GUNNISON, Colo.  The 11th-ranked Mountaineers will look to start a new win streak Saturday with Chadron State University's visit to the Mountaineer Bowl on Senior Day for Western Colorado football.

A pre-game ceremony will honor Stevie Byron, Dylan Cardenas, Jeromiah Garmon, Jordan Greager, Zac Heaton, Braeden Hogan, Jack Jones, Kendall Lightfoot, Bryce Lucas, Lazavier Moore, Swanson Nunnery, Cole Riters, Ethan Sanchez-Maxwell, Corey Scranton, Cy Shope, Tanner Tomlinson and Sage Yazzie at midfield as they line up for their final regular season home game.

WESTERN COLORADO HEADING INTO THE GAME | 2024 Stats

• Western suffered a 10-point loss last weekend to visiting and then-No. 10 Colorado State Pueblo, ending an eight-game win streak and sliding the Mountaineers down three spots in both the national Division II polls to No. 11.
• The result also shifted Western to No. 4 in the Super Region 4 rankings, still in a spot to earn a bid into the 28-team D-II tournament, and with the opportunity to again host a first-round game at the Mountaineer Bowl.
• The results last weekend were uncharacteristic of both the offense and defense, which rank in the top three within the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's leaders. The defense is averaging just 20 points allowed per game (third in the RMAC), rank first in rushing yards allowed (71/game), and lead the league in sacks with 31.
• Western is second in the RMAC in scoring at 38 points per game, and third in both rushing (185 YPG) and passing (269 YPG).
• Within individual RMAC statistics, Hogan's 69 YPG rushing (with 6 TDs) is fifth in the league while quarterback Drew Nash is second in the RMAC in passing at 235 YPG (with 18 TDs). Two of Nash's targets, Josiah Ayon (50 YPG, 7 TD) and Daniel Parsek (43 YPG, 3 TD), rank 8th and 10th, respectively, in receiving yards.
• Defensive lineman Ricky Freymond tops his peers on defense in tackles for loss (16.5 for minus 76 yards) and sacks (8.5 for minus 51 yads).
• The Mountaineers are 5-17 since the 2000 season against the Eagles, but Western has won the last four meetings, including last year's 35-17 win in Chadron, Neb.

CHADRON STATE COMING INTO THE GAME | 2024 Stats

• The Eagles bring a 3-6 overall record and 2-5 mark into Saturday's game. Their two conference wins were by large margins, 49 points in a win over Adams State and 42 points in a victory over Fort Lewis.
• Chadron has dropped its most recent two games by narrow margins. It lost a 21-18 decision to Black Hills State two weeks ago, and a 24-17 loss to South Dakota Mines last Saturday,
• The defense has been a strong side of the game for the Eagles. It is allowing just 17 PPG, second least in the RMAC, and only 136 passing yards per game, also second least. Opponents have found some success on the ground, though, rushing for 136 YPG, seventh most in the conference.
• Aside from the two 50-point wins over ASU and FLC, the offense has had to grind out yardage. The Eagles are scoring just 23 PPG (7th in the RMAC), are rushing for 120 YPG (8th) and passing for 185 YPG (6th).
• Quarterback DJ Ralph is averaging 155 yards passing per game, middle of the pack in the league, and has thrown for 8 touchdowns while tossing 3 interceptions.
• On the ground its Jake Marschall toting the rock for 155 YPG, which is sixth highest in the conference. He has a long of 34 yards and has run to paydirt 3 times this season.
• The Eagles' second-ranked pass defense has been spearheaded by defensive back Dax Yeradi, who is tied for the league lead in interceptions with four.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers will close out their regular season schedule next Saturday with a trip to Colorado Mesa University for an RMAC game with the host Mavericks.