ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Adams State Grizzlies were defeated in their home opener by the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers at Rex Stadium Saturday afternoon, 41-10. The contest endured a lengthy lightning delay that lasted an estimated two hours late in the first half. When play resumed, the delay that happened with 1:39 left in the second quarter was treated like a routine halftime, and the teams finished out the final minute and a half. Immediately following the conclusion of the first half, the teams switched ends and prepared for the second half kickoff. The delay did not affect any statistical outcomes throughout the game.
 
As for the Grizzlies during the contest, there were a plethora of ups and downs throughout the contest on both sides of the ball. The game began with quarterback John Buksa throwing an interception on the first drive of the game inside his own territory. The Grizzly defense was up for the challenge, as they held strong and forced a turnover on downs to get the ball right back. After the goal line stand that saw the Grizzlies hold Mines on four straight plays to try and punch in from a goal to go situation, John Buksa hit Jordan Simon on a quick pass as Simon broke away from a defender and raced down the sideline toward the Mines end zone. It was then Mines' turn for a goal line stand, as they stopped the Grizzly offense on three straight plays to force an Erick Ruiz field goal attempt to put Adams State up, 3-0 midway through the first quarter.
 
Following the field goal, Mines would go right back on offense. Quarterback Ben Bottlinger drove the Orediggers right back down the field on a drive that concluded with a 40 yard Cameron Mayberry touchdown. It would be Mayberry's longest run on his 138-yard day. This would put Mines up 7-3, and they would not relinquish the lead again.
 
The Oredigger defense held quarterback John Buksa and company to a total of just nine first downs throughout the game. The Grizzlies threw the ball fairly well in both halves, but were held to an astonishing negative 22 rushing yards on the afternoon. After a Mines field goal on the drive following the John Bowers punt, Mines would stall yet another Grizzly drive. Still, the defense bent but did not break inside the red zone as they forced another Mines field goal. Midway through the half, the score was 13-3, Mines. Mines would get the ball back again following the next Grizzly drive, but Mayberry would this time, punch in from seven yards out. Following the extra point, the score was 20-3.
 
After this drive is where things truly went haywire for all parties involved. The lightning delay forced all players, workers, and spectators out of the stands, as action would be stalled for the next two hours. A 10-minute warmup time was provided for the players coming out of the delay, as they picked up right where they left off and finished out the half on a rain-soaked field. The delay was treated as the informal halftime of the game, and immediately following the conclusion of the second quarter, the second half kicked off. While
 
While the game picked up right where it left off after the lightning delay, unfortunately for the Grizzlies, so did the Orediggers. Mines drove down the field yet again, and Mayberry cashed in for what was his third touchdown of the game to put the Orediggers on top, 27-3. On the very next drive, John Buksa's pass was intercepted by a Mines defender inside Grizzly territory who took it down the sideline to paydirt. 34-3, Orediggers.
 
Late in the third quarter and after the interception, Adams State Quarterback John Buksa was replaced by Sohail Mohsini. Mohsini brought a big spark in an otherwise dark game for the Grizzlies, as he hit receiver Tariq Bitson on a 69 yard touchdown for the first and only Adams State touchdown of the game. Headed to the fourth quarter, the score read 41-10, Orediggers.
 
Ben Bottlinger would add to the Mines lead on a quarterback keeper that would extend the Mines lead to 41-10. The game would conclude, as the Grizzlies fell41-10 in their first game of the season. Up next for Adams State is another home RMAC contest versus New Mexico Highlands Saturday, September 7^th from Rex Stadium.