Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference 1867 Austin Bluffs Parkway --- Suite 101 --- Colorado Springs, Colo. 80918 Contact: Sarah Meier (719) 471-4936 or [email protected] Contact: Dan Johnson (719) 471-4936 or [email protected] www.rmacsports.org
RMAC Football Week 5 September 26, 2011 RMAC/Rawlings Players of the Week
2011 RMAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS Institution Colorado St.-Pueblo Nebraska-Kearney New Mexico Highlands Chadron State Colorado Mines Western New Mexico Adams State Colorado Mesa Fort Lewis Western State
RMAC W-L Pct. 2-0 1.000 2-0 1.000 2-0 1.000 2-0 1.000 1-1 0.500 1-1 0.500 0-2 0.000 0-2 0.000 0-2 0.000 0-2 0.000
Upcoming Games October 1 Fort Lewis at Colorado Mines * N.M. Highlands at Western State * Western N.M. at Colorado Mesa * Nebraska-Kearney at Adams State * CSU-Pueblo at Chadron State *
For 33.5 53.5 40.5 14.5 30.5 23.5 12.0 24.0 8.5 10.5
Opp 5.5 12.0 36.0 10.0 30.5 22.0 17.0 46.5 36.5 35.0
Overall W-L Pct. 4-0 1.000 4-0 1.000 4-0 1.000 2-2 0.500 3-1 0.750 2-2 0.500 2-2 0.500 1-3 0.250 1-3 0.250 0-4 0.000
For 33.5 53.3 46.0 23.8 37.3 23.0 20.8 25.8 19.5 10.0
Opp 8.8 13.5 30.5 25.0 17.0 25.5 15.5 38.0 40.3 37.3
Last Week’s Results 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1:30 PM
October 6 Colorado Mines at CSU-Pueblo * 6 PM National TV - CBS College Sports Network October 8 Chadron State at Nebraska-Kearney * Colorado Mesa at Fort Lewis * Western State at Western N.M. * Adams State at N.M. Highlands *
12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m.
October 15 CSU-Pueblo at Nebraska-Kearney * N.M. Highlands at Chadron State * Colorado Mines at Colorado Mesa * Fort Lewis at Western State * Western N.M. at Adams State *
1 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m.
October 22 Western State at Colorado Mines * Chadron State at Western N.M. * Adams State at Fort Lewis * Neb.-Kearney at N.M. Highlands * Colorado Mesa at CSU-Pueblo *
12 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m.
October 29 Western N.M. at Nebraska-Kearney * Fort Lewis at Chadron State * Colorado Mines at Adams State * Colorado Mesa at Western State * CSU-Pueblo at N.M. Highlands
1 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m.
September 24 CSU-Pueblo 47, Fort Lewis 0 * N.M. Highlands 41, Colorado Mesa 38 * Nebraska-Kearney 55, Western State 14 * Colorado Mines 27, Western N.M. 21 * Chadron State 14, Adams State 13 *
Offense Nick Ponce New Mexico Highlands Junior, Quarterback, 6-5, 230 Arcadia, Calif. In his first start of his NMHU career, Ponce completed 34 of 52 passes for 290 yards in a three-point home win over Colorado Mesa. For the second straight week, Ponce led the Cowboys on a last minute game winning drive. He threw for three scores and one interception against the Mavericks.
Defense Cordelle Nugent New Mexico Highlands Senior, Linebacker, 6-0, 215 Victorville, Calif. Nugent posted five solo tackles and assisted on seven others in a home win against Colorado Mesa. Four of his tackles were for a loss of seven yards. Nugent also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble and added an interception for a 15-yard return.
Special Teams Josh Sandoval Colorado State-Pueblo Sophomore, WR/PR, 6-1, 180 Pueblo, Colo./ Pueblo East HS Sandoval returned four punts for 134 yards (33.5 average) and a touchdown Saturday night against Fort Lewis (W, 47-0). His longest return was 77 yards. Sandoval claimed both the CSU-Pueblo career punt return yardage record (held by Alan Webster), the single season punt return yardage record (held by Markus Turner), and the single game punt return record (his own mark set three weeks ago). Sandoval added six receptions for 105 yards. He racked up 239 all-purpose yards against the Skyhawks.
2011 RMAC Football Release Adams State College (2-2, 0-2 RMAC) Offense: Delton Prescott (Senior, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 190, Phoenix, Ariz./Glendale CC/Washington HS) Prescott caught his first touchdown pass of the 2011 season in the Grizzlies match-up with RMAC foe Chadron State, catching a 20-yard scoring strike with 8:23 left in the first half. He also became the first ASC receiver to go over 100 yards in a game this season, snaring eight passes for 113 yards. Defense: Jake Long (Junior, Defensive Back, 6-0, 200, Glendale, Ariz./Glendale CC/Ironwood HS) Long came up with two big turnovers for the Grizzlies on Saturday, intercepting his second pass of the season, then forcing and recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to an ASC field goal to go up 13-7 with 2:50 to play. Special Teams: Dustin Bolt (Senior, Wide Receiver/Punter, 6-2, 215, Alamosa, Colo./Alamosa HS) Bolt punted eight times on Saturday at Chadron State for 290 yards, averaging 36.2 yards per punt with a long of 44. He pinned the Eagles inside the 20-yard line on three occasions and recorded one touchback. Team Notes: Adams out-gained the Eagles 319-295 on Saturday, and held CSC to just 113 yards passing while gaining 222 of their own through the air. It was the third time this season that the Grizzlies have gained over 300 yards off total offense and Trevor Eggleston’s fourth time passing for over 200 this season. The ASC defense forced three turnovers in the game, as Jake Long snagged an interception while also forcing and recovering a fourth quarter fumble. Junior Jeremiah Van Valkenburg also came up with an interception the game. For Long it was his second interception of the season and the first for Van Valkenburg. Each team put the ball on the ground four times Saturday, but only lost one apiece. Adams State will host No. 7Nebraska-Kearney in their Homecoming match-up at Rex Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Chadron State College (2-2, 2-0 RMAC) Offense: Michael Madkins (Sophomore, Tailback, 5-7, 160, Elk Grove, Calif./Pleasant Grove) Madkins averaged an incredible 9.3 yards per carry in the Eagles’ thrilling 14-13 victory over Adams State. He had a part in both of CSC’s touchdowns. He reached the end zone on a 55-yard gallop in the second quarter and set up the game-winning score with a 45yard kickoff return late in the fourth. Madkins rushed nine times for 84 yards. Defense: Maverick Churchill (Senior, Defensive Line, 6-3, 260, Scottsbluff, Neb./Scottsbluff HS) Churchill finished with a team-high eight tackles, including a sack, in the Eagles’ 14-13 home win against Adams State. Team Notes: Jeremy Sondrup caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Gorsuch that gave the Eagles a 14-13 lead with one minute, 38 seconds remaining in the game, and Adams State’s 38-yard field goal try as time expired went wide to the left to give CSC a thrilling Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory. The Eagles will host Colorado State-Pueblo Saturday during CSC’s Homecoming festivities. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Colorado Mesa University (1-3, 0-2 RMAC) Offense: Chris Henderson (R-Freshman, Quarterback, 5-11, 190, Abilene, Texas/Centennial) Henderson has his best game as a Maverick in his first collegiate start as he threw for 374 yards and two touchdowns (19,24) and rushed for one touchdown (one yard). He was 22-of-35 with two interceptions. His longest pass went for 75. He rushed for 14 yards and was sacked five times. He had scoring drives of 87-yards on nine plays (19-yard touchdown pass), 96-yards on eight plays (one yd run), and 24-yards, one play (24-yard touchdown pass). In two games this season he has a team high 28 completed passes for 407 yards and two touchdowns (all team highs). Henderson has an efficiency rating of 140.88 and is averaging 203.5 passing yards per game. Defense: Jake Edmiston (Sophomore, Linebacker, 6-2, 195, Palisade, Colo./Palisade HS) Edmiston led all players with 15 total tackles and posted a game high nine solo tackles at New Mexico Highlands. He had one quarterback hurry and 0.5 tackle for loss yardage. Edmiston is third on the team overall in tackles (40) and second overall in solo tackles (16). He has one interception and one forced fumble on the year. Special Teams: Michael Brady (Sophomore, Punter/Defensive Back, 5-11, 185, Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch HS) Brady had six punts for 279 yards, an average of 46.5 yards per punt. He registered a long punt of 78 yards, his longest of the year. Brady kicked two inside the two-yard line and had one touchback. On the year, Brady has 29 punts for 1257 yards (43.3 avg) and nine punts inside the 20. Team Notes: Colorado Mesa scored 38 points in a loss at New Mexico Highlands, the Mavs’ highest point total this year. The team recorded a season high 374 passing yards. It marked the third time in four games CMU has rushed for over a 100 yards. CMU recovered three Highlands fumbles, a season high. CMU has recovered at least one fumble in each of the four games and have eight fumble recoveries to date. They are averaging 132 yard rushing and 187 passing. Connor Wright leads the team in tackles (46), quarterback hurries (eight) and sacks (8.0-44 yards). CMU is 0-2 at home and will look to notch their first home victory this Saturday in their homecoming game against Western New Mexico at 1 p.m.
