Box Score GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University football team played solid defense in the opening half and led Colorado Mesa University 7-0 at the break. The Mavericks then exploded for 22 points in the third quarter and held on to defeat the Mustangs, 22-17, Saturday in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action inside Stocker Stadium.


Both teams struggled to get anything going on offense, although WNMU (1-4, 1-3 RMAC) moved the ball well in the first half. They netted 28 yards on their first drive before punting and later chewed up 43 yards before another punt early in the second quarter. The Mustangs looked to be in position to score with just over nine minutes to go in the half, but a 40-yard drive came to an end with a fumble at the CMU (4-2, 3-1 RMAC) 32.


That didn't stop the Mustang defense, as they quickly forced a three-and-out and had the offense back on the field at the WNMU 25. Following a short pass completion, Abe Macias broke free for a 12-yard run and a 15-yard face mask was added to the end of the play putting WNMU at the CMU 44. After a delay of game, Macias took another carry and bounced outside for 15 yards and a first down to the 34. WNMU continued to run the ball, as they would run it seven more times with the last coming from six yards out and Macias finding the end zone and after Josh McInitre connected on the extra point the Mustangs held a 7-0 lead with 3:13 to go in the half.


WNMU would nearly strike again before halftime. With 47 seconds left, Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) hit Ronnell Pompey (Los Angeles, CA/Fairfax Senior HS) for 39 yards to the CMU 31 with 22 seconds left. But an incompletion and later interception ended the drive sending the teams to the locker rooms with WNMU in front, 7-0.


The Mavericks then went to work in the third quarter. They took the opening drive of the half 74 yards and cashed in a 24-yard field goal leaving WNMU ahead, 7-3.
On the ensuing WNMU possession, the Mustangs went to punt, but on the punt attempt the ball was mishandled and Brandon Perkins (Tucson, AZ/Desert View ) was forced to run with the ball losing nine yards and turning the ball over on downs at the WNMU 32.


CMU turned that into a touchdown seven plays later and after the point after was missed they held their first lead of the game at 9-7 with 8:45 left in the third quarter.


The WNMU defense would come up with a big play a few minutes later, as CMU had the ball at their own 23 and after a seven yard rush, the ball was fumbled as Avery Crump (Los Angeles, CA/Verbum Dei) delivered the hit and then recovered the ball at the CMU 29.


WNMU would then be forced into a field goal on the ensuing possession as the Maverick defense held the Mustangs to zero yards making it a 47-yard attempt by McIntire that he connected on to move WNMU back in front, 10-9, with 4:40 left in the third.


CMU wasted little time regaining the lead, as they went 71 yards and 12 plays in just 1:53 and scored on a 28-yard touchdown pass and after the extra point took a 16-10 lead with still 2:40 left in the third.


The CMU defense would force another Mustang turnover on the very next snap after the kick return. With WNMU at their 30, Glasmann's pass was intercepted at the WNMU 36 and returned to the seven. The Mustangs defense would stop the first two attempts bringing up a third-and-goal at the three. CMU, who tried to score on the ground the first two times went to the air and Kaiser hit Rodriguez wide open in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed leaving the Mavs in front, 22-10 with 1:39 left in the third.


Turnovers were the big story of the game, as WNMU would turn the ball over on their next two possessions. With WNMU at the CMU 35, Glasmann was intercepted at the Mavs 16 and later with WNMU on the move at the CMU two for a third-and-goal, the Mustangs gave the ball to Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ), but the ball was forced loose before he could score and CMU recovered denying WNMU of any points.


With still 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, WNMU had time and they would keep coming at the Maverick defense.


The teams would trade possessions and with 5:27 left in the game and WNMU pinned at their own eight, they began to steadily move the ball. Glasmann hit Pompey with the first play of the drive for eight yards and then a face mask penalty was added to the end moving the ball out to the 31. Macias would then net seven yards on the ground and Glasmann would connect with tight end Brent Courtney (Oceanside CA/Carlsbad HS) over the middle for 15 yards to the CMU 47. Macias would take the next snap and rumble for nine yards to the 38. After an incompletion, Macias would pick up the third-and-one going for four yards to the 34. Later, on third-and-five, Glasmann found a wide open Larry Young after avoiding a near sack for 14 yards to the 15. Three incompletions brought up a fourth-and-10 at the CMU 15 and Glasmann found Pompey who made a great leaping catch for the touchdown to bring WNMU within five at 22-17 following the extra point.


With three minutes to play, WNMU needed a stop on defense. CMU would run the ball the first two plays to setup at third-and-three. WNMU used their first two timeouts to stop the clock and on third down, the Mavs went with a pass and gained 10 yards for a first down which forced WNMU to use their last timeout. The Mavs would gain another first down on the next play and run three more plays to run out the clock and hold on for the victory.


WNMU held the edge in total yards (434-346), passing yards (260-140) and time of possession (33:39-26:21). WNMU ended up with six turnovers, while CMU committed two. Macias rushed for 131 yards on 28 attempts with a touchdown. Glasmann completed 21-of-43 for 260 yards. Pompey had another big game going for over 100 yards with 120 on six catches, while Courtney also added six catches for 80 yards. Jerrald Hines (Los Angeles, CA/) tallied six solo tackles and three assists for nine total, while Blake Cuero (Houston, TX/Marshall) added nine as well with six assisted stops.


WNMU will return home this coming week when they will host Western State Colorado at 12 p.m. on Saturday at Altamirano Field. Western State defeated New Mexico Highlands, 33-27, earlier today.