Box Score SILVER CITY, N.M. – With under four minutes to play in the game, a 24-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) to Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly) had the Western New Mexico University football team ahead by four. Colorado Mesa University rallied behind their special teams and defense, as both produced touchdowns over the final few minutes to give the Mavericks the 45-35 win over the Mustangs Saturday in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.

Trailing by three with six minutes to play, the Mustangs (2-5, 1-4 RMAC) would answer the Mavericks' (5-2, 4-1 RMAC) score in the fourth quarter. Facing a third-and-six from the WNMU 43, Glasmann hit Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ) near the far sidelines and he plowed ahead for a seven yard gain and first down to midfield. Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) then chewed up the next 26 yards on two carries, as he would end up with 166 yards on the ground a new season high and the third time he has eclipsed 100 yards this year. Glasmann then hit Byrd with a quick pass to the near sideline and matched up one-on-one with the cornerback, he made a quick move and blew by him down the sidelines for the 24-yard TD to give WNMU the 35-31 lead at the 3:46 mark.

The Mustang defense came through with a quick three-and-out on the ensuing Maverick possession that included a sack by both Anthony Avina (Lake Elsinore, CA/Lakeside HS) and Zachary Dembrowski (Lake Elsinore/Elsinore HS). The punt would travel 59 yards leaving WNMU at their 31. With just 2:45 to play, WNMU would rush the ball on the first two downs netting four yards. On third down, the pass was incomplete down the middle to Byrd leaving it fourth-and-six. The Mustangs lined up to punt, but as Josh McIntire (El Cajon, CA/West Hills) went to kick Tom Saager came free from the right side of the line to block the kick and it would land in the arms of Turmour Battle who would return the blocked punt 43 yards for a TD to push CMU ahead, 38-35, with 1:40 to play.

The Mustangs still had time to come back with the ball at the WNMU 25. Quickly faced with a fourth-and-five at the 30, Glasmann tried to find a receiver but couldn't and his pass would be intercepted by Marcus Cross of the Mavericks and returned 30 yards for the TD to give the Mavericks a 45-35 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

CMU took the opening kickoff and would find the end zone for the early 7-0 lead. Later in the quarter, WNMU would respond with a nine play, 73 yard drive that was capped on a six-yard pass to Larry Young II (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) in the end zone. Rodgers was big on the drive accounting for 57 yards, including big runs of 18, 21 and 15.

The Mavericks would respond scoring the next two touchdowns to open a 21-7 lead in the second quarter. Midway through the second, the Mustangs began to make their comeback before halftime. Glasmann would hit Byrd for 14 yards, Willie Bobbit (Downey, CA/Downey) for 20 and then Marcus Smith (San Diego, CA/Mira Mesa HS) for 20 more down to the CMU 16. After a Rodgers three-yard run, Glasmann again would find Young II in the back of the end zone, this time for a 13-yard score making it a 21-14 contest at the 2:24 mark.

The defense would force a three-and-out, giving the offense the ball back at the WNMU 39. A roughing the passer penalty would move the ball into CMU territory that would setup a third-and-11 pass from Glasmann that he put right on the money to Bobbit for a 37-yard score to tie the game going into halftime.

WNMU almost had a chance to score before halftime, as Avery Crump (Los Angeles, CA/Verbum Dei) would come up with an interception on a tipped pass near midfield, but the Mavericks would knock a pass down in the end zone.

The only scoring in the third quarter would be a field goal by CMU as they would hold a 24-21 lead going into the fourth.

WNMU would take the lead for the first time following a nine play, 80 yard drive that was capped by a one-yard rush by Shiane Tupua (Oceanside, CA/Banning) to give the Mustangs a 28-24 advantage. On the drive, Byrd had a big catch for 39 yards and CMU prolonged the drive early with another roughing the passer penalty on a third down to keep the drive alive.

That would then lead to the crazy back-and-forth finish down the stretch.

WNMU held a 475-to-409 edge in total yards, including a 290-to-214 advantage through the air. Both teams nearly rushed for 200 yards, with CMU going for 195 and WNMU 185.

Rodgers tallied his big day on 27 attempts and had a long carry of 21. He averaged 6.1 yards per attempt. Glasmann completed 19-of-38 for 290 and four touchdowns. Byrd caught six passes for 97 yards and a score, while Bobbit added four catches for 98 yards and a TD.

Anthony Phillips (Houston, TX/Dobie HS) led the defense with nine tackles, six solo, along with several pass breakups.

Daryl Hawkins led the Mavericks on the ground going for 67 yards and three TD. Andrew Cota passed for 210 yards.

WNMU will hit the road this coming week as they will travel to Gunnison to face Western State Colorado University with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday.