ALAMOSA, Colo. – In what many called a shootout for the ages, Saturday afternoon's game between the Adams State University Football team and Chadron State College was one fans will remember for years to come. The Grizzlies defeated the Eagles (4-2) 65-62 inside Rex Stadium to improve to 4-2 on the year.

The Homecoming contest between the two schools was one that had a combined 127 points scored, 1,124 yards of combined offense, and 18 total touchdowns. It was a high scoring affair that left fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Like they did in the previous two games, the Grizzlies win was not determined until the very end, but this time the Grizzlies did not need overtime to secure the victory.

There were a number of top plays from the Grizzlies on both sides of the ball and it showed early. After forcing a quick three-and-out against Adams State, the Eagles looked positioned to score first. The Grizzlies had other plans though as Garrett Jackson picked off quarterback Dalton Holst on the very first play to get the ball back to the home team on the opposing 25 yard line.

The Grizzlies capitalized on the play and used that momentum to score on the ensuing drive. Nick Rooney started his six touchdown day with a 13 yard pass to Miles Fishback. The drive took just five plays and 1:05 off the clock and the Grizzlies led 7-0 early.

The Eagles responded at the 9:45 mark of the first quarter with a rush by Kevin Coy Jr. from a yard out. The Eagles got help with a forced fumble against the Grizzlies. A missed extra point attempt by Carson Reed kept the Grizzlies lead at one, 7-6.

Adams State immediately responded as Rooney found Fishback for a second time, this time on a flea flicker play attempt from 31 yards out to push the lead to 14-6. It then became a shootout as CSC countered with a touchdown on its next drive. Holst hit Cole Thurnes on a quick two yard strike to cut the Grizzlies lead back to one, 14-13.

The Grizzlies first rushing touchdown came with 1:27 to play in the quarter with Tyree Harris scoring from a yard out to make it a 21-13 lead. The defense once again picked off Holst on the next drive as Sipa Leafa pulled in the interception at the visitor's 49 and got it down to the 31. Rooney once again carried the momentum on the Grizzlies very first play of the drive. He hit Chad Hovasse in stride for a 31 yard touchdown as the first quarter came to a close. After just one quarter of play it was 28-13, Adams State, and fans were in for a wild ride.

The Eagles scored on their second quarter opening drive. Holst found Brandon Fullerton from 28 yards out to cut the Grizzlies lead back to one possession, 28-20. Once again, the Grizzlies answered but with a field goal to go up double-digits again, 31-20. Erick Ruiz hit a 27 yard attempt to keep the Grizzlies in the driver seat.

CSC continued the theme of scoring with another touchdown on the following drive. Holst found Tevon Wright for a 16 yard score and the Grizzlies lead was cut to four, 31-27, with 6:36 to play in the first half. Like the gunslinger he is, Rooney led the offense back onto the field to push their lead back to 11 points at 38-27. Rooney hit Hovasse for a second time this time from nearly half the field's distance with a 43 catch and run for the score.

Keeping the theme of high scoring affair alive for fans in attendance, the Eagles found the end zone thanks in part to Coy Jr. scoring on a 83 yards sprint on the first play of the drive. With just over 3:30 left to play in the half, the Grizzlies held a 38-34 edge over CSC. Both teams scored one more time before the half ended to keeps things interesting.

Rooney continued to showcase the Grizzlies high octane attack with another touchdown to Hovasse, this time from 29 yards out. With :57 on the clock the Grizzlies led CSC 45-34 but the Eagles still had one more touchdown up their sleeve. Coy Jr. scored from two yards out to cap a three play, 40 yard drive for the Eagles. CSC then converted on a two-point attempt and it was a 45-42 Adams State lead going into the break.

After scoring a combined 87 points in the first 30 minutes of play, the third quarter saw a goose egg on the scoreboard by both teams. Despite no scoring on either side, the game was headed toward another exciting finish. Both teams delivered on that as they put up a combined 40 points in the fourth act.

The Eagles secured their first lead of the game to start the fourth quarter with a drive that started in the third. Holst gave CSC its lead with a 51 yard pass to Thurnes to bring the score to 49-45. Like they did all through the first half, the Grizzlies responded. Rooney continued Adams State attack, but this time he did it with his feet with an 11 yard keeper. Following a three-and-out series by CSC, the Grizzlies defense was rewarded for their play as the offense found the end zone again. Hovasse pulled in a 12 yard touchdown pass to wrap up an eight play, 80 yard drive. With 6:28 to play in regulation, Adams State led 58-49.

On the ensuing kickoff, Ruiz forced a fumble that Jordan Simon recovered and it seem the Grizzlies had a chance to put the game away. The CSC defense held them from scoring and on the Grizzlies punt by John Bowers was blocked. CSC recovered the ball at Grizzly 11 yard line and two plays later Holst hit Fullerton from 11 yards out and the Grizzlies lead was cut to three, 58-55.

CSC then tried an onside kick attempt but the Grizzlies recovered it at the Eagles 28 yard line. Two plays later, Harris found the end zone for a second time with a 22 yard run. With the extra point, the Grizzlies reached their total and led 65-58. The Eagles added one final score on the ensuing drive. Holst got the Eagles down to the Adams State five yard line before fumbling the ball. Teammate Jackson Dickerson was there for the recovery at the two and crossed the goal line to bring the score to 65-62, Grizzlies. 

The Eagles once again tried an onside kick attempt but the Grizzlies were ready for it and recovered. The offense stepped on the field and set up their victory formation to secure the win and end Homecoming on their terms. The Grizzlies have now won four straight games after starting the season 0-2. They already matched their win total from a season ago and are showcasing their high octane attack once again.

Rooney led the Grizzlies offense but was not the only one to play hero. He finished 32-of-44 with six passing touchdowns and 386 yards. He also added 66 yards rushing on 13 carries to go along with one score. He totaled 452 yards of total offense. On the ground, Harris posted 194 yards rushing with two touchdowns on 34 touches. Hovasse led the receiving corps with 12 catches for 163 yards and four touchdowns. Fishback added two touchdowns and racked up 55 yards on four catches. Harris added five receptions for 106 yards. Marquese Surrell pulled in nine catches for 51 yards.

Defensively, Deon Mayers and Isaia Rostern both totaled seven tackles to lead the Grizzlies, with Rosten leading the way with five solo tackles. Right behind them was Leon Te'o with six tackles, while Garrett Jackson, Sipa Leafa, and Vaega Lolohea all had five, respectively. Lolohea also added a sack for a loss of six yards, while Jakcson and Leafa each pulled down an interception. Rosten, Ruiz, and Thomas Reed III each had a forced fumble on the afternoon.

The Grizzlies will be on the next weekend as they head to Rapid City, S.D. to take on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers. The Oct. 13 matchup is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff.