LAS VEGAS, N.M. - For the first time since 2012, the Adams State University Football team walked away from its contest against New Mexico Highlands University without a win. The Grizzlies moved to 0-2 Saturday afternoon after falling to the Cowboys, 65-37, on the road. The loss snaps a five game win streak against New Mexico Highlands.

In a game that saw the two teams put up a combined 1,075 yards of total offense, it was the second quarter that ultimately kept the Grizzlies from securing their first win of the season. The Cowboys scored 24 unanswered points in the second frame and held Adams State to just a field goal to take a 27-10 lead into halftime. 

The Grizzlies found themselves down 3-0 with 8:28 to play in the first quarter. Kicker Israel Farfan capped off the Cowboys second drive of the game with a 42 field goal. The Grizzlies wasted little time responding and taking their only lead of the game on their next possession. It took the offense just six plays and 1:57 off the clock to clear 75 yards for their first touchdown of the game.

Quarterback Nick Rooney found wide receiver Chad Hovasse down the field for a 45 yard touchdown pass. The pass not only gave the Grizzlies the 7-3 lead following the extra point, but it also etched Hovasse into the Adams State record books. Entering Saturday's contest, Hovasse had 26 career touchdown receptions tying him for first all-time in Grizzlies Football history. Rooney's 45 yard strike now puts Hovasse all alone atop the mountain with 27 career touchdown receptions.

Entering the second quarter, New Mexico Highlands cut the Grizzlies lead to 7-6 with another field goal from Farfan. His second attempt was good from 30 yards out and it got the Cowboys within one with 14:01 to play in the half. On the very next possession, the Cowboys immediately got the ball back with an interception by T.J. Jackson at the Adams State 30 yard line. With a short field, New Mexico Highlands needed just four plays to retake the lead. Quarterback Danny Cameron hit Zach Drew-Toles on a 10 yard pass and the extra point gave the Cowboys a 13-7 lead.

Following a three-and-out by the Grizzlies, the Cowboys burned clock time on their next possession going 67 yards in nine plays. Their drive started at the 8:35 mark and took just under five minutes. A two yard rushing touchdown by Elijah Boyd pushed the Cowboys lead to 20-7. The Grizzlies looked to keep things close as Erick Ruiz hit a 28 yard field goal attempt to cut New Mexico Highlands lead to 20-10.

The Cowboys' offense came right back on to the field and answered the Adams State field goal before halftime. With 2:33 on the clock, New Mexico Highlands drove 83 yards on four plays in just 1:46. Cameron once again found Drew-Toles on another 10 yard touchdown pass. Going into halftime the Grizzlies trailed the Cowboys by 17 points.

At the start of the second half, the Cowboys continued where they left off from the first half scoring another 24 unanswered points. The Grizzlies offense came to life in the third as they scored 20 points, but never got their deficit to single digits. New Mexico Highlands received the ball to start the half and scored in just three plays to go up 34-10. Cameron threw his third touchdown of the day as he found Devon Henderson on a 25 yard strike.

The Cowboy defense on their next possession picked off Rooney for a second time as Jackson pulled down his second interception of the day and returned it 45 yards to the Adams State 36 yard line. The Cowboys turned the Grizzlies turnover into three points with a 33 field goal from Farfan to push their lead to 37-10.

On the ensuing kickoff, The Grizzlies got their first special teams touchdown of the season as Keyon Thomas went 82 yards on his return for the score and cut Adams State deficit to 37-17. New Mexico Highlands once again responded as they went 81 yards in seven plays to push their lead to 44-17. Cameron found Dione Alston for a 17 yard touchdown pass, his fourth of the day.

Tyree Harris scored on the Grizzlies next possession with a five yard touchdown run. Adams State went for the two point-conversion but failed so the score stood at 44-23. The Cowboys answered with a rushing touchdown of their own for nine yards for their final score of the third quarter. They led 51-23 following the extra point. The Grizzlies final score of the quarter came on a fumble recovery. Harris took a handoff at the Cowboy three yard line and coughed up the ball at the two, but tight end Ian Fryday recovered the ball in the end zone to give the Grizzlies a touchdown.

New Mexico Highlands final 14 points came on its first two possessions of the fourth quarter. The first was on a drive that started in the third. Henderson rushed for a ten yard score to close out an eight play, 75 yard drive. On the next possession, Jackson picked off Rooney for a third time to give the Cowboys the ball with just 11 yards to clear. Kamari Mosby scored the final Cowboy touchdown with an 11 yard rush.

The Grizzlies got into scoring territory on their next possession but New Mexico Highlands got a fourth down stop at the own 11 yard line to keep the Grizzlies out of the end zone. The Grizzlies lone touchdown of the fourth came on their next offensive possession. John Buksa capped a seven play 45 yard drive with a nine yard pass to Fryday to bring the final score to 65-37.

Cameron led the Cowboys offensive attack on 23-25 passing for 275 yards and four touchdowns. Alston complimented Cameron's air attack with 161 rushing yards and one touchdown. Drew-Toles and Henderson each had five catches. Drew-Toles led the way with 88 yards and two touchdowns, while Henderson had 67 yards and one touchdown. Malik Brown and Cameron Forziati each led the Cowboys defense with six tackles, respectively. Jackson's three interception returns on the day totaled for 71 yards.

Rooney was 11-17 through the air with 328 yards and a touchdown. Buksa was 5-7 for 58 yards and a touchdown as well. Hovasse pulled in the most catches with five for a total 136 yards and a touchdown. Surrell had the most receiving yards with 155 on three catches, with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Harris led the ground attack with 49 yards on 11 carries and one score. Garrett Jackson had a game-high 15 tackles, 11 of which were solo. He also forced a fumble. Sipa Leafa also recorded double-digit tackles with 10. 

The Grizzlies will look to snap their two-game skid as they will host their first home game of the season next Saturday, Sept. 15. Adams State will take on Black Hills State inside Rex Stadium. Kickoff against the Yellow Jackets is set for 1 p.m.