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2011 RMAC Football Release Colorado School of Mines (3-1, 1-1 RMAC) Offense: Dan Palmer (Junior, Running Back, 6-2, 235, Greeley, Colo./University HS) Palmer carried the ball 24 times for 142 yards and one touchdown, averaging 5.9 yards per carry in CSM’s win over WNMU. Palmer broke a 71-yard long run for his touchdown. Palmer also added three receptions for 20 yards. Palmer has now rushed for over 100 yards in three of four games this season equaling the same amount of times Palmer rushed for over 100 yards during the 2010 season. Defense: Alex Vigil (Senior, Linebacker, 215, Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian HS) Vigil recorded a game-high 11 tackles on Saturday against Western New Mexico. He recorded a game-high seven solo tackles finishing with two sacks (nine yards) and three tackles for a loss (11 yards). Vigil combined with Mark Powell on the sack for an 11-yard loss on WNMU’s first drive during the overtime period on third down. Special Teams: Taylor Accardi (Junior, Punter, 6-2, 205, Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge HS) Accardi tallied nine punts on Saturday averaging 50.9 yards per punt. He dropped one punt inside the two and three punts resulted in touchbacks. Accardi hit a season-long punt of 88 yards in the game as well. Team Notes: Clay Garcia was 19-of-36 passing for 151 yards against WNMU. Garcia completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Tevin Champagne and punched in the game-winning touchdown from a yard out in overtime. Diamond Gillis caught seven passes for 38 yards and also threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Matt Brown. Brown caught six passes for 87 yards in the game. On the defensive side of the ball, Tyler Denson finished the game with 11 tackles (five solo, six assisted) and 0.5 tackles for loss. Alex Laudenslager finished with a sack and two tackles for a loss. Taylor Jeski, Mark Powell and Sam Frazier all finished with a sack on the day. The Oredigger defense recorded six sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. Henry Kaetzer and Jeski both had interceptions in the game. CSM will also host its annual Homecoming / Hall of Fame Game on Oct. 1 (12pm vs. Fort Lewis).
Colorado State University-Pueblo (4-0, 2-0 RMAC) Offense: Josh Sandoval (Sophomore, Wide Receiver, 6-1, 180, Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East HS) Sandoval caught six passes for 105 yards in a 47-0 home win over Fort Lewis Saturday night. He became the first ThunderWolf with 100 yards receiving since last season, when current wide receivers coach Bernard Jackson accomplished the feat. He is also the first ThunderWolf with 100 yards receiving and 100 yards on punt returns in the same game since Markus Turner in 2008. Defense: Stephan Dickens (Sophomore, Corner Back, 5-8, 180, Aurora, Colo./Cherokee Trail HS) Dickens scored his first career defensive touchdown as well as his first interception return for positive yardage with his 57-yard pick-six against Fort Lewis. Special Teams: Josh Sandoval (Sophomore, Wide Receiver, 6-1, 180, Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East HS) RMAC/Rawlings Special Teams Player of the Week Team Notes: The ThunderWolves have now won eight straight games (including last season), which is tied for the longest winning streak in all of Division II. The ThunderWolves’ shutout win marked the first time since 1962 that it had claimed two shutouts in a season and the first time since the school became a four-year institution in 1963 that it had accomplished the feat.
Fort Lewis College (1-3, 0-2 RMAC) Defense: Terry Begaye (Junior, Corner Back, 5-8, 180, Santa Fe, N.M./St. Michael’s HS) Begaye led all players Saturday night with 13 total tackles at CSU-Pueblo. Five of his tackles were solo stops, and he added a half tackle for a loss yardage.
New Mexico Highlands University (4-0, 2-0 RMAC) Offense: Nick Ponce (Junior, Quarterback, 6-5, 230, Arcadia, Calif.) RMAC/Rawlings Offensive Player of the Week Defense: Cordelle Nugent (Senior, Linebacker, 6-0, 215, Victorville, Calif.) RMAC/Rawlings Defensive Player of the Week Special Teams: Jordan Campbell (Senior, Punter/Linebacker, 6-0, 230, Corona, Calif.) Campbell, who registered 17 tackles and three tackles for a loss of seven yards on defense, also averaged 55.8 yards on four punts. One of his punts was a touchback and one landed inside the 20-yard line. Defensivley, he leads the nation in tackles for loss. Team Notes: The Cowboys continued their winning streak on Saturday as they defeated the Mavericks of Colorado Mesa after a back and forth battle throughout the game. The Cowboys fell behind late in the fourth quarter 38-34 and found themselves faced with a two minute drill scenario to win the game. For the second straight week, Nick Ponce led the Cowboys down the field and into the end zone as he connected with Kevon Williams for the game winning score to put the Cowboys in the lead for good at 41-38. At 4-0 and 2-0 in RMAC play, the Cowboys are off to their best start since the 1998 season.
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2011 RMAC Football Release University of Nebraska at Kearney (4-0, 2-0 RMAC) Offense: Ricky Trinidad (Freshman, 5-9, 170, Trinity, Fla./Mitchell HS) Trinidad came out of a redshirt season to carry the ball 17 times for 173 yards and two scores Saturday afternoon against Western State. He had scoring runs of 34 and 44 yards. Trinidad also notched a catch for seven yards to bring his all-purpose yardage total to 180. Defense: Kellen Werner (Sophomore, Inside Linebacker, 6-1, 220 lbs., Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island) Werner tied for the team lead in tackles against Western State with seven. He also had two sacks for a loss of 25 yards and a pass breakup. He was part of a defensive effort that held Western State to 58 yards rushing on 38 carries (1.5 avg.). Special Teams: Matt Berry (Sophomore, Wide Receiver, 5-10, 180 lbs., McCook, Neb./McCook) Berry posted three kick returns for 122 yards. He took the opening kickoff and returned it 73 yards to the WSC 13 yard line. He also posted three catches for 86 yards and one touchdown. Team Notes: The Lopers earned their eighth straight win over Western State Saturday afternoon. It was their fourth straight game with at least 600 yards of offense. Senior cornerback Arthur Hobbs returned an interception 60 yards late in the first half, pushing his season total interception return yards to 274. In addition to Trinidad, sophomore Stephan Rush ran for a career-high 78 yards and a touchdown.
