LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Adams State built a 10-point third-quarter lead behind timely takeaways, special teams plays and two touchdown runs from Frank Arcuri, but New Mexico Highlands rallied in the fourth quarter to hand the Grizzlies a 42–34 loss Saturday at Sanchez Family Stadium.
The Grizzlies led 24–21 at halftime and stretched the margin to 31–21 on their opening possession of the second half. Highlands answered with three consecutive touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter, to take control.
Arcuri completed 21 of 35 passes for 212 yards without an interception and added 76 rushing yards. Andre Branch contributed 149 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown while catching eight passes for 68 yards. Kayden LaFramboise led Adams State with 70 receiving yards on seven catches.
Anthony Arnusch converted all four field-goal attempts, including a 47-yarder that sent the Grizzlies into halftime with the lead.
After Highlands scored on its opening possession, Adams State responded with a 12-play, 61-yard drive that ended in Arnusch's 27-yard field goal.
The Grizzlies then created an opening on special teams. Roscoe Taylor blocked a punt and recovered it before advancing to the Highlands 20-yard line. Branch needed just one play to reach the end zone, breaking loose for a 20-yard touchdown. LaFramboise added the two-point conversion on the ground to put Adams State ahead 11–7.
Highlands regained the lead before the end of the first quarter, but the Grizzly defense delivered another momentum swing early in the second.
With the Cowboys threatening near the goal line, Joshua Sparks forced a fumble that Benjamin Rodriguez recovered and returned nine yards to the Adams State 29. Arcuri turned the takeaway into points, finishing an eight-play, 71-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown run for an 18–14 lead.
The Cowboys answered with a touchdown, but Adams State closed the half with six straight points. Arnusch tied the game at 21 with a 35-yard field goal with 1:44 remaining. Sparks then intercepted a pass and returned it 16 yards to set up Arnusch's 47-yard kick with 47 seconds left.
Adams State carried that momentum into the third quarter. Arcuri guided a nine-play, 75-yard drive and finished it with a 25-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 31–21 with 10:27 remaining.
Highlands trimmed the margin to three on a 1-yard touchdown run by Owen Smith. The Cowboys later moved into scoring position following an Adams State fumble, but Anthony Henry blocked a field-goal attempt on the opening play of the fourth quarter to preserve the lead.
The Cowboys broke through with 10:04 remaining when Smith scored on a 27-yard run. A 31-yard touchdown pass from Collin Stucki to Smith extended the Highlands advantage to 42–31 with 4:14 left.
Adams State responded with a 12-play scoring drive. Arnusch's 22-yard field goal cut the deficit to eight with 1:49 remaining, but Highlands secured the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.
Henry and Frankie Pacheco paced the Grizzly defense with six tackles each. Blake George added five tackles, including one for loss, while Rawlston John recorded a sack. Sparks finished with an interception, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.
Adams State totaled 384 yards of offense, converted both fourth-down attempts and scored on all five red-zone possessions. Highlands finished with 568 yards.
UP NEXT
Adams State will return to Rex Stadium to host Fort Lewis in the season finale Saturday, November 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT for the Spud Bowl
