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Shockhawks strike Mavericks

Skyhawks football ruins Colorado Mesa’s homecoming

The upset-minded Fort Lewis College Skyhawks were at it again Saturday night.

FLC traveled to Grand Junction and spoiled Colorado Mesa’s homecoming night with a 28-20 victory.

The Skyhawks (3-5, 2-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) went down 7-0 early but fought back to take a 21-7 halftime lead.

After the Mavericks (5-3, 4-2 RMAC) scored on a 31-yard touchdown run by R. Trinidad, FLC kick returner Juquelle Thompson returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown that tied the game.

The Skyhawks’ defense forced two three-and-outs on the next two Colorado Mesa drives, and some great running by FLC running back PJ Hall, as well as a pair of good runs by quarterback Jordan Doyle set the Skyhawks up with third-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

But FLC couldn’t punch the ball across the goal line, giving the Skyhawks two trips inside the Colorado Mesa 10-yard line without points. FLC also missed a 38-yard field goal on its first drive of the game.

But the scoring woes ended when FLC marched 43 yards to score on an 11-yard pass from Doyle to Thompson, giving the Skyhawks a 14-7 lead with 4 minutes, 51 seconds to go in the first half.

The Mavericks drove the ball down the field again, but FLC defensive lineman Ryan Ross intercepted an Andrew Cota pass and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown. However, the score would not count, as FLC was flagged for an illegal block in the back on the Colorado Mesa 4-yard line.

The offense made sure Ross’ effort wouldn’t be in vain, though, as Doyle scored four plays later on a 3-yard run to give FLC a 21-7 lead going into halftime.

Right out of the half, FLC intercepted Cota again; this time it was Kaulana Waalani-Arroyo, who intercepted the pass and returned it 30 yards. A penalty against Colorado Mesa on the play set the Skyhawks up on the Mavericks’ 25-yard line, and Hall broke a 24-yard touchdown run to put FLC up 28-7 with 13 minutes, 30 seconds to go in the third quarter.

Hall rushed for more than 100 yards for the third consecutive game, as he continues to bolster an FLC running game that struggled through the early stages of the season. He finished with 166 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries.

But FLC took a big hit halfway through the third quarter when Doyle left the game with a leg injury. He was carted off the field and did not return, and Trevor Bonifasi took his place.

Doyle finished the game 7-of-19 passing for 80 yards and one touchdown, and he ran for 101 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries.

After an FLC punt and Colorado Mesa return to the Skyhawks’ 45-yard line threatened to give the Mavericks some momentum, the FLC defensive showcase took another twist in the third quarter, as FLC backup quarterback-turned-defensive back Max Baiz intercepted Cota again for a touchback.

But, with Bonifasi in at quarterback, the Skyhawks’ offense struggled to move the ball, and Bonifasi was intercepted twice to set up Colorado Mesa scoring drives. The first was a 2-yard touchdown run by Daryl Hawkins, and the second was a 7-yard pass from Cota to DJ Hubbard, which made the game 28-20 in favor of FLC with 7:52 to play.

Bonifasi finished the game 1-of-8 passing for eight yards and two interceptions.

Cota led the Mavericks down the field on a desperation drive, but it came up just short as time expired. Colorado Mesa needed to drive 80 yards in 48 seconds, but it wasn’t enough time on homecoming night.

jlivingston@durangoherald.com

The Pack is back

ARVADA – No. 12 CSU-Pueblo (7-1, 5-1 RMAC) beat No. 11 Colorado Mines Orediggers (7-1, 5-1 RMAC) 20-12 in a matchup of the top two teams in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference on Saturday.

CSU-Pueblo held the Orediggers to 349 total yards, well below their averages of 563.4 yards and 44.6 points per game.

The ThunderWolves had 357 yards of offense, led by running back Cameron McDondle’s game-high 134 rushing yards and one touchdown. It was McDondle’s fifth consecutive 100-yard rushing game and sixth of the season. ThunderWolves wide receiver Kieren Duncan totaled 129 yards and one touchdown receiving.

ThunderWolves defensive linemen Darius Allen and Tony Campton combined for four sacks and two forced fumbles.

Colorado Mines placekicker and Durango High School alumnus Avery Llewellyn was 2-for-3 in field goals, including a 47-yarder.

The two teams now are tied atop the conference, two games ahead of Colorado Mesa, which lost to Fort Lewis College late Saturday in Grand Junction.

Chadron State 33, Black Hills State 28

CHADRON, Neb. – A feisty Yellow Jackets team was a tough customer for the Eagles.

Chadron State (5-3, 4-2 RMAC) survived a scare from Black Hills State (2-6, 1-5 RMAC), thanks to three second-half field goals from kicker Randy Wentz.

Ward Anderson led Black Hills State with 49 rushing yards and one touchdown, while passing for 405 yards and three touchdowns on a 29-of-55 passing day. He was intercepted twice.

Adams State 41, N.M. Highlands 34

ALAMOSA – The Grizzlies battled from a 14-point first quarter deficit to tie the game at halftime and take a seven-point win Saturday.

Adams State (3-5, 2-4 RMAC) rallied to win at home thanks to a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ryan Holland with 2 minutes, 20 seconds to play against N.M. Highlands (3-5, 3-3 RMAC).

Kirt Terry-Springs led the Cowboys’ receivers with 116 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches.

Western N.M. 48, Western State 38

GUNNISON – Late defense and steady offense led the Mustangs to a big road win against the Mountaineers.

Western N.M. scored 41 points in the final three quarters to win, despite Austin Ekeler’s 254 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the loss.

Marques Rodgers led the Mustangs with 138 yards and one score on the ground. Mitch Glassman was 39-of-54 passing for 400 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Mustangs.

Mustangs’ wide receiver Donald Byrd had a big day with 135 yards on 15 receptions.

FLC will host Western State at noon Saturday at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.

heraldsports@durangoherald.com

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