GUNNISON, Colo. – In a game that came down to the wire last year in Silver City, what will happen this Saturday when the Western New Mexico University football team travels to Gunnison to face Western State Colorado University with a 1 p.m. kickoff at the Mountaineer Bowl.

The Mustangs held a 28-14 lead last year at halftime against the Mountaineers before watching WSCU come back to take a 34-28 lead early in the fourth quarter. WNMU would rally with touchdown passes to Larry Young II (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) and Ronnell Pompey to come away with the 42-34 victory.

So far this season, WSCU (3-4, 2-3 RMAC) has two conference victories, but could have easily come away with two more. They had then undefeated CSU-Pueblo on the ropes back on Sep. 20 before the ThunderWolves escaped with the 26-23 victory. This past weekend, the Mountaineers took a late lead against New Mexico Highlands before the Cowboys came back to tie the game and after a fumble on the kickoff return, hit a game-winning field goal. They have home victories in conference against Adams State (39-37) and Black Hills State (34-13).

It all starts with running back Austin Ekeler. He has 1,052 net rushing yards with nine touchdowns and a long scamper of 80 on 188 attempts. He has also caught 28 passes for 293 yards and a score. Quarterback Brett Arrivey has completed over 60 percent of his passes (155-255) for nine touchdowns to eight interceptions. Travis Haney leads the team in receptions (35), yards (374) and is tied in TDs (2).

Jaden Terry leads the defense with 63 total tackles, including 36 solo. Gerald Coleman has four interceptions, while Thomas Chavira has five sacks.

The Mustangs have won the last four meetings in the series as WSCU's last win in the series came back in 2009 in Silver City (38-19).

Like the Mountaineers, WNMU (2-5, 1-4 RMAC) has had their far share of close games that have come down to the wire this season. In just the past two weeks alone WNMU came back to tie then No. 16 Colorado Mines late in the fourth quarter before falling on a game-winning TD drive. This past weekend against Colorado Mesa, the Mustangs held a fourth quarter lead before the Mavericks used touchdowns from their special teams and defense to come away with the 10-point victory.

The Mustang offense has accumulated 3,349 yards and 28 touchdowns this year. Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) posted this third 100-yard performance on the ground last week going for a season-high 166 net yards. He has 643 yards on the season on 122 attempts and two scores. All-RMAC Academic First-Team selection Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ) has rushed for 275 yards on 53 attempts and a TD. Preston Blincoe (El Centro, CA/Imperial), Michael Coe (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) and Shiane Tupua (Oceanside, CA/Banning) have all added TDs. In the passing game, Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) has thrown for 2,193 yards, completing 157-of-312 which includes 22 TD. Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly) remains the main target going for 809 yards on 48 catches and nine touchdowns. Rodgers and Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) are tied for second in terms of receiving touchdowns with three apiece. Marcus Smith (San Diego, CA/Mira Mesa HS), Willie Bobbit (Downey, CA/Downey) and Young II have added two each. Young II has two catches this season with both resulting in scores.

On defense, Zachary Dembrowski (Lake Elsinore/Elsinore HS) leads the way with 43 tackles, with 6.5 coming for loss. He also has 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Anthony Avina (Lake Elsinore, CA/Lakeside HS) leads the team in sacks with 4.5, while Darius Guillory (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) has three interceptions. Kristian King (Redlands, CA/Redlands East Valley) leads the team with three fumble recoveries. As a team this season, WNMU has recovered seven fumbles and tallied five interceptions.

In terms of NCAA national rankings:

Glasmann is 11^th in passing yards per game (313.3), ninth in passing yards (2,193)
Byrd is tied for eighth in receiving TD (9), seventh in receiving yards (809), eighth in receiving yards per game (115.6)
King is tied for fourth in fumble recoveries (3)
As a team, WNMU ranks 24^th in the nation in total offense per game (478.4), 13^th in passing offense per game (324.7)

Live stats, video and audio will be available for the game.