Football | 9/13/2016 8:57:00 AM

ALAMOSA, Colo. (September 13, 2016) – The 51^st annual Musket Game will commence this Saturday as Adams State University hosts RMAC rival, Fort Lewis College. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. from Rex Field. The Grizzlies look to avenge a 51-10 defeat last season and to move into the win column for the first time in 2016. Game coverage links can be found above.

Last Time Out For ASU
A slow start plagued by three interceptions in the first quarter, positioned Adams State in a difficult spot against Western State Colorado University during the 70^th Colorado Classic on Sept. 10^th. The dismal start helped the Mountaineers jump to a 35-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Moving forward the Grizzlies' defense fought back by creating four turnovers but the damage was too much to overcome as Adams State fell, 56-25.

About The Skyhawks
Like the Grizzlies, the Skyhawks enter Saturday's tilt with a 0-2, 0-2 RMAC record. In week one, Fort Lewis fell to Chadron State (L, 17-10) on the road then returned home last Saturday only to fall to Black Hills State University (L, 39-36). While the offense ranks 10^th in the RMAC with 310 yards per game, the FLC defense ranks first by allowing a mere 284.0 yards per game. Their defense is the only conference school allowing fewer than 300 yards/game to the opposition. Dixie State – ranked second in RMAC total defense – allows 342.5 yards per game. FLC's OJ Thompson ranks second in the conference with his two sacks.

Last We Met
Adams State fell 51-10 on the road to Fort Lewis last season. The Grizzlies amassed 252 yards of total offense as the Skyhawks countered with 410 yards of total offense highlighted by 248 yards rushing.

Fort Lewis tallied four rushing touchdowns; including two in the opening quarter that placed ASU in an early 14-0 hole.  The Skyhawks' lead expanded to 21-0 before a Zach Cimaglia 42-yard field goal put the Grizzlies on the board late in the second quarter. However, FLC tacked on a 48-yard field goal before the break for a 24-3 halftime lead.

Fort Lewis continued to distance themselves in the third with 13 unanswered points as ASU still searched for a touchdown. The drought ended on the team's first series of the fourth as Phil Romero hauled in a 28-yard touchdown throw. However, the Skyhawks added two more touchdowns after that to produce a final score of 51-10.

About the Musket Game
The Springfield .45-70 military issue rifle that serves as the traveling trophy between Fort Lewis College and Adams State University was donated in 1966 to the two athletic departments by Mahlon "Butch" White, who was involved with the First National Banks in both Alamosa and Durango, in memory of William White. The rifle is to be retained by the winning school at their annual football game. Traditionally, seniors from the winning team get to fire the rifle at the conclusion the game.

Despite last season's loss, ASU still holds a 34-15-1 edge in the trophy series and a 37-16-1 lead in the overall series with Fort Lewis. In 2014 when the two teams met on Rex Field, Adams State won 34-30.

Conference Leaders
Senior linebacker John Reed enters week three as your leading RMAC tackler. Through two games, Reed has 26 total tackles (11 solo). Morris Gilbert is tied for sixth in tackles with 17 (7 solo). Here are some other notable marks for Adams State at the conference level.

Player                                Category (rank)                                  Stats
Corey Brown                        Rushing (6^th)                                      193 total yards
Corey Brown                        Rushing/Game (6^th)                             96.5 yards/game
Chad Hovasse                     Receptions/Game (T-5^th)                      6 receptions/game
Chad Hovasse                     Receiving Yards/Game (7^th)                 78.5 yards/game
Conner Johnson                  Passes Defended (T-7^th)                       3 passes defended
 
Pick 6
In the loss to Western State, senior defensive back Tim Brown Jr. picked off two Mountaineer passes in the second half. Brown Jr. returned his first pick 39-yards for a touchdown. His second interception set up an 8 play, 34-yard scoring drive for Adams State. With two interceptions on the season, Brown Jr. is tied for third amongst RMAC players.

Fumble!
Senior linebacker Wesley Brandon has produced a forced fumble and fumble recovery in each game of the 2016 season. His two forced fumbles is best at the conference level while his two fumble recoveries is tied for first in the RMAC.

Introducing Your Team Captains
The Grizzlies turn to a group of five student-athletes in 2016 with the designation of team captain. Wide receiver Chad Hovasse and lineman Addison Farmer were tabbed offensive captains. Meanwhile, linebackers John Land and John Reed alongside defensive back Demari Reynolds earned captain status amongst defensive players.

The ASU Tailgate Experience (Order Form)
Returning for 2016 home games is the tailgating area located between the Student Union Building and the Administration Housing office. Tailgating will be made available three hours prior to game time and close 30 minutes before kickoff. Food and alcoholic beverages may be brought into the sectioned tailgate area but are prohibited from exiting the designated area. Only gas grills are allowed and must be accompanied with a mat underneath to catch grease. No open fires or charcoal grills are allowed. Reserve a tailgating spot today for only $10 and send completed order forms to diannelee@adams.edu or fax to 719-587-7276.

Program To Represent San Luis Valley With Helmet Decal
Head Coach Timm Rosenbach has announced the addition of an SLV decal on the back of each helmet to signify the San Luis Valley's importance to the Adams State football program.

"We wanted to do something to represent where we live not just where we go to school." Rosenbach said of the new decal, "The people of the San Luis Valley provide us with great fan support and are extremely active in Grizzly Club. We are their team and the new decal shows our appreciation for all they do."

The decal will be displayed on the white matte helmet and the traditional green helmet. The SLV decal marks the second consecutive season of uniform upgrades for the program. Prior to the 2015 season, the Grizzlies ushered in their white matte helmet, a gray alternative jersey, and upgrades to their traditional home and away jerseys. The assortment of new gear has allowed the program to utilize different uniform combinations on a game-by-game basis.

Team Posters
Stop by the athletic department offices in Plachy Hall to pick up your 2016 ASU schedule posters! Fans can also view posters at www.asugrizzlies.com by navigating to the "Fan Zone" tab.

Stay Connected
For any updates regarding Adams State athletics stay connected with www.asugrizzlies.com! Updates are also available through the Grizzlies official Twitter (@ASUGrizzlies) and Facebook (/TheAsuGrizzlies) accounts.