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Adams State University

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Football Sports Information Director

FB | Grizzlies Host Skyhawks for 53rd Annual Musket Game

ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Football team is back home this weekend and are winners of their last two games. The Grizzlies will look to carry that momentum into this weekend.

OPPONENT: Fort Lewis College Skyhawks (1-3, 1-3 RMAC)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 - 1 p.m.

WHERE: Alamosa, Colo. - Rex Stadium

KICKOFF
The Adams State Grizzlies Football team is back home for its next two games as they get set to take on a pair of tough RMAC opponents. First up for the Grizzlies is in-state foe Fort Lewis College. The Skyhawks and Grizzlies will square off in the annual Musket Game

Entering week five, Adams State is now 2-2 after a thrilling overtime road win last weekend in Gunnison, Colo. over the Western Colorado Mountaineers. The Grizzlies downed the Mountaineers 55-52 in the 72mnd annual Colorado Classic to earn their second straight win of the season. It is also the first career Colorado Classic win for first year Head Coach Josh Blankenship at Adams State.

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's game wIll mark the 56th meeting all-time between the Grizzlies and Skyhawks. In terms of the Musket Game it will be the 53rd matchup between the two schools. Adams State leads the Musket Game series, 35-16-1 and the all-time series between the teams at 38-17-1.

Last season, the Grizzlies narrowly escaped Durango with the Musket as they pulled off a 34-27 win on the road. Prior to 2017, Fort Lewis had won the previous two meetings. The Skyhawks earned a win in Alamosa in 2016, 21-16, and also won handily in 2015 in Durango, 51-10.

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 31 and is on track to reach 40 by the season's end.

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 (421), touchdowns (6), AVG/G (105.3), and receptions (31). 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 383 receiving yards on 20 catches and three touchdowns. Surrell and Hovasse's success are also thanks in part to the solid play of Rooney. Rooney is coming off a 439 yard, five touchdown performance last week in the win over Western. His 1,182 total passing yards (3rd) this year and 11 touchdowns (2nd) both rank in the top-three in the conference.

Adams State's ground attack has been led by Tyree Harris this season. His 378 total rushing yards are fourth-most in the RMAC. He has three touchdowns on the year. Rooney is second in rushing on the team with 80 total rush yards. Kendrick Igbinoba is third with 56 rush yards.

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 currently leads Adams State with 45 tackles, with 29 of them being on a solo effort. He is second in the RMAC in total tackles, while his 29 solo tackles are atop the league. 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.

Leafa is second behind Jackson, totaling 37 tackles, with 22 being solo. His total tackles are tied for fifth in the conference and his 16 solo tackles are also tied for fifth. Isaia Rosten (23), Donovan Robinson (18), Adam Lucero (15), Leon Te'o (13), Deon Mayers (13), Corey Wright (13), Bryce Barnes (13), Braedem mayers (10), and Garrett Pemelton (10) all have double-digit tackles. Jackson, Meyer, Wright, and Rosten all have a forced fumble on the year. Wright leads the way with two.

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 is second in the RMAC in number of returns (12). He is also second in average yard per return (28.7), return yards (343), and longest return (70 yards).

UP NEXT
The Grizzlies will remain home at Rex Stadium next weekend. They will host Chadron State College for Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 6. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. against the Eagles.
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Players Mentioned

Chad Hovasse

#81 Chad Hovasse

WR
6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
Garrett Jackson

#13 Garrett Jackson

DB
6' 1"
Junior
Adam Lucero

#44 Adam Lucero

LB
6' 2"
Junior
Nick Rooney

#4 Nick Rooney

QB
6' 2"
Junior
Tyree Harris

#15 Tyree Harris

RB
5' 11"
Junior
Isaia Rosten

#35 Isaia Rosten

LB
6' 0"
Junior
Marquese Surrell

#18 Marquese Surrell

WR
6' 3"
Junior
Corey Wright

#26 Corey Wright

RB
5' 10"
Junior
Bryce Barnes

#31 Bryce Barnes

DB
6' 1"
Junior
Kendrick Igbinoba

#38 Kendrick Igbinoba

RB
6' 2"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Chad Hovasse

#81 Chad Hovasse

6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
WR
Garrett Jackson

#13 Garrett Jackson

6' 1"
Junior
DB
Adam Lucero

#44 Adam Lucero

6' 2"
Junior
LB
Nick Rooney

#4 Nick Rooney

6' 2"
Junior
QB
Tyree Harris

#15 Tyree Harris

5' 11"
Junior
RB
Isaia Rosten

#35 Isaia Rosten

6' 0"
Junior
LB
Marquese Surrell

#18 Marquese Surrell

6' 3"
Junior
WR
Corey Wright

#26 Corey Wright

5' 10"
Junior
RB
Bryce Barnes

#31 Bryce Barnes

6' 1"
Junior
DB
Kendrick Igbinoba

#38 Kendrick Igbinoba

6' 2"
Graduate Student
RB

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