DURANGO, Colo. – Plagued by turnovers and big plays, the Western New Mexico University football team was held to 13 points as Fort Lewis College claimed the 34-13 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Ray Dennison Stadium.

FLC (4-1, 3-0 RMAC) got started early after holding WNMU (2-3, 1-2 RMAC) to a punt on the opening drive, the Skyhawks marched 14-plays and 80-yards in 5:39 to take the 7-0 lead following a six-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Doyle to Esley Simmons.

The turnover bug hit for the first time on the ensuing drive for the Mustangs. WNMU had momentum on the drive after a big 31-yard pass from Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) to Larry Young II (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) had the ball in FLC territory. But when the drive stalled near the 20, the Mustangs went for it on fourth down and the Skyhawks came away with an interception near the goal line.

The Mustang defense held, but then on the next WNMU drive, the Skyhawk defense forced another turnover with Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) fumbling at the WNMU 40. The Mustang defense continued to respond and came up with at the time the big swing in the game.

FLC looked poised to take a two score lead, moving down to the WNMU 2, but were faced with fourth-and-goal. They went for it and Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) came up with the stop at the one-yard line on PJ Hall to turn the ball over on downs.

Rodgers then made sure to cash in right away for the Mustangs. Following a short seven-yard pass to Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque), Rodgers got loose for a 92-yard run to tie the game at seven midway through the second quarter.

Big plays found the Skyhawks on the next drive that was capped with a 31-yard Hall run to put them back in front, 14-7. FLC would go on to tally 10 more points, seven coming after a WNMU turnover to take a 24-7 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, WNMU looked to have the momentum going their way as the defense forced a punt and the offense took over near midfield. But, like earlier in the game, the turnover bug showed up again and the Skyhawk defense came away with an interception after the Mustangs had moved into Skyhawk territory.

FLC would tally the first points of the second half as they recorded another interception and returned it back to the WNMU 25. On the next snap, Allen Thigpen went 25 yards for the score to make it a 31-7 game near the midway point of the third quarter.

Juwan Sumpter (Fallbrook, CA/Fallbrook HS) came up with a big play on the next Mustang defensive stop as he was able to force a turnover off a Doyle run and recover it out near midfield. Sumpter posted a game-high 11 tackles.

The Skyhawks, though, responded with their own defensive stand to force a WNMU punt. Early in the fourth quarter, WNMU found the end zone for the first time in the second half with Glasmann finding Rodgers for 27 yards and the touchdown. It capped a 10-play, 86-yard drive. The ensuing two-point try failed leaving FLC in front, 31-13.
The Skyhawks would go on to tally a field goal in the remaining time and take the 34-13 victory.

FLC outgained WNMU, 480-380, and held the big 6-1 turnover differential. FLC used a strong rushing attack, going for 345 yards. Rodgers had another solid game as he rushed for 202 yards on 21 carries and the 92-yard TD run. He also added 25 yards on six catches and a touchdown to give him both WNMU touchdowns and 227 all-purpose yards. Glasmann completed 23-of-42 for 188 yards and a touchdown. Ayers snagged eight passes for 81 yards, while Young II added five catches for 58 yards.

The WNMU defense was led by Sumpter's 11 stops, with six coming solo. Barry added 10 tackles and six solo, while Aaron Leauma (San Marcos, CA/Mission Hills) and Darius Guillory (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) had nine stops each, with Leauma posting six solo and a sack.

Hall led the Skyhawks with 190 rushing yards and a touchdown. Dual-threat quarterback Doyle added 115 yards on the ground and also threw for 129 yards and two scores.

WNMU will now get set for Homecoming this Saturday against No. 11 Colorado School of Mines beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Orediggers (5-0, 3-0 RMAC) dominated New Mexico Highlands, 51-6, earlier today.