The Colorado Mesa University Mavericks football team lost to the Western Colorado Mountaineers 31-17 Saturday at Stocker Stadium, extending their losing streak against Western to seven straight games. Turnovers in the second quarter significantly contributed to the defeat.
Colorado Mesa started the game strong, moving the ball effectively early on. Quarterback Liu Aumavae connected with Bryson Brown, advancing into Mountaineer territory. The Mavericks then scored the first points of the game with a field goal from Kale Purvis.
Western Colorado quickly responded, getting near the Mavericks’ end zone with its option game. A handoff to Damien Nevil put Western ahead 7-3. The Mavericks' air attack found success again, with Aumavae connecting with tight end Colton Mills-Younger. Ky Oday then scored a touchdown on a jet sweep, giving Colorado Mesa a 10-7 lead.
However, Western's offense maintained its pace. Quarterback Josiah Roy gained significant yards on a quarterback keeper before faking a handoff and connecting with Caden Measner for a touchdown. Despite good defensive play from Colorado Mesa on the throw, Measner made the catch, and Western retook the lead.
In the second quarter, Western sought to increase its score. Roy attempted another run but was stopped by Noah Williams for little gain. Colorado Mesa's offense then returned to the field needing points. Aumavae found Alex Turpin, who fought for extra yards. During this play, a group of Western players converged on Turpin, and the ball came out. Both teams scrambled for it, and Western initially appeared to recover the fumble. Following conflicting calls on the field, a review confirmed Western’s recovery. The Mountaineers capitalized on this turnover, converting the possession into a field goal.
Adding to the Mavericks' woes, they turned the ball over a second time on a kickoff return immediately after Western's field goal. Western Colorado once again converted this miscue into points, completing a 17-point second quarter that ultimately powered them to the 31-17 victory.
Colorado Mesa managed one more touchdown later in the game, with Aumavae throwing to Bronco Hartson, but it was not enough to overcome Western's dominant second quarter. The loss ties the longest losing streak between the two teams, matching a period from 1994 to 1999, during which the teams played twice in the 1994 season.
With this defeat, Colorado Mesa's conference record falls to 1-1, and their overall record stands at 2-2. The Mavericks will travel next week to face the reigning conference champion, the CSU Pueblo Thunderwolves.
During halftime, the Colorado Mesa women’s basketball team was recognized for their achievements, including reaching the NCAA Division II Final Four last season and setting program records. The team received championship rings in front of a packed Stocker Stadium, with Olivia Reed-Thyne, the team’s leader in points and rebounds, among those honored.
