Adams State University

ALAMOSA – With five turnovers on defense, Adams State University football team closed out the 2017 season with a 48-41 victory over New Mexico Highlands University. The Grizzlies finish the season with a 4-7 record, led by junior captain Chad Hovasse and the No.1-ranked passing offense in the nation.
 
Despite the score, the defense led the battle. The team broke the school record in forced fumbled in a game with six, as well tied the second-best game with four fumble recoveries. Oh yeah, and the defense also had an interception.
 
Garrett Jackson was the leader for the day, recording 16 tackles during the game. He also had a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and four pass breakups, three of which came on consecutive plays to halt the Cowboys comeback. Jackson was joined by AJ Deberard with one and a half sacks and a forced fumble, while RJ Martin also had half a sack, one and a half tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
 
On offense, quarterback Nick Rooney threw out five touchdowns and more than 360 yards in the win. The leading beneficiary to Rooney was Chad Hovasse. Hovasse took a bit to get his first catch, but took that catch for a 48 yard touchdown after breaking multiple tackles, breaking the career record for receiving yards on that play. He would continue to make impressive catches, finishing with five catches for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was just one catch shy of tying the single-season reception record.
 
Another receiver had an amazing day, Miles Fishback. Fishback made an extraordinary 49-yard touchdown in the fourth with three minutes remaining to seal the game. Fishback had a career-high 103 yards receiving on six catches.
 
The final piece to the puzzle was Corey Brown. Brown had 22 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. He also added four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown.