ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Grizzlies Football will look to bounce back from a season opening loss as hit the road once again in week two. The Grizzlies travel to Las Vegas, N.M. for matchup against the Cowboys of New Mexico Highlands. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Sanchez Stadium.

KICKOFF
Entering week two, Adams State is 0-1 after dropping their season opener to Colorado School of Mines, 49-7, last weekend. After taking on the Orediggers for the first time in a season opener, the Grizzlies will look to get back to .500 before returning home in the coming week.

Entering the 2018 campaign the Grizzlies were picked ninth the Rocky Mountain Athletic Preseason Coaches Poll. They picked ahead of Western State Colorado and New Mexico Highlands. This weekend's contest will determine how part of the preseason poll will play out.

SERIES HISTORY
Adams State has fared well against the Cowboys in recent memory winning the last five meetings. The last time New Mexico Highlands defeated Adams State was during the 2012 season. Since then, it has been the Grizzlies who have come out on top. 

One thing to expect though is a possible high scoring affair. Since 2010 these two teams have scored an average of 30 points against each other. Lat season, the Grizzlies defeated the Cowboys 48-41 in the finale to send their seniors out with a win.

ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
Chad Hovasse continues to make history for Adams State Football. Despite the Grizzlies loss, Hovasse pulled in career touchdown No. 26, tying him for the program record. He ties Chris Perry who also has 26 and needs just one more to sit alone in the top spot. 

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
Despite their week one struggles, the Grizzlies offensive attack is one that the Cowboys will have to be prepared for. Hovasse, along with one of the best receiving corps in the nation were large benefactors to quarterback Nick Rooney, who started in all but one game at quarterback and took the conference by storm the minute he stepped onto the field. In just 10 games played, Rooney led the RMAC in total offense with more than 331 yards per game, while leading the conference in passing average with 315 yards per game, nearly seven yards more than any other quarterback.

Rooney's 29 passing touchdowns were more than a pair of teams in the conference scored all season. He completed more than 61 percent of his throws last season and was named the RMAC Athlete of the Week in first start against Western State. He has one touchdown so far on the season, to Hovasse, and will look add more to their resumes.

Wide receiver Marquese Surrell will look to bounce back and find his offensive rhythm this weekend after making just three catches for 11 yards last week. Surrell was another standout receiver last year, ranking third in the RMAC in receptions per game and third in yards per game. He caught 10 touchdowns and was a large part of the kickoff return game with 48 returns. Last week against the Orediggers, he had five kickoff returns for a total of 170 yards, including along of 70 yards.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Sipa Leafa and Garrett Jackson will look to guide the Grizzlies defense to a bounce back performance this weekend. Leafa led the Grizzlies with 10 total tackles, while Jackson was right behind him with seven. Braeden Meyer has the lone forced fumble for Adams State and will also look to guide the defensive unit to strong outing.

Jackson will also look to continue being the top hitter for the Grizzlies. He not only the led conference but all of Division II in tackles per game with more than a dozen per contest. He had 88 solo tackles last season in his 10 games, and despite having two less games than some this season he had 18 more total tackles than any other defender in the conference.

SCOUTING THE COWBOYS
Dannny Cameron had a solid first week at quarterback for Highlands finishing 14-for-21 for 246 yards and a career-high four touchdowns for the Cowboys. D.J. McFadden pulled in five catches for 108 yards and two scores to lead the air attack. The Cowboys also had a solid ground attack, rushing for 200-plus yards, led by Dion Alston's 119 yards rushing on 13 carries while Dazmon Scott racked up 64 yards on 11 attempts. Also joining the rush attack was Elijah Boyd who totaled 43 yards and two touchdowns on 11 touches.

Reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Week Malik Brown was a ball hawk for the Cowboys picking off two passes in the second half of last week's game. He also had four tackles and a pass breakup. Eli Schoettmer has the most tackles so far with 11, while C.J. Waite and Caleb Glennon each put up 10 in the Cowboys win. Glennon also pulled in an interception in the win.