By Con Marshall BOX SCORE
Colorado Mesa scored the first 38 points and Chadron State the final 22 in a rather bizarre Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football game played in Grand Junction on Saturday afternoon.
The Mavericks led 17-0 at halftime and scored 21 more points in the first 3 minutes and 35 seconds of the third quarter after intercepting three consecutive passes and turning them into touchdowns.
About three minute later the Eagles used a turnover to jump-start a rally. Defensive end Gabe Perkins forced a fumble that linebacker Joey Geil took 65 yards to the Mesa 15-yard line. Three plays later substitute quarterback Mason Hamilton scored on a 13-yard run.
On the Mavericks’ ensuing possession, Chadron State’s All-American defender Hunter O’Connor sacked the Mesa quarterback, forcing a punt. On the Eagles’ first play after taking possession at midfield, Hamilton connected with wide receiver Brodie Roden deep downfield on a pass that resulted in a 51-yard touchdown. It cut Mesa’s lead to 38-14 following Wilson Yee’s conversion kick.
Chadron State closed the gap some more two minutes into the fourth period when running back James Marschall scored on a one-yard plunge. The opportunity was set up when true freshman Tucker Peterson stole a Mesa pass at the Mavs’ 28-yard line. CSC added a two-point conversion when its punter and placekick-holder, Brodie Eisenbraun, ran the ball into the end zone.
It appeared that Eagles were going to score again with about six minutes remaining when a 19-yard pass thrown by wide receiver Simeon Marton was on target to fellow wideout Rollin George in the end zone, but at the last instant was broken up by Mesa linebacker LaMarkus Reed.
The Mavericks, now 5-5 overall and 4-4 in the RMAC, dominated the first half, picking up 13 first downs and gaining 237 total net yards while limiting the Eagles to just five first downs and 70 yards.
Mesa initially scored on the final play of the first quarter by completing an 11-play, 95-yard drive when Keyshawn Ashford went the last two yards. After Henry Katleman, who also added the extra point all five Mesa TDs, had kicked a 27-yard field goal with 8:22 left in the second period, Ashford scored again with six seconds remaining before halftime on a one-yard tote. It came on the next play after quarterback Gavin Herberg had connected with his leading receiver, David O’Connell, on a 40-yard pass.
Chadron State got first possession of the ball in the second half. Misfortune struck the visitors almost immediately.
On the second play, quarterback Preston Pearson’s pass was intercepted by Mesa cornerback Ja’Carl Williams, who returned the pick 23 yards to the CSC 25. Three plays later, Herberg hit Keenan Brown with a 13-yard pass in the end zone.
Williams, who is just 5-7, also swiped the initial pass on the Eagles’ next possession and this time took the pigskin 40 yards to the goal line for another touchdown. Only 80 seconds later, the Mavericks scored again after linebacker Colin Stuhr had intercepted a third CSC pass at the Eagles’ 23 and Herberg raced to the end zone on the ensuing play.
Herberg was both the game’s leading passer and rusher. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 192 yards and carried 10 times for 46 yards. O’Connell caught five passes for 94 yards to lead the receivers.
The Mavericks finished with 333 total net yards
Chadron State finished with 281 yards. Hamilton, seeing his most action of the season, completed 12 of 22 passes for 162 yards. His 51-yard touchdown pass to Roden was the game’s longest play. Roden finished with five receptions for 72 yards and returned three kickoffs 43 yards. Jeydon Cox caught four passes for 51 yards out of the backfield.
Linebacker Logan O’Brien led Chadron State in tackles with nine, one more than both Reed Henkel and O’Conner made. Peterson added seven to go with his interception.
The Eagles are now 4-6 for the season and 3-5 in the conference. They’ll wrap up the schedule this Saturday by hosting South Dakota Mines for a noon kickoff.
CSC CMU
First Downs 15 19
Total Net Yards 281 333
Rushes, Yards 31-80 46-141
Passing Yards 201 192
Passing 16-34-4 15-24-1
Return Yards 152 100
Punts. Average 4-43.1 6-41.0
Fumbles, Lost 2-1 2-1
Penalties, Yards 8-93 8-71
Chadron State 0 0 14 8 —22
Colorado Mesa 7 10 21 0 —38
CMU—Keyshawn Ashford 2 run (Henry Katleman) kick.
CMU—Katleman 27 field goal.
CMU—Ashford 1 run (Katleman kick)
CMU—Keenan Brown 13 pass from Gavin Herberg (Katleman kick)
CMU—JaCarl Williams 40 interception return (Katleman kick)
CMU—Herberg 23 run (Katleman kick)
CSC—Mason Hamilton 13 run (Wilson Yee kick)
CSC—Brodie Roden 51 pass from Hamilton (Yee kick)
CSC—Jake Marschall 1 run (Brodie Eisenbraun run)