ALAMOSA, Colo. — Kayden LaFramboise caught two second-half touchdown passes, but Adams State could not overcome Colorado Mesa's early lead in a 59–12 loss Saturday at Rex Stadium.
Frank Arcuri completed 13 of 21 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. LaFramboise finished with four catches for 49 yards, providing the scoring finish on both of the Grizzlies' touchdown drives.
Roscoe Taylor led the defense with 11 tackles, including seven solo stops, and forced and recovered a fumble. Blake George added 10 tackles, while Zachary Ray finished with nine.
Colorado Mesa scored on its opening possession and added another touchdown later in the first quarter to build a 14–0 advantage. Adams State threatened late in the quarter when Khalil Abdul-Aziz connected with JaKehlan Watts for a 43-yard gain into Maverick territory. The drive reached the Colorado Mesa 34 before the Grizzlies turned the ball over on downs.
Taylor delivered a takeaway early in the second quarter. After a Colorado Mesa completion, he stripped the receiver and recovered the ball at the Adams State 21, stopping the Mavericks' advance. Arcuri followed with a 22-yard run on the ensuing possession, but the Grizzlies could not turn the takeaway into points.
Colorado Mesa added a field goal and a touchdown before halftime to take a 24–0 lead into the break.
Adams State opened the second half with its longest scoring drive of the afternoon. Starting at their own 15, the Grizzlies moved into Maverick territory behind Arcuri's 43-yard completion to Sonny Rogers. Arcuri capped the nine-play, 85-yard possession with a 25-yard touchdown pass to LaFramboise, putting Adams State on the board with 10:30 remaining in the third quarter.
The Mavericks answered with three consecutive touchdowns, extending their lead to 45–6.
Adams State responded with another scoring march that carried into the fourth quarter. Arcuri found Garrett O'Brien for 36 yards to help move the Grizzlies downfield, then connected with LaFramboise for a 22-yard touchdown on the opening play of the final period. The four-play drive covered 71 yards.
Colorado Mesa added two fourth-quarter touchdowns to close the scoring.
Andre Branch led Adams State's rushing attack with 39 yards on eight carries and added five receptions for 21 yards. O'Brien caught two passes for 43 yards, while Rogers and Watts each contributed a 43-yard reception.
The Grizzlies finished with 308 yards of offense, including 225 through the air, and did not commit a turnover. Coryon Francis broke up three passes, and Landon Bobo averaged 47 yards on three punts, placing two inside the 20.
Adams State fell to 0–8 overall and 0–6 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. Colorado Mesa improved to 4–4 overall and 3–3 in conference action.
Up Next
Adams State will host Colorado School of Mines on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Rex Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