Western New Mexico University (2-2, 1-1 RMAC) Team Notes: David Ingram hit Markis Sumpter on a 17-yard touchdown pass and after Kameron Drawhorn added the extra point, the Western New Mexico football team had come back to tie its game against Colorado School of Mines at 21 with five seconds to play. Colorado School of Mines, though, recovered in overtime, as after they forced the Mustangs to turn the ball over on downs, they would score a 1-yard touchdown on a sneak by quarterback Clay Garcia to lift the Orediggers to a 27-21 victory Saturday afternoon at Ben Altamirano Field. Ingram completed 28-of-43 passes for 298 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, along with one rushing touchdown.
Western State College (0-4, 0-2 RMAC) Offense: Jamie Jensen (Sophomore, Quarterback, 6-3, 195, San Martin, Calif./San Francisco City/Gilroy HS) Jensen threw for 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns against seventh-ranked Nebraska-Kearney last Saturday. It was the most individual passing yards allowed by the Lopers this season. Jensen’s performance was the best by a Mountaineer since Tyler Daniels’ 299 yards against Western New Mexico Sept. 26, 2009. He went three-of-four during Western State’s first scoring drive with 41 yards, including the 18-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Prock. Jensen also added a 60-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to Kurtis Dunbar on the only play of the scoring drive. He improved to sixth in the RMAC in passing yards per game and fifth in yards per completion with 14.4 yards per completion last Saturday. He had a streak of 72 pass attempts without an interception snapped in the first quarter. Defense: Justin Brooks (Junior, Inside Linebacker, 6-0, 165, Castro Valley, Calif./San Mateo/James Logan HS) Brooks tied for the team lead in tackles and made an interception in the second quarter that led to a Mountaineer touchdown against No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney last Saturday. He was injured on the interception and ended up missing the rest of the game. He is among the conference leaders this season in tackles per game. Jensen has recorded six tackles in three of the four games this season as a part of the secondary. He is part of a defense that held the Lopers to season lows in total offense and first downs. Special Teams: Ryan Walstrom (Senior, Offensive Line, 6-8, 335, LaSalle, Colo./Valley HS) Walstrom blocked a point-after attempt in the first quarter against No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney last Saturday at Cope Stadium. It was his first blocked kick of the season and the seventh of his career. He helped the Mountaineers rank third in the conference this season in blocked kicks. Team Note: Western State finished with its best offensive performance of the season in a loss at No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney. Kurtis Dunbar turned in a career performance with five receptions for 84 yards and his first career touchdown reception. Curtis Prock made his third touchdown reception of the season and is fourth in the RMAC in that category. He improved his career touchdown total to seven, and needs three more to tie for ninth in program records. He is also on pace to finish fifth in season touchdown records, and ranks No. 10 in the conference in scoring. Prock added 92 receiving yards in the best performance by a Mountaineer this season, and five yards short of his career best. Jaden Terry ranks fifth in the conference for tackles per game after he turned in Division II’s best performance against Chadron State Sept. 17. He recorded 20 tackles, which also ranks as the fourth-best mark in program history. All of Adam Turner’s 3.5 tackles for loss have come in the conference season, and ranks in the top 10 in the RMAC for conference-only statistics. Germaine Daniels moved into a tie for seventh in career rushing attempts with 30 rushes last Saturday. He was leading Division II freshmen in tackles going into last weekend. He stands with 394 attempts and needs 68 attempts to move into a tie for fifth. Daniels has rushed for 75 or more yards in four of his last five games. Miles Gorham has increased his punting average in each of the last three games, and averaged 36.2 yards per punt against Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday. Western State is scoring on 83 percent of its trips in the red zone this season. The Mountaineers celebrate Homecoming this weekend with New Mexico Highlands Saturday at 1 p.m. Western State has won eight of its last 10 home meetings with the Cowboys since 1990.
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2011 RMAC Football Release 2011 AFCA Division II Coaches’ Poll September 26, 2011 Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
School (1st votes) Northwest Missouri St. (28) North Alabama Shepherd (W.Va.) Valdosta St. (Ga.) Bloomsburg (Pa.) Delta St. (Miss.) (1) Nebraska-Kearney Washburn (Kan.) Wayne St. (Mich.) Minnesota-Duluth Abilene Christian (Texas) Kutztown (Pa.) Albany St. (Ga.) Colorado St.-Pueblo Pittsburg St. (Kan.) California (Pa.) St. Cloud State (Minn.) Edinboro (Pa.) Central Missouri West Texas A&M Winston-Salem St. (N.C.) Midwestern St. (Texas) New Haven (Conn.) Hillsdale (Mich.) Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
RMAC/Rawlings Players of the Week September 26 Offense: Nick Ponce, New Mexico Highlands Defense: Cordelle Nugent, New Mexico Highlands Special Teams: Josh Sandoval, CSU-Pueblo September 19 Offense: Jake Spitzlberger, Nebraska-Kearney Defense: Jordan Campbell, New Mexico Highlands Special Teams: Kyle Major, CSU-Pueblo September 12 Offense: Dan Palmer, Colorado Mines Co-Defense: Arthur Hobbs, Nebraska-Kearney Co-Defense: Connor Wright, Colorado Mesa Special Teams: Scott Kellogg, Adams State September 5 Offense: Jake Spitzlberger, Nebraska-Kearney Defense: Cordelle Nugent, New Mexico Highlands Special Teams: Kyle Major, CSU-Pueblo
Others Receiving Votes: Mercyhurst (Pa.), 28; Bemidji St. (Minn.), 20; Michigan Tech, 17; West Alabama, 14; Humboldt St. (Calif.), 13; Wayne St. (Neb.), 13; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 12; Ashland (Ohio), 11; Colorado School of Mines, 10; New Mexico Highlands, 9; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 5; Winona St. (Minn.), 4; Ferris St. (Mich.), 3; Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 3; Newberry (S.C.), 3; East Central (Okla.), 2; Morehouse (Ga.), 2.
