GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Adams State University Football dropped a heartbreaker in overtime Saturday night on the road as they fell to Colorado Mesa, 64-63. With the loss, the Grizzlies move to 4-6 overall and 4-5 in RMAC play.

Despite out-gaining Colorado Mesa in total offensive yards, 769-554, Adams State was unable to secure their third overtime win of the season. Injuries at quarterback for the Grizzlies, paired by a late surge from the Mavericks ultimately proved to be the difference maker in what was shootout.

The Mavericks (6-4, 5-4 RMAC) got on the board first in their opening drive. They went 67 yards in nine plays and grabbed the 7-0 lead on a nine-yard rush. The Grizzlies wasted little time responding. Quarterback John Buksa and company went 75 yards in 1:28 and needed just seven plays to tie the game. Buksa closed out the drive with a quick five yard pass to Chad Hovasse.

Colorado Mesa retook the lead as an unlucky role on special teams set up the home team for a quick score. The Grizzlies forced the Mavericks to punt on their next possession, but the kick grazed Hovasse's leg which led to a recovery by the home team at the Grizzlies 13 yard line. The Mavericks quickly answered and led 14-7.

Adams State needed just two plays to go 76 yards and tie the game at 14-14. Buksa started the drive with an eight-yard run. He then hit a wide open Tyree Harris down the field for a 68 yard touchdown pass. Defensive intensity picked up for the Grizzlies as they forced the Mavs to kick a field goal but it was missed from 49 yards out.

Capitalizing on the field position, the Adams State offense grabbed the team's first lead on the next drive. Buksa led the Grizzlies 68 yards down the field with nine plays and used up 2:47. He capped the drive with a 13-yard keeper to give the Grizzlies a 21-14 advantage going into the second quarter.

The Grizzlies defense forced the Mavericks to punt to start the second quarter after Deon Mayers made a huge sack at the end of the first. Following the Mavericks punt, the offense drove 99 yards in 10 plays and chewed up three minutes off the clock. Buksa found Harris for a second time of the night, this time on a 27 yard strike to give Adams State a commanding 28-14 lead.

Adams State tried an onside kick attempt on the ensuing kickoff but Colorado Mesa was ready and got the recovery. With just 48 yards in front of them, the Mavericks scored in just two plays. A 52-yard touchdown pass on the second play cut the Grizzlies lead to 28-21.

The Grizzlies defense held their rhythm forced the Mavericks to punt again on their next possession. Their high-level of play was once again rewarded. A seven play, 82 yard drive was brought to close when Buksa threw his fourth touchdown pass of the night. He found Marquese Surrell on a six-yard slant route and the Grizzlies pushed their lead back to two possessions, 35-21.

The Mavericks got just one more score up before halftime in a 22 yard field goal. The Grizzlies led 35-24 going into the break as the two teams combined for 691 yards of total offense and 59 points scored.

The second half started off as a defensive bout as both teams were forced to punt on their first two possessions that chewed well up over half the time off the clock. The Grizzlies third punt fell in their favor as the Mavericks muffed the kick and Kenny Hughes recovered it at the visitor 24 yard line.

The Grizzlies did not get a touchdown after recovering the fumble, but Erick Ruiz extended the Grizzlies lead to 14 with a 39 yard field goal attempt. His make gave the Grizzlies a 38-24 edge, but the game once again became a shootout.

The Mavericks scored the next possession to cut their deficit to one touchdown, 38-31. The drive took just 1:22 off the clock and with 4:50 left on the third, things started to get interesting. Colorado Mesa then blocked the Adams State punt on the next drive and returned it for a touchdown. In less than two minutes, the game was tied at 38-all with 3;27 left in the third.

Adams State answered with :27 left in the third quarter as Michael Morales hit Jordan Simon for a 13 yard touchdown. Going into the final 15 minutes of regulation, Adams State led 44-38.

After forcing the Mavericks to punt, the Grizzlies pushed lead back to 14 early in the fourth. Morales hit Surrell on a quick strike and Surrell did the rest. After catch he got by the defense and went 66 yards to the end zone to give the Grizzlies a 50-38 lead. The Grizzlies looked to go for two but their attempt failed and the Mavericks were able to return a fumble 99 yards to bring the score to 50-40.

Colorado Mesa cut the Adams State lead to three on the next drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass. The score capped off a five play, 57 yard drive. The Grizzlies answered on their next drive to push the lead back to 10. Morales once again found Simon in the end zone to close out a 6 play, 75 yard drive that last 2:14.

Leading 57-47 with 9:14, the Grizzlies were not able to score again in regulation. The Mavericks cut the lead to one touchdown with a 42 yard field goal with just over six minutes left in the game. The game was deadlocked at 57-50 in favor of the Grizzlies for the majority of the fourth after the field goal. Colorado Mesa ultimately tied the game at 57-57 with :43 left in regulation. The Grizzlies looked to win in as time expired but Ruiz was unable to make a 59 yard field goal attempt as time expired.

In overtime, the Mavericks had the ball first and scored on a one yard touchdown run to lead 64-57. The Grizzlies matched their touchdown with one of their own. Miles Fishback hit Morales on an eight yard pass for the trick play to bring the score to 64-63. The Grizzlies elected to go for the win but a muffed pitch from Morales was too high for Harris as the Mavericks walked away with the one-point victory.

Buksa started the night at quarterback for an injured Nick Rooney. In three quarters of action, Buksa was 19-33 through the air for 283 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 118 yards on 12 carries and had one score. He finished the night with 401 yards of total offense. Morales was 11-21 passing and threw three touchdowns for a total of 197 yards.

On the grounds, Harris led the way with a game-high 173 yards on 22 touches. Harriss also had two catches, both for touchdowns for a total of 95 yards. The receiving corps was led by Surrell who had 11 catches for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns Simon also had two touchdowns as he made three catches for 24 yards. Hovasse added one score and finished with 70 yards on five catches.

Defensively, Isaia Rosten led the Grizzlies in tackles with 13. Garrett Jackson was right behind him 12 tackles, with eight being on a solo effort. He also had one interception on the night. The Grizzlies totaled a season-high six sacks in the game. Vaega Lolohea led the way 2.5 for a loss of 15 yards. The Grizzlies also had three forced fumbles on the night.

Adams State will wrap up the 2018 season at home next Saturday, Nov. 9, against Dixie State. It will also be Senior Day as the Grizzlies will honor 17 seniors prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff.