After 658 days away, football returns to Alamosa as Adams State University hosts Western New Mexico in the 2021 season opener. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since Oct. 31, 2015 when the Mustangs downed the Grizzlies 36-20 in Alamosa. Since 2006, the two teams have met eight times with the Grizzlies holding a 5-3 advantage.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
The RMAC Network has relaunched for 2021-22, and fans used to watching on their smart TV or other device must download the new app by searching "RMAC" in your device's app store. The new watch portal is available at rmacnetwork.com.
 
In addition, Adams State University and KSPK-FM have extended their broadcast partnership for three years. Listeners can tune in to KSPK on-air throughout all southern Colorado on 100.3 in Colorado Springs, Alamosa, and the San Luis Valley, 104.1 in South Fork and Trinidad, and 102.3 in Pueblo and Walsenburg. Fans nationwide can also tune in on KSPK's website (kspk.com). TJ Blackhurst will be on the call.
 
FAN INFORMATION
Grizzly Athletics is excited to welcome fans back to home events this fall. For this week's game, please note the following important pieces of information:
- Gates open at 3:30 p.m.
- Masking required in public indoor spaces as per CDC Public Health Recommendation for areas of "substantial or high transmission."
- Tickets are available online at https://asugrizzlies.com/sports/2021/6/15/tickets.aspx but those without access to a smartphone or the ability to print tickets at home may buy them at the gate with cash or card.  All fans must have a scannable ticket to enter the stadium.
- Parking for home games are available in the Neilson Parking Lot just to the south of the stadium for $10.
-Tailgating continues and will be available once again in the only designated lot on the north end of Student Union Building Parking Lot for $10. For more information visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ckzxio/event/836866.
- Vistas Restaurant on the third floor of Rex Stadium will be open and will be serving food but guests 21 and older can still order adult beverages but must remain inside Vistas.
 
WEATHER REPORT
Saturday's weather forecast is for mostly sunny conditions and 75 degrees at kickoff with some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible.
 
LEADING THE WAY
The Adams team has elected five captains for 2021: senior defensive lineman Alu Taito, senior tight end Ian Fryday, senior linebacker Braeden Meyer, senior running back Tyreik Campbell, and senior defensive end EJ Labaze.
 
WHERE WE LEFT OFF
The Grizzlies retake the field after a 658-day layoff, their longest since World War II after the 2020 season never got off the ground due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there was no official season in 2020, Adams State didn't just take the year off. The Grizzlies took the year to reassess where they wanted to go and the new coaching staff spent a majority of their time recruiting and bringing in players to help them accomplish those goals.
 
(UN)FAMILIAR FACES
Adams State and Western New Mexico have a storied history as the Mustangs were part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) until their departure during the 2016-17 school year. The last meeting between these two teams was on Oct. 31, 2015 when the Mustangs defeated the Grizzlies 36-20. WNMU is on a two-game winning streak, however, since 2008, Adams State had won the six before that.
 
The 2021 Mustang squad is a new squad, like the Grizzlies, since they did not have a 2021 campaign due to COVID-19 and the Lone Star Conference did not sponsor a season.
 
NEW LEADERSHIP
On April 26th, Adams State University removed the interim tag from Head Football Coach Jarrell Harrison, who officially became the 24th coach in Adams State football history.
 
Harrison joined Adams State football in 2016 as a Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Assistant under former Head Coach Timm Rosenbach. He was promoted to interim head coach on January 5, 2021, after the resignation of former Head Coach Josh Blankenship. Blankenship finished his two-year tenure with the Grizzlies with an 8-14 (.364) overall record; 8-12 (.400) RMAC.
 
Harrison makes history for Adams State University as he becomes the first African American to lead the football program, in this, the University's 100th year.
 
IN THE POLLS
The Adams State Grizzlies selected a first-place vote and were selected to finish in seventh place in the RMAC by the conferences' ten head coaches while The Mustangs were announced 8th in the preseason Lone Star Conference poll with 33 points.
 
LATE START
The game Western New Mexico will be the final game of the RMAC docket as five teams opened the season on Thursday. Five teams including Fort Lewis vs. New Mexico Highlands, Western Colorado  vs Chadron State and the Grizzlies will play on Saturday.
 
All but one team, CSU Pueblo (12-6 vs. Texas A&M Commerce), won their season opener. South Dakota Mines (34-31 vs. Missouri S&T), Black Hills State (30-24 vs. Dickson State University (N.D.)), Colorado Mesa (40-3 vs. William Jewel College) and Colorado School of Mines (42-3 vs. Western Oregon) all picked up home wins.
 
LET'S GET IT STARTED
Adams State is looking to open the season on the right foot as they look for their first season opening win since 2014 when the Grizzlies defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State University 23-7 in Alamosa. Since then the Grizzlies have dropped two games to Colorado School of Mines (49-7 in 2018; 41-10 in 2019), two to Black Hills State (34-33 in 2016; 47-41 in 2017) by a combined seven points) and one to then-ranked No. 22 Texas A&M Commerce (48-17 in 2015).
 
NEXT TIME
Adams State will be on the road to take on Eastern New Mexico in Portales, N.M. on Sept. 11 before returning home for Green Out Night in the 74th Annual Colorado Classic against rival Western Colorado University to open RMAC play at 7:00 p.m.