SILVER CITY, N.M. – Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) and
Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) were close to breaking a pair of conference records on Homecoming, but it wasn't to be as the No. 8 Colorado School of Mines Orediggers claimed the 51-24 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory over the Western New Mexico University football team Saturday afternoon.
Glasmann finished with 365 passing yards putting him just 44 yards from setting the RMAC career passing yards record. Ayers nearly set an RMAC single game receiving mark as he had 250 yards finishing just 68 from setting the mark.
With a game that was expected to be an offensive shootout didn't start that way in the early going. With teams trading punts in the first quarter, WNMU (2-4, 1-3 RMAC) broke the seal with five minutes to go in the opening quarter when
Josh McIntire (El Cajon, CA/West Hills) connected on a 42-yard field goal for the 3-0 lead.
After that, CSM (6-0, 4-0 RMAC) had an offensive explosion in the second quarter. They would go on to pile up 28 points in the frame and take a 28-3 lead into halftime.
The Mustangs refused to go away in the second half, as after the Orediggers scored another touchdown to expand the lead to 35-3, WNMU came through with some big plays that found the end zone.
Glasmann threw a screen pass out to
Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) who lined up as a receiver and he took it 62 yards down the sidelines for the score leaving it 35-10 with nine minutes to play in the third quarter.
The offense would strike quickly once again on the next possession, going 97 yards on two plays with 75 yards coming on a Glasmann strike to Ayers down the middle for the touchdown and a 35-17 game with still five minutes to go in the third quarter.
That would be as close as the Mustangs would get however, with CSM coming back with a three play, 75-yard drive to open up a 41-17 lead.
The final Mustang tally would come early in the fourth quarter when another big play went for a touchdown. This time it would be a trick play as Glasmann threw a lateral back to
Michael Ball (Rowland Heights, CA/Rowland) who then threw it down field to Ayers who was wide open for the 75 yard touchdown leaving CSM in front, 48-24.
The Orediggers would add a field goal the rest of the way to provide the final margin of 51-24.
The offenses began to catch fire and it showed up in the stats. CSM tallied 638 yards, while WNMU recorded 466. Both teams threw for over 400 yards with CSM holding the 484-440 advantage. On the ground, the Orediggers outgained the Mustangs, 154-26.
Glasmann completed 31-of-52 for 365 yards and two touchdowns. Ayers caught 13 of those passes for 250 yards and two scores. Rodgers added nine catches for 125 yards and a score. On the ground Rodgers went for 18 yards on 11 attempts and
Tracy McNair (San Diego, CA/Morse) added 17 yards on two carries.
James Nelson (Los Angeles, CA/Long Beach Poly) and
Darius Guillory (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) led in tackles with eight apiece. Juwan Sumper had three more pass breakups, while
Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) came through with the only turnover in the game an interception in which he returned 19 yards.
Ronald Nickerson III (Santa Ana, CA/Mater Dei) had the only sack for the Mustangs.
Justin Dvorak, the dual-threat for the Orediggers was at it again. He threw for 484 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 63 yards and a score, both led the team. His top targets were Ty Young who had 192 yards and three scores, while Cole Spurgeon brought in 128 yards and a touchdown. Drew Stephon had a game-high 11 tackles to lead CSM.
WNMU will be on the road this coming Saturday as they will play at Colorado Mesa beginning at 1 p.m. The Mavericks defeated New Mexico Highlands, 31-6, earlier today.