RMAC Schools Ranked in the AFCA Poll September 26 7. Nebraska-Kearney 14. CSU-Pueblo RV. Colorado Mines RV. New Mexico Highlands
August 15 16. Nebraska-Kearney RV. Colorado Mines RV. CSU-Pueblo RV. Chadron State
September 19 7. Nebraska-Kearney 14. CSU-Pueblo RV. Colorado Mines RV. New Mexico Highlands September 12 11. Nebraska-Kearney 18. CSU-Pueblo 20. Colorado Mines RV. Adams State September 5 13. Nebraska-Kearney 21. CSU-Pueblo 24. Colorado Mines
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2011 RMAC Preseason Information 2011 RMAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll School (1st Place Votes)
Points
1. Nebraska-Kearney (6) 2. Colorado Mines (2) CSU-Pueblo (1) 4. Chadron State (1) 5. Adams State 6. Mesa State (Colorado Mesa) 7. Western New Mexico 8. Fort Lewis 9. Western State 10. New Mexico Highlands
13 22 22 27 43 51 58 63 73 78
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
‘10 RMAC Record
Overall Record
8-1 8-1 7-2 7-2 4-5 3-6 3-6 3-6 1-8 1-8
9-2 9-3 9-2 8-3 5-6 3-7 4-7 3-7 1-10 1-10
Preseason All-RMAC - Offense Pos. Name Yr. School QB Clay Garcia Sr. Colorado Mines RB *Rustin Dring Sr. Nebraska-Kearney RB Jesse Lewis Sr. CSU-Pueblo WR *Cody Renken Jr. Colorado Mines WR Jerrod Doucet Jr. Colorado Mines WR Kevon Williams Jr. N.M. Highlands TE Koby Wittek Sr. CSU-Pueblo OL Tim Hiett Sr. Chadron State OL Stephen Goodin Sr. Nebraska-Kearney OL Ryan Jensen Jr. CSU-Pueblo OL Nate Behrends Jr. Colorado Mines OL Kevin Ashak Jr. Adams State Preseason All-RMAC - Defense DE Grant Jansen Sr. CSU-Pueblo DE Alex Paicurich Sr. Nebraska-Kearney DT Justin Thiel Jr. Nebraska-Kearney DT Maverick Churchill Sr. Chadron State ILB Lee Meisner Sr. CSU-Pueblo ILB Rocco DeLorenzo Sr. Adams State OLB Kevin Lindholm Jr. Chadron State OLB Alex Vigil Sr. Colorado Mines DB *Sam Kuck Jr. Nebraska-Kearney DB Fabrice Nolen Sr. Adams State DB Will Naas Sr. Adams State DB Josh Costa Sr. CSU-Pueblo Preseason All-RMAC - Special Teams K *Kyle Major Sr. CSU-Pueblo P Taylor Accardi Jr. Colorado Mines KR Cody Renken Jr. Colorado Mines PR Scott Kellogg Jr. Adams State * - unanimous selection.
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Clay Garcia, Colorado Mines Quarterback, Senior 6-0, 200 Alamosa, Colo./Alamosa HS One of nine national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2010... Honorable Mention All-America by Don Hansen Gazette... 2011 Preseason Honorable Mention All-America by Consensus Draft Services... Led the RMAC in passing yards (4,066) and touchdowns (39) in 2010... Named RMAC Offensive Player of the Year... RMAC Football Academic Player of the Year and ESPN First Team Academic All-America (College Division)... Has 3.88 GPA in mechancal Engineering. National Football Foundation (Colorado Chapter) Offensive Player of the Year.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Lee Meisner, CSU-Pueblo Inside Linebacker, Senior 6-0, 240 Sterling, Colo./Sterling HS Selected to the 2011 Sporting News Division II Preseason All-America Team and second-team preseason All-America by the Consensus Draft Services... Led the RMAC in tackles in 2010 with 124 while being named first team all-conference... First team ESPN Academic All-District VII. He was also the male RMAC Scholar-Athlete from CSU-Pueblo after posting a 3.90 GPA in Business... In 2009 Meisner led the Pack with 90 tackles while being named third team all-RMAC.
Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year Taylor Accardi, Colorado Mines Punter, Junior 6-2, 200 Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge HS Led the RMAC and was second in the nation in punting average (45.4)... Set Colorado Mines record for punting average in a season. Earned Preseason Honorable Mention All-America honors from Consensus Draft Services... Had 19 punts of 50 yards or more, including a 75 yard boot against Washburn.
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2011 RMAC Football Schedules Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Adams State College Opponent at Dixie State at Black Hills St. Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Chadron State * Nebraska-Kearney * (HC) at New Mexico Highlands * Western New Mexico * at Fort Lewis * Colorado Mines * at Colorado Mesa * Western State *
Time/Result W, 24-14 W, 35-14 L, 11-20 L, 13-14 1 PM 6 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Fort Lewis College Opponent South Dakota Mines at Northern Arizona Western New Mexico * (HC) at Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Colorado Mines * Colorado Mesa * at Western State * Adams State * at Chadron State * Nebraska-Kearney * at New Mexico Highlands *
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Chadron State College Opponent at Mary Angelo State at Western State * Adams State * Colorado St.-Pueblo * (HC) at Nebraska-Kearney * New Mexico Highlands * at Western New Mexico * Fort Lewis * at Colorado Mines * Colorado Mesa *
Time/Result L, 24-31 L, 42-49 W, 15-7 W, 14-13 1:30 PM 12 PM 12 PM 12 PM 12 PM 12 PM 12 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
New Mexico Highlands University Opponent Time/Result at Eastern New Mexico W, 43-36 (OT) Okla. Panhandle St. W, 60-14 at Colorado Mines * W, 40-34 W, 41-38 Colorado Mesa * at Western State * 1 PM Adams State * (HC) 6 PM at Chadron State * 12 PM Nebraska-Kearney * 1 PM Colorado St.-Pueblo * 6 PM at Western New Mexico * 12 PM Fort Lewis * 1 PM
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Colorado Mesa University Opponent Humboldt State at Dixie State Nebraska-Kearney * at New Mexico Highlands * Western New Mexico * (HC) at Fort Lewis * Colorado Mines * at Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Western State * Adams State * at Chadron State *
Time/Result L, 3-29 W, 52-30 L, 10-52 L, 38-41 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 6 PM 1 PM 1 PM 12 PM
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
University of Nebraska at Kearney Opponent Time/Result at Wayne St. (Neb.) W, 41-20 Northeastern St. W, 65-10 at Colorado Mesa * W, 52-10 Western State * (HC) W, 55-14 at Adams State * 1 PM Chadron State * 12 PM Colorado St.-Pueblo * 1 PM at New Mexico Highlands * 1 PM Western New Mexico * 1 PM at Fort Lewis * 1 PM Colorado Mines * 12 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 6 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Colorado School of Mines Opponent at William Jewell College South Dakota Mines New Mexico Highlands * at Western New Mexico * Fort Lewis * (HC) at Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Colorado Mesa * Western State * at Adams State * Chadron State * at Nebraska-Kearney *
Time/Result W, 33-0 W, 55-7 L, 34-40 W, 27-21 (OT) 12 PM 6 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 12 PM 12 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Western New Mexico University Opponent Sul Ross St. at San Diego at Fort Lewis * Colorado Mines * at Colorado Mesa * (HC) Western State * at Adams State * Chadron State * at Nebraska-Kearney * New Mexico Highlands * at Colorado St.-Pueblo *
Time/Result W, 35-28 L, 10-30 W, 26-17 L, 21-27 (OT) 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 12 PM 2 PM
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 6 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Colorado State University-Pueblo Opponent Time/Result at West Texas A&M W, 26-24 Northwestern Okla. W, 41-0 at Adams State * W, 20-11 Fort Lewis (HC) * W, 47-0 at Chadron State * 1:30 PM Colorado Mines * 6 PM at Nebraska-Kearney * 1 PM Colorado Mesa * 6 PM at New Mexico Highlands * 6 PM Western State * 2 PM Western New Mexico * 2 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Western State College Opponent Angelo State at Idaho St. Chadron State * at Nebraska-Kearney * New Mexico Highlands * (HC) at Western New Mexico * Fort Lewis * at Colorado Mines * Colorado Mesa * at Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Adams State *
Time/Result L, 12-35 L, 7-44 L, 7-15 L, 14-55 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 2 PM 1 PM
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Time/Result W, 48-30 L, 13-58 L, 17-26 L, 0-47 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM
RMAC Football Week 5 September 26, 2011 RMAC/Rawlings Players of the Week
2011 RMAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS Institution Colorado St.-Pueblo Nebraska-Kearney New Mexico Highlands Chadron State Colorado Mines Western New Mexico Adams State Colorado Mesa Fort Lewis Western State
RMAC W-L Pct. 2-0 1.000 2-0 1.000 2-0 1.000 2-0 1.000 1-1 0.500 1-1 0.500 0-2 0.000 0-2 0.000 0-2 0.000 0-2 0.000
Upcoming Games October 1 Fort Lewis at Colorado Mines * N.M. Highlands at Western State * Western N.M. at Colorado Mesa * Nebraska-Kearney at Adams State * CSU-Pueblo at Chadron State *
For 33.5 53.5 40.5 14.5 30.5 23.5 12.0 24.0 8.5 10.5
Opp 5.5 12.0 36.0 10.0 30.5 22.0 17.0 46.5 36.5 35.0
Overall W-L Pct. 4-0 1.000 4-0 1.000 4-0 1.000 2-2 0.500 3-1 0.750 2-2 0.500 2-2 0.500 1-3 0.250 1-3 0.250 0-4 0.000
For 33.5 53.3 46.0 23.8 37.3 23.0 20.8 25.8 19.5 10.0
Opp 8.8 13.5 30.5 25.0 17.0 25.5 15.5 38.0 40.3 37.3
Last Week’s Results 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1:30 PM
October 6 Colorado Mines at CSU-Pueblo * 6 PM National TV - CBS College Sports Network October 8 Chadron State at Nebraska-Kearney * Colorado Mesa at Fort Lewis * Western State at Western N.M. * Adams State at N.M. Highlands *
12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m.
October 15 CSU-Pueblo at Nebraska-Kearney * N.M. Highlands at Chadron State * Colorado Mines at Colorado Mesa * Fort Lewis at Western State * Western N.M. at Adams State *
1 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m.
October 22 Western State at Colorado Mines * Chadron State at Western N.M. * Adams State at Fort Lewis * Neb.-Kearney at N.M. Highlands * Colorado Mesa at CSU-Pueblo *
12 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m.
October 29 Western N.M. at Nebraska-Kearney * Fort Lewis at Chadron State * Colorado Mines at Adams State * Colorado Mesa at Western State * CSU-Pueblo at N.M. Highlands
1 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m.
September 24 CSU-Pueblo 47, Fort Lewis 0 * N.M. Highlands 41, Colorado Mesa 38 * Nebraska-Kearney 55, Western State 14 * Colorado Mines 27, Western N.M. 21 * Chadron State 14, Adams State 13 *
Offense Nick Ponce New Mexico Highlands Junior, Quarterback, 6-5, 230 Arcadia, Calif. In his first start of his NMHU career, Ponce completed 34 of 52 passes for 290 yards in a three-point home win over Colorado Mesa. For the second straight week, Ponce led the Cowboys on a last minute game winning drive. He threw for three scores and one interception against the Mavericks.
Defense Cordelle Nugent New Mexico Highlands Senior, Linebacker, 6-0, 215 Victorville, Calif. Nugent posted five solo tackles and assisted on seven others in a home win against Colorado Mesa. Four of his tackles were for a loss of seven yards. Nugent also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble and added an interception for a 15-yard return.
Special Teams Josh Sandoval Colorado State-Pueblo Sophomore, WR/PR, 6-1, 180 Pueblo, Colo./ Pueblo East HS Sandoval returned four punts for 134 yards (33.5 average) and a touchdown Saturday night against Fort Lewis (W, 47-0). His longest return was 77 yards. Sandoval claimed both the CSU-Pueblo career punt return yardage record (held by Alan Webster), the single season punt return yardage record (held by Markus Turner), and the single game punt return record (his own mark set three weeks ago). Sandoval added six receptions for 105 yards. He racked up 239 all-purpose yards against the Skyhawks.
2011 RMAC Football Release Adams State College (2-2, 0-2 RMAC) Offense: Delton Prescott (Senior, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 190, Phoenix, Ariz./Glendale CC/Washington HS) Prescott caught his first touchdown pass of the 2011 season in the Grizzlies match-up with RMAC foe Chadron State, catching a 20-yard scoring strike with 8:23 left in the first half. He also became the first ASC receiver to go over 100 yards in a game this season, snaring eight passes for 113 yards. Defense: Jake Long (Junior, Defensive Back, 6-0, 200, Glendale, Ariz./Glendale CC/Ironwood HS) Long came up with two big turnovers for the Grizzlies on Saturday, intercepting his second pass of the season, then forcing and recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to an ASC field goal to go up 13-7 with 2:50 to play. Special Teams: Dustin Bolt (Senior, Wide Receiver/Punter, 6-2, 215, Alamosa, Colo./Alamosa HS) Bolt punted eight times on Saturday at Chadron State for 290 yards, averaging 36.2 yards per punt with a long of 44. He pinned the Eagles inside the 20-yard line on three occasions and recorded one touchback. Team Notes: Adams out-gained the Eagles 319-295 on Saturday, and held CSC to just 113 yards passing while gaining 222 of their own through the air. It was the third time this season that the Grizzlies have gained over 300 yards off total offense and Trevor Eggleston’s fourth time passing for over 200 this season. The ASC defense forced three turnovers in the game, as Jake Long snagged an interception while also forcing and recovering a fourth quarter fumble. Junior Jeremiah Van Valkenburg also came up with an interception the game. For Long it was his second interception of the season and the first for Van Valkenburg. Each team put the ball on the ground four times Saturday, but only lost one apiece. Adams State will host No. 7Nebraska-Kearney in their Homecoming match-up at Rex Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Chadron State College (2-2, 2-0 RMAC) Offense: Michael Madkins (Sophomore, Tailback, 5-7, 160, Elk Grove, Calif./Pleasant Grove) Madkins averaged an incredible 9.3 yards per carry in the Eagles’ thrilling 14-13 victory over Adams State. He had a part in both of CSC’s touchdowns. He reached the end zone on a 55-yard gallop in the second quarter and set up the game-winning score with a 45yard kickoff return late in the fourth. Madkins rushed nine times for 84 yards. Defense: Maverick Churchill (Senior, Defensive Line, 6-3, 260, Scottsbluff, Neb./Scottsbluff HS) Churchill finished with a team-high eight tackles, including a sack, in the Eagles’ 14-13 home win against Adams State. Team Notes: Jeremy Sondrup caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Gorsuch that gave the Eagles a 14-13 lead with one minute, 38 seconds remaining in the game, and Adams State’s 38-yard field goal try as time expired went wide to the left to give CSC a thrilling Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory. The Eagles will host Colorado State-Pueblo Saturday during CSC’s Homecoming festivities. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Colorado Mesa University (1-3, 0-2 RMAC) Offense: Chris Henderson (R-Freshman, Quarterback, 5-11, 190, Abilene, Texas/Centennial) Henderson has his best game as a Maverick in his first collegiate start as he threw for 374 yards and two touchdowns (19,24) and rushed for one touchdown (one yard). He was 22-of-35 with two interceptions. His longest pass went for 75. He rushed for 14 yards and was sacked five times. He had scoring drives of 87-yards on nine plays (19-yard touchdown pass), 96-yards on eight plays (one yd run), and 24-yards, one play (24-yard touchdown pass). In two games this season he has a team high 28 completed passes for 407 yards and two touchdowns (all team highs). Henderson has an efficiency rating of 140.88 and is averaging 203.5 passing yards per game. Defense: Jake Edmiston (Sophomore, Linebacker, 6-2, 195, Palisade, Colo./Palisade HS) Edmiston led all players with 15 total tackles and posted a game high nine solo tackles at New Mexico Highlands. He had one quarterback hurry and 0.5 tackle for loss yardage. Edmiston is third on the team overall in tackles (40) and second overall in solo tackles (16). He has one interception and one forced fumble on the year. Special Teams: Michael Brady (Sophomore, Punter/Defensive Back, 5-11, 185, Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch HS) Brady had six punts for 279 yards, an average of 46.5 yards per punt. He registered a long punt of 78 yards, his longest of the year. Brady kicked two inside the two-yard line and had one touchback. On the year, Brady has 29 punts for 1257 yards (43.3 avg) and nine punts inside the 20. Team Notes: Colorado Mesa scored 38 points in a loss at New Mexico Highlands, the Mavs’ highest point total this year. The team recorded a season high 374 passing yards. It marked the third time in four games CMU has rushed for over a 100 yards. CMU recovered three Highlands fumbles, a season high. CMU has recovered at least one fumble in each of the four games and have eight fumble recoveries to date. They are averaging 132 yard rushing and 187 passing. Connor Wright leads the team in tackles (46), quarterback hurries (eight) and sacks (8.0-44 yards). CMU is 0-2 at home and will look to notch their first home victory this Saturday in their homecoming game against Western New Mexico at 1 p.m.
