ALAMOSA, Colo . – Behind a strong defensive effort, the Western New Mexico University football team snapped a five-game slide with a 36-20 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory over Adams State University Saturday.

The Mustang defense limited the Grizzlies to just 393 yards of total offense, recorded three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown and were strong on third down holding the Grizzlies to just three conversions on 13 attempts.

Before Saturday's game, WNMU (3-6, 2-5 RMAC) had just two total interceptions on the season before exploding for three. Xavier Goodloe (Spring Valley, CA/Steele Canyon), James Nelson (Los Angeles, CA/Long Beach Poly) and Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) all brought down interceptions, with Wilson's being returned for a score.

A defensive stand started the game off right away for the Mustangs forcing ASU (3-6, 3-4 RMAC) to a field goal attempt that would be missed. That sparked the offense to march 67 yards on seven plays that was finished off by Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) as he went in for the 14-yard touchdown for the 7-0 WNMU lead midway through the opening quarter.

ASU then came back with the next two scores, first a 24-yard field goal and then a 69-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to put the Grizzlies in front, 10-7, midway through the second quarter.

Another key stat for the Mustang defense on the day was their solid play in the red zone. Although the Grizzlies scored on three-of-four trips inside the 20, only one went for a touchdown.

Trailing for the first time, WNMU responded with the next drive getting close to pay dirt before settling for a 32-yard field goal by Josh McIntire (El Cajon, CA/West Hills) to tie the game at 10 with five minutes to play before halftime.

WNMU nearly took the lead into halftime as they got inside the Grizzly 10, but time ran out leaving the game tied at 10 at the break.

The Mustangs wasted little time breaking the tie for good at the start of the second half. Receiving the ball first, WNMU went right down the field in nine plays, chewing up 75 yards that was finished off by a Gordy Longville (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge) one-yard run for the 17-10 lead.

ASU would come back with a field goal from 41 yards out, but the Mustang offense continued with the momentum out of halftime. Another 75-yard drive took place on the ensuing possession with Rodgers scampering in from three-yards out for the 23-13 WNMU lead with six minutes to play in the third quarter.

The Grizzlies made things interesting late in the quarter as they were able to engineer a 75-yard drive of their own to pull back to within three at 23-20 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

WNMU would make it three straight drives that ended in touchdowns out of halftime as they took the next drive another 75 yards and finished it off when Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) rushed for a nine-yard touchdown on the 12^th play of the drive to move the lead back to 10 at 30-20.

ASU had another decent drive going a few minutes later, but the Mustang defense buckled and forced a field goal attempt that would be missed. The Grizzlies threatened again with just a few minutes left in the game when Nelson recorded his interception near the end zone to help seal the win for WNMU.

For good measure, Wilson picked off a pass as time expired and returned it 32-yards for the touchdown to provide the final margin of 36-20.

WNMU held the 485-to-393 advantage in total yards, including a 329-to-287 edge through the air and a 156-to-106 advantage on the ground.

Rodgers had another big game as he had 246 all-purpose yards. He rushed for 144 yards on 29 carries and a pair of touchdowns, while catching five passes for 102 yards. Glasmann completed 22-of-38 for 329 yards and for only the second time in his career he didn't have a passing touchdown. Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) was his top target with nine catches for 111 yards. Ayers now has 1,198 receiving yards on the season which puts him just 43 yards from tying Ronnell Pompey's 1,241 receiving yards in 2013 which is the most by a Mustang since WNMU moved to Division II in 1992-93.

Outside of the interceptions on defense, Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) led the team in tackles with eight, including three solo stops. Leo Marin (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) posted seven tackles, three solo and Wilson has six tackles and a sack in addition to his interception.

WNMU will now return home for senior day this coming Saturday at noon against Chadron State College. The Eagles lost at home today to New Mexico Highlands, 24-16.