GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (October 22nd, 2016) – On Saturday night Adams State University fell, 63-42, against Colorado Mesa University from Stocker Stadium.
An offensive shootout emerged from the get-go as the two conference foes combined for 502 yards and six touchdowns in the first quarter.
After a CMU (6-2, 6-2 RMAC) touchdown on the opening drive, Adams State (1-6, 1-6 RMAC) responded with an impressive 9 play, 75-yard drive that was led by the passing of
Jorge Hernandez. The drive culminated with an 8-yard Hernandez to
Phil Romero touchdown strike. The duo would connect again early in the second quarter for a 3-yard touchdown.
The Grizzlies found no issue moving the ball on offense but unfortunately the same held true for Colorado Mesa as running back David Tann impressed with all six CMU touchdowns in the first half. Tann's first half stats included 213 yards of total offense with five touchdowns coming on the ground and one through the air. The Grizzlies did manage to stifle Tann for a goal line stop on the last play before halftime. CMU quarterback Eystin Salum entered halftime a perfect 14-of-14 for 237 yards and a touchdown pass.
In an effort to combat the Mavericks, the ASU offense relied on Hernandez's arm as the junior transfer completed a pass to six different receivers in the opening half.
Corey Brown provided a steady run attack with a pair of first half touchdowns.
After matching CMU's scoring production in the second quarter, Adams State was unable to repeat that feat in the third. Tann added his seventh touchdown of the night on the team's opening drive as Salum found Josh Brown for a 23-yard strike before the quarter ended. Adams State's drives in the third quarter resulted in a
Zach Cimaglia punt and a Hernandez interception.
The fourth quarter did result in Romero's third touchdown reception of the game. Romero's 1-yard catch from Hernandez capped off an 8 play, 76-yard drive elapsing 3 minutes, 11-seconds. A
Wesley Brandon forced fumble and
RJ Martin fumble recovery on the next CMU drive set up Adams State's final scoring production of the game. With the drive starting on CMU's 34-yard line, the Grizzlies picked up a big 15-yard run from Brown after a sack to push momentum back towards ASU. A 9-yard Romero catch brought the ball down to the 2-yard line but it took a fourth down conversion to keep the drive alive before Hernandez pushed forward for a 1-yard quarterback sneak to reach paydirt.
The score gave Adams State a single-game high 42 points during the 2016 season. The Grizzlies finished the game 8-of-16 on third down, 3-of-3 on fourth down, and went a perfect 5-of-5 in redzone scoring opportunities.
However, Colorado Mesa produced favorable stats including 826 yards of total offense with 519 of those yards coming from the ground game. Tann finished with 262 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns. Salum posted 275 yards rushing and 307 yards passing along with two touchdowns.
Colorado Mesa scored a touchdown on nine of their 10 drives to start the game including a string a six consecutive touchdown drives.
Hernandez had a game-high 378 yards passing with three touchdowns while going 29-of-47 through the air. Brown amassed 107 yards on the ground with two scores as Romero hauled in a game-high 10 receptions for 96 yards and three touchdowns.
Chad Hovasse had five receptions for 122 yards.
Morris Gilbert led all defenders with 13 tackles along with one tackle-for-loss (2 yards).
Tim Brown Jr. followed with 12 tackles and a tackle-for-loss (1 yard).
The Grizzlies return home on Oct. 29
th to face new RMAC foe Dixie State University. Kickoff is set for 1:00pm from Rex Field. The game will serve as Homecoming and Senior Day for the program. The game will also feature a Black Out theme encouraging fans to don their best all black apparel.
