ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Football team will look to build momentum from their win last week as they will try to pick up their second win of the season and get back to .500.
OPPONENT: Western State Colorado Mountaineers (0-3, 0-2 RMAC)
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 - 2Â p.m.
WHERE: Gunnison, Colo. - Mountaineer Bowl
KICKOFF
The Adams State Grizzlies Football team is back on the road for week four as they head up the road to Gunnison to take on the Western State Colorado University Mountaineers. The Grizzlies and Mountaineers will square for the 72nd Annual Colorado Classic. The two teams will battle for the Colorado Classic Trophy.
Entering week four, Adams State is 1-2 after exciting home opening win over Black Hills State in week three. The Grizzlies took down the Yellow Jackets 44-41 in the home opener to earn their first win of the season. It is also the first career win for first year Head Coach Josh Blankenship at Adams State.
SERIES HISTORY
In 72 all-time meetings between the two schools, the Mountaineers lead the series over the Grizzlies 40-31. Adams State took home the trophy in 2017 with a 51-14 win in Rex Stadium.
Both teams have each won the last two matchups on their home field. The Mountaineers took down the Grizzlies 56-25 in 2016 in Gunnison and have a 21-13 edge on their home field.
ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
Chad Hovasse continues to make history for Adams State Football. Despite the Grizzlies loss to the Cowboys, Hovasse pulled in career touchdown No. 27, passing Chris Perry for the all-time lead in program history. With the record in hand, Hovasse has expanded it to 29 and is one touchdown away from 30.
Hovasse already put together the second-best season in school history with 87 receptions last season. He led the conference in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns while putting himself tied for sixth in the conference in scoring behind five running backs and a kicker. This led the junior being named a nominee for the Harlon Hill Award for the best player in Division II.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Hovasse currently ranks in the top-five in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in a number of receiving categories including yards (285), touchdowns (4), AVG/G (95.0), and receptions (18). Giving the Grizzlies offense life is fellow senior receiver Marquese Surrell and quarterback Nick Rooney.
Surrell also ranks in the top-five in a number of categories. He has 285 receiving yards on 11 catches and a pair of catches. Surrell and Hovasse's success are also thanks in part to the solid play of Rooney. Rooney is coming off a 308 yard performance last week in the win over BHSU. His 743 total passing yards this year and six touchdowns both rank in the top-five in the conference.
Adams State's ground attack has been led by Tyree Harris the last three games. The senior is coming off a 300 yard performance against BHSU (254 rushing, 46 receiving). His 318 total rushing yards are third most in the RMAC. He has three touchdowns on the year. Isaiah Brown and Rooney are both second in rushing on the team with 45 total rush yards apiece.
DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK
Defensive back Garrett Jackson continues to lead the way for the Grizzlies defense. He has also had some help from fellow defensive back Sipa Leafa. Jackson not only the led conference but all of Division II in tackles per game with more than a dozen per contest in 2017. He had 88 solo tackles last season in his 10 games, and despite having two less games than some this season. He currently leads Adams State with 31 tackles, with 24 of them being on a solo effort. He is third in the RMAC in total tackles, while his 24 solo tackles are atop the league.
Leafa is not far behind Jackson, totaling 29 tackles, with 16 being solo. His total tackles are tied for fifth in the conference and his 16 solo tackles are also tied for fifth. Isaia Rosten (14), Deon Mayers (13), Adam Lucero (12), Leon Te'o (12), Donovan Robinson (11), and Bryce Barnes (10) all have double-digit tackles. Jackson, Braeden Meyer, Corey Wright, and Rosten all have a forced fumble on the year.
Special teams wise, the Grizzlies have 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. Surrell has been a key on special teams for Adams State. The senior leads the RMAC in number of returns (10). He is second in average yard per return (31.7), return yards (317), and longest return (70 yards).
UP NEXT
The Grizzlies will return home to Rex Stadium next weekend. They will host Fort Lewis College for the annual Musket Game. It will also be the Hall of Fame game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. against the Skyhawks.