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2011 RMAC Football Release Colorado School of Mines (3-1, 1-1 RMAC) Offense: Dan Palmer (Junior, Running Back, 6-2, 235, Greeley, Colo./University HS) Palmer carried the ball 24 times for 142 yards and one touchdown, averaging 5.9 yards per carry in CSM’s win over WNMU. Palmer broke a 71-yard long run for his touchdown. Palmer also added three receptions for 20 yards. Palmer has now rushed for over 100 yards in three of four games this season equaling the same amount of times Palmer rushed for over 100 yards during the 2010 season. Defense: Alex Vigil (Senior, Linebacker, 215, Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian HS) Vigil recorded a game-high 11 tackles on Saturday against Western New Mexico. He recorded a game-high seven solo tackles finishing with two sacks (nine yards) and three tackles for a loss (11 yards). Vigil combined with Mark Powell on the sack for an 11-yard loss on WNMU’s first drive during the overtime period on third down. Special Teams: Taylor Accardi (Junior, Punter, 6-2, 205, Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge HS) Accardi tallied nine punts on Saturday averaging 50.9 yards per punt. He dropped one punt inside the two and three punts resulted in touchbacks. Accardi hit a season-long punt of 88 yards in the game as well. Team Notes: Clay Garcia was 19-of-36 passing for 151 yards against WNMU. Garcia completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Tevin Champagne and punched in the game-winning touchdown from a yard out in overtime. Diamond Gillis caught seven passes for 38 yards and also threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Matt Brown. Brown caught six passes for 87 yards in the game. On the defensive side of the ball, Tyler Denson finished the game with 11 tackles (five solo, six assisted) and 0.5 tackles for loss. Alex Laudenslager finished with a sack and two tackles for a loss. Taylor Jeski, Mark Powell and Sam Frazier all finished with a sack on the day. The Oredigger defense recorded six sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. Henry Kaetzer and Jeski both had interceptions in the game. CSM will also host its annual Homecoming / Hall of Fame Game on Oct. 1 (12pm vs. Fort Lewis).
Colorado State University-Pueblo (4-0, 2-0 RMAC) Offense: Josh Sandoval (Sophomore, Wide Receiver, 6-1, 180, Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East HS) Sandoval caught six passes for 105 yards in a 47-0 home win over Fort Lewis Saturday night. He became the first ThunderWolf with 100 yards receiving since last season, when current wide receivers coach Bernard Jackson accomplished the feat. He is also the first ThunderWolf with 100 yards receiving and 100 yards on punt returns in the same game since Markus Turner in 2008. Defense: Stephan Dickens (Sophomore, Corner Back, 5-8, 180, Aurora, Colo./Cherokee Trail HS) Dickens scored his first career defensive touchdown as well as his first interception return for positive yardage with his 57-yard pick-six against Fort Lewis. Special Teams: Josh Sandoval (Sophomore, Wide Receiver, 6-1, 180, Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East HS) RMAC/Rawlings Special Teams Player of the Week Team Notes: The ThunderWolves have now won eight straight games (including last season), which is tied for the longest winning streak in all of Division II. The ThunderWolves’ shutout win marked the first time since 1962 that it had claimed two shutouts in a season and the first time since the school became a four-year institution in 1963 that it had accomplished the feat.
Fort Lewis College (1-3, 0-2 RMAC) Defense: Terry Begaye (Junior, Corner Back, 5-8, 180, Santa Fe, N.M./St. Michael’s HS) Begaye led all players Saturday night with 13 total tackles at CSU-Pueblo. Five of his tackles were solo stops, and he added a half tackle for a loss yardage.
New Mexico Highlands University (4-0, 2-0 RMAC) Offense: Nick Ponce (Junior, Quarterback, 6-5, 230, Arcadia, Calif.) RMAC/Rawlings Offensive Player of the Week Defense: Cordelle Nugent (Senior, Linebacker, 6-0, 215, Victorville, Calif.) RMAC/Rawlings Defensive Player of the Week Special Teams: Jordan Campbell (Senior, Punter/Linebacker, 6-0, 230, Corona, Calif.) Campbell, who registered 17 tackles and three tackles for a loss of seven yards on defense, also averaged 55.8 yards on four punts. One of his punts was a touchback and one landed inside the 20-yard line. Defensivley, he leads the nation in tackles for loss. Team Notes: The Cowboys continued their winning streak on Saturday as they defeated the Mavericks of Colorado Mesa after a back and forth battle throughout the game. The Cowboys fell behind late in the fourth quarter 38-34 and found themselves faced with a two minute drill scenario to win the game. For the second straight week, Nick Ponce led the Cowboys down the field and into the end zone as he connected with Kevon Williams for the game winning score to put the Cowboys in the lead for good at 41-38. At 4-0 and 2-0 in RMAC play, the Cowboys are off to their best start since the 1998 season.
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2011 RMAC Football Release University of Nebraska at Kearney (4-0, 2-0 RMAC) Offense: Ricky Trinidad (Freshman, 5-9, 170, Trinity, Fla./Mitchell HS) Trinidad came out of a redshirt season to carry the ball 17 times for 173 yards and two scores Saturday afternoon against Western State. He had scoring runs of 34 and 44 yards. Trinidad also notched a catch for seven yards to bring his all-purpose yardage total to 180. Defense: Kellen Werner (Sophomore, Inside Linebacker, 6-1, 220 lbs., Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island) Werner tied for the team lead in tackles against Western State with seven. He also had two sacks for a loss of 25 yards and a pass breakup. He was part of a defensive effort that held Western State to 58 yards rushing on 38 carries (1.5 avg.). Special Teams: Matt Berry (Sophomore, Wide Receiver, 5-10, 180 lbs., McCook, Neb./McCook) Berry posted three kick returns for 122 yards. He took the opening kickoff and returned it 73 yards to the WSC 13 yard line. He also posted three catches for 86 yards and one touchdown. Team Notes: The Lopers earned their eighth straight win over Western State Saturday afternoon. It was their fourth straight game with at least 600 yards of offense. Senior cornerback Arthur Hobbs returned an interception 60 yards late in the first half, pushing his season total interception return yards to 274. In addition to Trinidad, sophomore Stephan Rush ran for a career-high 78 yards and a touchdown.
