SILVER CITY, N.M. – Coming off of an impressive second half performance in the win against Western State, the Western New Mexico University football team will look to carry that momentum into this Saturday's matchup with Adams State University with a 12 p.m. kickoff at Altamirano Field.
The Mustangs used a 28-0 run to come back from a 31-20 deficit to claim the 48-38 victory. ASU (3-5, 2-4 RMAC) has collected a pair of wins over Black Hills State (37-27) and this past weekend at home over New Mexico Highlands (41-38). Last season the Grizzlies claimed a 41-20 win in Alamosa. ASU has won the last six games in the series as the last Mustang victory came in Alamosa back in 2007, 16-14.
The Grizzlies are led on the ground by starting quarterback Auston Hillman who has 359 yards on 67 attempts and three scores. He has thrown for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 10 interceptions. Phil Romero is the top receiver hauling in 14 passes for 355 yards and five TDs. The defense is led by Connor Stevens who has 73 tackles, 45 solo, 10 for loss and three sacks. John Reed adds 70 stops.
The Mustangs have scored 35 offensive touchdowns this season and have been led by quarterback
Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) who has thrown for 2,593 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 196-of-366. He is just 283 yards short of breaking last year's passing total. He collected the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his 400-yard, four touchdown game against the Mountaineers.
Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly) remains the top threat as he is approaching 1,000 yards receiving with 944 yards on 63 catches and nine scores.
Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra),
Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) and
Larry Young II (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) all have three TDs apiece. On the ground, Rodgers has gone for 781 yards on 142 attempts with three scores.
Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ) (2),
Shiane Tupua (Oceanside, CA/Banning) (2),
Preston Blincoe (El Centro, CA/Imperial) (1),
Michael Coe (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) (1) and Glasmann (1) have all added rushing touchdowns.
On defense,
Zachary Dembrowski (Lake Elsinore/Elsinore HS) (47),
Kristian King (Redlands, CA/Redlands East Valley) (42),
Cody Hawkins (Show Low, AZ/Show Low) (40) and
Brandon Perkins (Tucson, AZ/Desert View ) (40) all have over 40 tackles. Dembrowski leads in tackles for loss (7.5),
Anthony Avina (Lake Elsinore, CA/Lakeside HS) leads in sacks (4.5),
Darius Guillory (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) leads in interceptions (3), Perkins leads in passes broken up and defended (both 6), while King has three fumble recoveries.
In terms of NCAA national rankings. The WNMU offense is ranked 16
th in yards per game (490.4), 18
th in first downs (198), 11
th in passing offense per game (334.1). Glasmann is eighth in passing yards, 11
th in passing yards per game and fifth in passing TDs. Byrd is fifth in receiving yards, fifth in yards per game, tied for 10
th in receiving touchdowns and ninth in receptions per game. King remains tied for fourth in fumble recoveries.
Live stats, audio and video will be available for the game.
