ALAMOSA, Colo.—The Adams State University football team will kickoff their season this week as they travel to Silver City, N.M. to take on the Western New Mexico University Mustangs. Kickoff from Ben Altamirano Field is set for 6:00 p.m.
 
KICKING OFF

• For the second straight year, the Grizzlies will open the season against the Mustangs, the former Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) rival that are now members of the Lone Star Conference (LSC).
• The Grizzlies dropped last season's game at Rex Stadium, 35-17 with a well-rounded game that saw Adams State close the lead to 28-17 with ten minutes remaining before WNMU slammed the door.

 
OFFENSIVE MINDSET

• The Grizzlies, who had a carousel of players at the QB1 position last year, will be a little more stable on the offensive sides as Coach Jarrell Harrison has brought in some experienced depth at the position.
• Graduate transfer Mark Salazar, from Northwestern State, joins the Grizzly ranks and has the opportunity to take snaps with graduate student Marckell Grayson.
• Shammah Luani returns with a goal in his sights and he plans on taking the rock and leading the Grizzlies downfield.
• Elijah Harper looks to continue on his pursuit to be dominant downfield as the NFFCC All-American and First Team All-RMAC selection will be a primary target.

 
STAND-TALL DEFENSE

• Junior Edward McClendon looks to become a primer air defender as he will be the starting player looking to keep momentum in the Grizzlies favor with interceptions at the safety position.
• Junior Ahmed Bernard returns at the corner back position and looks to improve on his 15 tackles from last season.

 
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS

• Western New Mexico finished the last campaign with a 1-10 win, with their lone win of the season being the season-opener.
• The Mustangs are led by second-year Head Coach Phillip Vigil, a former All-Conference quarterback at Colorado Mesa. He now has 14 years of coaching at the collegiate level.
• The Mustangs are an inexperienced squad together as they announced that they had 28 players sign a National Letter of Intent with 11 transfers joining the Mustangs.
• Sophomore Devin Larsen is slated to return under center after slinging 19 touchdowns last year as the main quarterback. He completed 55.8 percent of his 437 pass attempts for 2,661 yards.

 
HOW TO FOLLOW

• There are many ways to follow Saturday evening's game, including a live video stream, radio broadcast and live statistics.
• Live Stream – Can be found by clicking the link (here). It will be broadcast on the LSC Network and there is a $10 fee.
• Live Radio – Adams State's flagship radio station KSPK-FM is scheduled to broadcast the game. Listeners can tune in to KSPK on-air throughout all of 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).
• Additionally, Mustang Radio can be accessed by clicking (here).
• Live Stats – Live Statistics can be found by clicking the link (here).

 
AROUND THE LEAGUE

• Of the 10 football programs within the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, six will compete on Thursday, while three more take the field on Saturday, Sept. 3.
• Heading into the 2022 season, Colorado School of Mines and Western Colorado are ranked in both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and D2 Football preseason polls. Colorado State University Pueblo, Chadron State, and Colorado Mesa enter the 2022 campaign by receiving votes in the AFCA poll.

 
UP NEXT

• The Grizzlies return to the friendly confines of Rex Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 10th, when they host West Texas A&M University with the first of three-night games at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
• Several new amenities for home games are being finalized and will be announced on Monday.