ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Grizzlies Football team is riding a high wave of momentum entering week seven of the 2018 campaign. The Grizzlies have won four straight games after starting the season 0-2 and will take their win streak north as RMAC play heats up.

OPPONENT: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers (3-3, 2-3 RMAC)

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 - 1 p.m.

WHERE: Rapid City, S.D. - O'Harra Stadium

KICKOFF
Entering week seven, Adams State will head to Rapid City, S.D. to take on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers. The Grizzlies are 4-2 overall with the same mark in conference play while the 'Rockers are 3-3 overall and 2-3 in RMAC play. The Grizzlies are coming off a high scoring homecoming win last weekend as they defeated the Chadron State College eagles, 65-62, at home. The 'Rockers also had a high scoring win as they downed Black Hills State, 62-14, last weekend at home.

The Grizzlies will look to push their win streak to five. They have already matched their win total from the 2017 season and arelooking to reach five wins for the first time since the 2013 season when they finished 7-4. First year Head Coach Josh Blankenship has led the Grizzlies to wins in the Colorado Classic and Musket Game. It is the second straight year Adams State has won both games.

SERIES HISTORY
Last season, the Grizzlies put up 52 points as they held off the 'Rockers in a 52-44 win inside Rex Stadium. The 'Rockers took the win in 2016, 62-35, in South Dakota. Prior to the 2016 season, the Grizzlies and 'Rockers have never met on the gridiron. In the short history between the two schools, it is a 1-1 tie in this matchup. 

HIGH SCORING ATTACK
The Grizzlies are showcasing their high octane attack once again following their 65-62 win over the Eagles last weekend. Entering this weekend, Adams State is ranked in the top-10 in a number of offense categories. The Grizzlies fourth in Division II in passing offense (335.0 YPG), sixth in total first downs (155), ninth in red zone offense (.931 PCT), seventh in scoring offense (42.7 PPG), and ninth in total offense (504.3 YPG).

In all four of their wins this year, the Grizzlies have scored 40-plus points in every win. Quarterback Nick Rooney has thrown at least four touchdown in each of the Grizzlies win and amassed at least 300 passing yards in each win. Rooney currently leadst he RMAC in passing touchdowns (22), yards (1,952), average/game (325.3), total offense (2,134 yards), and total offense/game (355.7 yards). In Division II, his 22 touchdowns and 1,952 yards are second most. His 325.3 passing yards and 355.7 total yards per game per game are both third.

A part of Rooney's success is he has found a trio of receivers that have stepped in different way in Chad Hovasse, Marquese Surrell, and Miles Fishback. Hovasse is second in the RMAC in receiving touchdowns with 11, which is tied for second in Division II. His 723 receiving yards are second in the RMAC and fourth in Division II. He is third in the league in receiving yards a game (120.5), while ranking in Division II. He also leads the RMAC in receptions per game and is second in Division II at 8.8 per game. 

Surrell has been a two-way threat on offense and on special teams. He is fourth in the RMAC in touchdowns (5), fourth in average/game (97.0 yards), and is second in receptions/game (7.2). On special teams, Surrell is tied for second in the league with 18 returns, while his average of 24.9 yards/return is sixth. In all-purpose yards, he is second at 171.7 yards per game and 1,030 total yards. His all-purpose average is eighth in all of Division II. His 7.2 receptions per game is tied for eighth in Division II. 

Fishback is third on the team with four touchdowns including the gamewinner in the 48-42 overtime win over Fort Lewis College. He's pulled in 11 catches this season for 164 yards. He is tied for seventh in touchdowns in the RMAC. Another go to weapon for the Grizzlies is running back Tyree Harris. 

He is the team's top rusher averaging 114.5 yards per game. He's racked up 687 yards on the ground and has nine touchdowns on the year. Harris has also pulled down 16 receptions for 247 yards. His total rush yards are second in the RMAC, while his average is fourth. He is tied for first in touchdowns. In all-purpose yards, Harris is third in average with 155.7 yards per game. Harris' all-purpose average is 13th in Division II. His nine rushing touchdowns is tied for ninth in Division II, while his 687 rush yards are ninth alone. His 114.5 rush average is 15th in Division II.

DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKERS
Through six weeks of play, defensive back Garrett Jackson continues to lead the way for the Grizzlies defense. Right behind him is fellow defensive back Sipa Leafa who has provided a spark in his freshman campaign. Jackson currently leads Adams State with 57 tackles, with 34 of them being on a solo effort. He is fourth in the RMAC in total tackles, while his 34 solo tackles are third in the league. He is tied for second on the team in interceptions with one.

Leafa is second behind Jackson, totaling 49 tackles, with 31 being solo. His total tackles are 11th in the conference and his 31 solo tackles are tied for fourth. He leads the team in interceptions with two, which is tied for fifth-most in the RMAC. His 76 combined yards on interception returns is fourth-highest in the conference.

Isaia Rosten (38), Donovan Robinson (22), Bryce Barnes (21), Adam Lucero (20), Leon Te'o (20), and Deon Mayers (20) all have 20 or more tackles. Braeden Meyer (18), Garrett Pemelton (17), Sergio Mendoza (14), Vaega Lolohea, and Nick Bundy (10) all have at least 10 tackles. Jackson, Meyer, Rosten, Thomas Reed III, and Erick Ruiz all have a forced fumble on the year. Rosten leads the way with two. Robinson and Barnes also have an interception on the year as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK
Special teams wise, the Grizzlies have just one touchdown return this year thanks in part to Keyon Thomas. He had an 82 yard kickoff return to the house against the Cowboys in week three. A key weapon is Surrell. He is tied for second in the league with 18 returns, while his average of 24.9 yards/return is sixth. In all-purpose yards, he is second at 171.7 yards per game and 1,030 total yards. His all-purpose average is eighth in all of Division II. His 7.2 receptions per game is tied for eighth in Division II.

Ruiz has been a key factor in kickoff and was a workhorse for the Grizzlies on special teams this past Saturday. The junior had 11 kickoffs for a total of 629 yards and averaged 57 yards per kickoff attempt. He had one touchback in that span and also totaled three tackles. He also had a forced fumble that came late in the fourth quarter. The Oroville, Calif. native knocked in one field from 27 yards out and finished 8-of-9 in PAT's for the Grizzlies. He is fifth in the RMAC in made field goals with five. He is 5-for-5 in field goals which leads the RMAC in percentage. His 42 points are fifth among kickers in the RMAC. He is one of six kickers in Division II that has yet to miss a field goal this season.

UP NEXT
The Grizzlies will be back in Alamosa next weekend. They will play host to Colorado State-Pueblo on Saturday, Oct. 20. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. against the Thunderwolves.