Western New Mexico University (2-2, 1-1 RMAC) Team Notes: David Ingram hit Markis Sumpter on a 17-yard touchdown pass and after Kameron Drawhorn added the extra point, the Western New Mexico football team had come back to tie its game against Colorado School of Mines at 21 with five seconds to play. Colorado School of Mines, though, recovered in overtime, as after they forced the Mustangs to turn the ball over on downs, they would score a 1-yard touchdown on a sneak by quarterback Clay Garcia to lift the Orediggers to a 27-21 victory Saturday afternoon at Ben Altamirano Field. Ingram completed 28-of-43 passes for 298 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, along with one rushing touchdown.
Western State College (0-4, 0-2 RMAC) Offense: Jamie Jensen (Sophomore, Quarterback, 6-3, 195, San Martin, Calif./San Francisco City/Gilroy HS) Jensen threw for 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns against seventh-ranked Nebraska-Kearney last Saturday. It was the most individual passing yards allowed by the Lopers this season. Jensen’s performance was the best by a Mountaineer since Tyler Daniels’ 299 yards against Western New Mexico Sept. 26, 2009. He went three-of-four during Western State’s first scoring drive with 41 yards, including the 18-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Prock. Jensen also added a 60-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to Kurtis Dunbar on the only play of the scoring drive. He improved to sixth in the RMAC in passing yards per game and fifth in yards per completion with 14.4 yards per completion last Saturday. He had a streak of 72 pass attempts without an interception snapped in the first quarter. Defense: Justin Brooks (Junior, Inside Linebacker, 6-0, 165, Castro Valley, Calif./San Mateo/James Logan HS) Brooks tied for the team lead in tackles and made an interception in the second quarter that led to a Mountaineer touchdown against No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney last Saturday. He was injured on the interception and ended up missing the rest of the game. He is among the conference leaders this season in tackles per game. Jensen has recorded six tackles in three of the four games this season as a part of the secondary. He is part of a defense that held the Lopers to season lows in total offense and first downs. Special Teams: Ryan Walstrom (Senior, Offensive Line, 6-8, 335, LaSalle, Colo./Valley HS) Walstrom blocked a point-after attempt in the first quarter against No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney last Saturday at Cope Stadium. It was his first blocked kick of the season and the seventh of his career. He helped the Mountaineers rank third in the conference this season in blocked kicks. Team Note: Western State finished with its best offensive performance of the season in a loss at No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney. Kurtis Dunbar turned in a career performance with five receptions for 84 yards and his first career touchdown reception. Curtis Prock made his third touchdown reception of the season and is fourth in the RMAC in that category. He improved his career touchdown total to seven, and needs three more to tie for ninth in program records. He is also on pace to finish fifth in season touchdown records, and ranks No. 10 in the conference in scoring. Prock added 92 receiving yards in the best performance by a Mountaineer this season, and five yards short of his career best. Jaden Terry ranks fifth in the conference for tackles per game after he turned in Division II’s best performance against Chadron State Sept. 17. He recorded 20 tackles, which also ranks as the fourth-best mark in program history. All of Adam Turner’s 3.5 tackles for loss have come in the conference season, and ranks in the top 10 in the RMAC for conference-only statistics. Germaine Daniels moved into a tie for seventh in career rushing attempts with 30 rushes last Saturday. He was leading Division II freshmen in tackles going into last weekend. He stands with 394 attempts and needs 68 attempts to move into a tie for fifth. Daniels has rushed for 75 or more yards in four of his last five games. Miles Gorham has increased his punting average in each of the last three games, and averaged 36.2 yards per punt against Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday. Western State is scoring on 83 percent of its trips in the red zone this season. The Mountaineers celebrate Homecoming this weekend with New Mexico Highlands Saturday at 1 p.m. Western State has won eight of its last 10 home meetings with the Cowboys since 1990.
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2011 RMAC Football Release 2011 AFCA Division II Coaches’ Poll September 26, 2011 Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
School (1st votes) Northwest Missouri St. (28) North Alabama Shepherd (W.Va.) Valdosta St. (Ga.) Bloomsburg (Pa.) Delta St. (Miss.) (1) Nebraska-Kearney Washburn (Kan.) Wayne St. (Mich.) Minnesota-Duluth Abilene Christian (Texas) Kutztown (Pa.) Albany St. (Ga.) Colorado St.-Pueblo Pittsburg St. (Kan.) California (Pa.) St. Cloud State (Minn.) Edinboro (Pa.) Central Missouri West Texas A&M Winston-Salem St. (N.C.) Midwestern St. (Texas) New Haven (Conn.) Hillsdale (Mich.) Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
RMAC/Rawlings Players of the Week September 26 Offense: Nick Ponce, New Mexico Highlands Defense: Cordelle Nugent, New Mexico Highlands Special Teams: Josh Sandoval, CSU-Pueblo September 19 Offense: Jake Spitzlberger, Nebraska-Kearney Defense: Jordan Campbell, New Mexico Highlands Special Teams: Kyle Major, CSU-Pueblo September 12 Offense: Dan Palmer, Colorado Mines Co-Defense: Arthur Hobbs, Nebraska-Kearney Co-Defense: Connor Wright, Colorado Mesa Special Teams: Scott Kellogg, Adams State September 5 Offense: Jake Spitzlberger, Nebraska-Kearney Defense: Cordelle Nugent, New Mexico Highlands Special Teams: Kyle Major, CSU-Pueblo
Others Receiving Votes: Mercyhurst (Pa.), 28; Bemidji St. (Minn.), 20; Michigan Tech, 17; West Alabama, 14; Humboldt St. (Calif.), 13; Wayne St. (Neb.), 13; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 12; Ashland (Ohio), 11; Colorado School of Mines, 10; New Mexico Highlands, 9; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 5; Winona St. (Minn.), 4; Ferris St. (Mich.), 3; Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 3; Newberry (S.C.), 3; East Central (Okla.), 2; Morehouse (Ga.), 2.
