ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Adams State Grizzlies fell on the road Saturday afternoon, dropping a 44-24 contest to Fort Lewis in Game 9 of the season.
Adams State opened the game with momentum, marching 90 yards on the opening drive before Rasheed Rankin capped it off with a 1-yard touchdown run. The drive took just five plays and two minutes to give the Grizzlies an early 7-0 lead.
Fort Lewis answered immediately, scoring on a 4-yard run to close a 76-yard drive. A missed extra point kept Adams State ahead 7-6.
The Grizzlies extended their lead on the next drive as Quinton Pacheco connected on a 41-yard field goal, but the Skyhawks' offense caught fire, sending Adams State into halftime trailing 23-10.
Adams State found a spark in the fourth quarter, putting up 14 points in the final frame. Brycen Mchlanga punched in a 1-yard touchdown run with 10:05 remaining, and Devin Dawkins added another score with a 7-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Gavin Herberg.
Pacheco was perfect on the day, going 3-for-3 on extra points and 1-for-1 on field goals. Braden Biller continued his strong season, averaging 48.2 yards per punt on four attempts and pinning all four inside the 20-yard line.
Herberg finished 15-for-30 with 158 passing yards and one touchdown. Dawkins led the Grizzlies' offense, posting 46 rushing yards and 107 receiving yards.
Defensively, Zachary Ray and Mafielu Tupou paced the team with nine tackles apiece. Dominic Childress added four solo tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack.
The Grizzlies return home for the final time this season next Saturday to host Black Hills State for Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
