SILVER CITY, N.M. -- November 7, 2015 -- The Chadron State College football team, faced with an early 13-0 deficit at Western New Mexico University, shut the Mustangs out for 55 minutes and fought their way to a 31-13 victory today in Silver City, New Mexico. CSC improves to 5-5, 4-4 RMAC, while WNMU falls to 3-7, 2-6 in the conference.

"I am extremely proud of our team," said CSC head coach Jay Long. "It was a total team effort today. We had to use all phases of the game to make a way to win."

Facing the No. 1 passing offense in NCAA Division II, the Eagles held WNMU to just 215 yards through the air - only 11 yards above their average allowed and more than 170 below the Mustangs' average gained per game. CSC's Cole Montgomery intercepted Mitch Glasmann, the NCAA' s leading passer, in the first quarter. Tanner Wintholz had a key sack for Chadron State down 13-0, as the Eagles brought pressure early and often.

The Mustangs' star receiver Xavier Ayers was held to 89 yards receiving, after averaging well over 100 per game, and star running back Marques Rodgers only found 71 yards on the ground.

Not only the defense played well. Chadron State put up their second-highest point total of the year with 31, spreading the ball around. Two different receivers and two running backs each scored touchdowns, and Alex Ferdinand added a 21-yard kick. Kevin Coy went over the 100-yard mark carrying the ball for the first time in his career, with 108 net yards. Quarterback Matt Vinson was an efficient 20-of-34 passing for 191 yards and two scores, throwing to five different receivers and two running backs.

Chadron State fell behind when Matt Vinson was intercepted on the second play of the game, setting up a three-play touchdown drive for the quick-strike Mustangs with Rodgers scoring from 19 yards out. A point after attempt failed.

Again, on the Eagles' second possession, an early fumble allowed WNMU field position to put the ball in the endzone in just four plays. Glasmann completed his only touchdown pass of the day, a 14-yarder to Isaiah Ortega-Dage.

Chadron State took advantage of a personal foul on their next possession, and were able to advance to midfield before Zach Smith pinned the Mustangs at their 12. Smith continued to improve his season punting average, which already ranks second in CSC program history, with a 42.0 average today, and three of his seven attempts were downed inside the opponent's 20.

WNMU went on the march their third time out, pushing out to near midfield and threatening to go up big, when the defensive line stood up and forced a punt. The sack by Wintholz and a quarterback hurry by Garret Walker ended the Mustangs' march.

Chadron State got on the board midway through the first quarter, with Vinson hitting Kyle Hooper for a 42 yard first down and also tossing to Matt Reader for 27 to move the chains. A first down touchdown pass to Zac Bargen pulled the Eagles to within 13-7.

The Eagles found momentum on their side, with Cole Montgomery picking off Glasmann on the ensuing possession to stop another incursion into CSC territory, and found themselves on the fortunate end of a wild double-fumble play when they turned the ball over at the Mustang 48, then recovered a WNMU turnover on the return.

The two teams traded possessions, then Andrew Rios had a punt return of 30 yards, an Eagles' season-best. Vinson went 4-of-5 for 35 yards and a passing score to Matt Reader for what would be the winning touchdown.

CSC would not allow a Mustang first down the remaining 10 minutes of the half, and Ferdinand tacked on three points to go into halftime up 17-13.

In the second half, Chadron State dominated, keeping WNMU on their own side of the field for eight of 11 drives, and turning them over on downs twice after crossing midfield. Seven CSC players finished with tackles for loss, with five of those plays occuring in the second half. Dylan Furrier, Tanner Wintholz, Tyler Kiess, Mitch Colicott, and Garret Walker all had solo sacks, with three coming after halftime.

Furrier led the Eagles with eight tackles. Brian Wood, Zecharie James, and Clay Cundall added six apiece. The defense as a team had seven QB hurries.

The Eagles return home for Senior Day next Saturday, November 14, facing Fort Lewis College (6-4, 5-3 RMAC) with a chance at a 10th straight winning season. CSC has lost five or fewer games every year since 2006.