RMAC Schools Ranked in the AFCA Poll September 26 7. Nebraska-Kearney 14. CSU-Pueblo RV. Colorado Mines RV. New Mexico Highlands
August 15 16. Nebraska-Kearney RV. Colorado Mines RV. CSU-Pueblo RV. Chadron State
September 19 7. Nebraska-Kearney 14. CSU-Pueblo RV. Colorado Mines RV. New Mexico Highlands September 12 11. Nebraska-Kearney 18. CSU-Pueblo 20. Colorado Mines RV. Adams State September 5 13. Nebraska-Kearney 21. CSU-Pueblo 24. Colorado Mines
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2011 RMAC Preseason Information 2011 RMAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll School (1st Place Votes)
Points
1. Nebraska-Kearney (6) 2. Colorado Mines (2) CSU-Pueblo (1) 4. Chadron State (1) 5. Adams State 6. Mesa State (Colorado Mesa) 7. Western New Mexico 8. Fort Lewis 9. Western State 10. New Mexico Highlands
13 22 22 27 43 51 58 63 73 78
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
‘10 RMAC Record
Overall Record
8-1 8-1 7-2 7-2 4-5 3-6 3-6 3-6 1-8 1-8
9-2 9-3 9-2 8-3 5-6 3-7 4-7 3-7 1-10 1-10
Preseason All-RMAC - Offense Pos. Name Yr. School QB Clay Garcia Sr. Colorado Mines RB *Rustin Dring Sr. Nebraska-Kearney RB Jesse Lewis Sr. CSU-Pueblo WR *Cody Renken Jr. Colorado Mines WR Jerrod Doucet Jr. Colorado Mines WR Kevon Williams Jr. N.M. Highlands TE Koby Wittek Sr. CSU-Pueblo OL Tim Hiett Sr. Chadron State OL Stephen Goodin Sr. Nebraska-Kearney OL Ryan Jensen Jr. CSU-Pueblo OL Nate Behrends Jr. Colorado Mines OL Kevin Ashak Jr. Adams State Preseason All-RMAC - Defense DE Grant Jansen Sr. CSU-Pueblo DE Alex Paicurich Sr. Nebraska-Kearney DT Justin Thiel Jr. Nebraska-Kearney DT Maverick Churchill Sr. Chadron State ILB Lee Meisner Sr. CSU-Pueblo ILB Rocco DeLorenzo Sr. Adams State OLB Kevin Lindholm Jr. Chadron State OLB Alex Vigil Sr. Colorado Mines DB *Sam Kuck Jr. Nebraska-Kearney DB Fabrice Nolen Sr. Adams State DB Will Naas Sr. Adams State DB Josh Costa Sr. CSU-Pueblo Preseason All-RMAC - Special Teams K *Kyle Major Sr. CSU-Pueblo P Taylor Accardi Jr. Colorado Mines KR Cody Renken Jr. Colorado Mines PR Scott Kellogg Jr. Adams State * - unanimous selection.
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Clay Garcia, Colorado Mines Quarterback, Senior 6-0, 200 Alamosa, Colo./Alamosa HS One of nine national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2010... Honorable Mention All-America by Don Hansen Gazette... 2011 Preseason Honorable Mention All-America by Consensus Draft Services... Led the RMAC in passing yards (4,066) and touchdowns (39) in 2010... Named RMAC Offensive Player of the Year... RMAC Football Academic Player of the Year and ESPN First Team Academic All-America (College Division)... Has 3.88 GPA in mechancal Engineering. National Football Foundation (Colorado Chapter) Offensive Player of the Year.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Lee Meisner, CSU-Pueblo Inside Linebacker, Senior 6-0, 240 Sterling, Colo./Sterling HS Selected to the 2011 Sporting News Division II Preseason All-America Team and second-team preseason All-America by the Consensus Draft Services... Led the RMAC in tackles in 2010 with 124 while being named first team all-conference... First team ESPN Academic All-District VII. He was also the male RMAC Scholar-Athlete from CSU-Pueblo after posting a 3.90 GPA in Business... In 2009 Meisner led the Pack with 90 tackles while being named third team all-RMAC.
Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year Taylor Accardi, Colorado Mines Punter, Junior 6-2, 200 Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge HS Led the RMAC and was second in the nation in punting average (45.4)... Set Colorado Mines record for punting average in a season. Earned Preseason Honorable Mention All-America honors from Consensus Draft Services... Had 19 punts of 50 yards or more, including a 75 yard boot against Washburn.
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2011 RMAC Football Schedules Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Adams State College Opponent at Dixie State at Black Hills St. Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Chadron State * Nebraska-Kearney * (HC) at New Mexico Highlands * Western New Mexico * at Fort Lewis * Colorado Mines * at Colorado Mesa * Western State *
Time/Result W, 24-14 W, 35-14 L, 11-20 L, 13-14 1 PM 6 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Fort Lewis College Opponent South Dakota Mines at Northern Arizona Western New Mexico * (HC) at Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Colorado Mines * Colorado Mesa * at Western State * Adams State * at Chadron State * Nebraska-Kearney * at New Mexico Highlands *
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Chadron State College Opponent at Mary Angelo State at Western State * Adams State * Colorado St.-Pueblo * (HC) at Nebraska-Kearney * New Mexico Highlands * at Western New Mexico * Fort Lewis * at Colorado Mines * Colorado Mesa *
Time/Result L, 24-31 L, 42-49 W, 15-7 W, 14-13 1:30 PM 12 PM 12 PM 12 PM 12 PM 12 PM 12 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
New Mexico Highlands University Opponent Time/Result at Eastern New Mexico W, 43-36 (OT) Okla. Panhandle St. W, 60-14 at Colorado Mines * W, 40-34 W, 41-38 Colorado Mesa * at Western State * 1 PM Adams State * (HC) 6 PM at Chadron State * 12 PM Nebraska-Kearney * 1 PM Colorado St.-Pueblo * 6 PM at Western New Mexico * 12 PM Fort Lewis * 1 PM
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Colorado Mesa University Opponent Humboldt State at Dixie State Nebraska-Kearney * at New Mexico Highlands * Western New Mexico * (HC) at Fort Lewis * Colorado Mines * at Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Western State * Adams State * at Chadron State *
Time/Result L, 3-29 W, 52-30 L, 10-52 L, 38-41 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 6 PM 1 PM 1 PM 12 PM
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
University of Nebraska at Kearney Opponent Time/Result at Wayne St. (Neb.) W, 41-20 Northeastern St. W, 65-10 at Colorado Mesa * W, 52-10 Western State * (HC) W, 55-14 at Adams State * 1 PM Chadron State * 12 PM Colorado St.-Pueblo * 1 PM at New Mexico Highlands * 1 PM Western New Mexico * 1 PM at Fort Lewis * 1 PM Colorado Mines * 12 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 6 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Colorado School of Mines Opponent at William Jewell College South Dakota Mines New Mexico Highlands * at Western New Mexico * Fort Lewis * (HC) at Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Colorado Mesa * Western State * at Adams State * Chadron State * at Nebraska-Kearney *
Time/Result W, 33-0 W, 55-7 L, 34-40 W, 27-21 (OT) 12 PM 6 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 12 PM 12 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Western New Mexico University Opponent Sul Ross St. at San Diego at Fort Lewis * Colorado Mines * at Colorado Mesa * (HC) Western State * at Adams State * Chadron State * at Nebraska-Kearney * New Mexico Highlands * at Colorado St.-Pueblo *
Time/Result W, 35-28 L, 10-30 W, 26-17 L, 21-27 (OT) 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 12 PM 2 PM
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 6 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Colorado State University-Pueblo Opponent Time/Result at West Texas A&M W, 26-24 Northwestern Okla. W, 41-0 at Adams State * W, 20-11 Fort Lewis (HC) * W, 47-0 at Chadron State * 1:30 PM Colorado Mines * 6 PM at Nebraska-Kearney * 1 PM Colorado Mesa * 6 PM at New Mexico Highlands * 6 PM Western State * 2 PM Western New Mexico * 2 PM
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12
Western State College Opponent Angelo State at Idaho St. Chadron State * at Nebraska-Kearney * New Mexico Highlands * (HC) at Western New Mexico * Fort Lewis * at Colorado Mines * Colorado Mesa * at Colorado St.-Pueblo * at Adams State *
Time/Result L, 12-35 L, 7-44 L, 7-15 L, 14-55 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 2 PM 1 PM
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Time/Result W, 48-30 L, 13-58 L, 17-26 L, 0-47 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM
