The Adams State Grizzlies are 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this season, but Chadron State head football coach Jay Long warns that Saturday's game in Alamosa could be a tough one for the Eagles.
 
A look at Adams State's results show why Long is concerned. Colorado Mesa beat the Grizzlies by just 28-20, Western State had to drive the length of the field in the closing moments to pull out a win 39-37 and Saturday RMAC power Colorado State-Pueblo was forced to kick a field goal and score a touchdown in the fourth period to win 17-7 at home.
 
Adams State opened its season with a 23-7 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State and lost the next week at Eastern New Mexico 42-14 before beginning conference play.
 
The Eagles go to Alamosa with a 3-2 record for the season and 2-1 in the RMAC after defeating Western State 40-7 during the CSC homecoming game last Saturday. The Eagles outgained the Mountaineers by a better than two-to-one margin (513 to 235 yards) and forced Western to punt 12 times.
 
CSC defensive coordinator Jeff Larson said the Grizzlies are difficult to prepare for.
 
"They have some explosive players at the skill positions and they seem to use them all," Larson said. "They play three different quarterbacks quite a bit, have at least four running backs who carry the ball quite a bit and also use an array of receivers."
 
Larson added that Adams State also seems to have more formations and plays than most teams.
 
The Grizzlies have completed 67 of 155 passes for 1,048 yards and six touchdowns. Nine of their passes have been intercepted.
 
By comparison, CSC quarterbacks Jonn McLain and Patrick O'Boyle have hit on 106 of 180 passes for 1,159 yards and eight TDs. They have had five passes picked off.
 
Chadron State's 58.9 percent completion figure is about 15 points higher than the Grizzlies'.
 
Led by senior Michael Madkins, who has 76 carries for 478 yards, the Eagles have rushed 189 times for 954 yards and a dozen TDs. Adams State has run the ball 168 times for 690 yards and six scores.
 
Through five games, the CSC opponents have rushed for 741 yards while Adams State's have gained 1,234. The Eagles' foes have completed 115 of 203 passes for 1,187 yards. The Grizzlies' have clicked on 80 of 173 for 941 yards.
 
The Eagles won last year's game 31-0 in Chadron, despite out-gaining the Grizzlies by just 287 yards to 265.
 
The game Saturday will be Adams State's homecoming contest.