GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Chadron State football saw its offense held to 123 total yards as the Eagles fell to Colorado Mesa by an 18-3 score at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction.
The loss drops CSC to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in RMAC play ahead of a home game against Adams State next Saturday, October 5. Colorado Mesa is 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the RMAC.
The Eagles mostly shined in two out of three facets of the game. CSC's defense continued to be one of the better units in the RMAC, holding the Mavericks to a season-low 126 passing yards and only allowing two of the three CMU touchdowns on the day.
Special teams was also a strength, as the Eagles blocked two extra points and
Wilson Yee booted a season-long 57-yard field goal for Chadron State's only points.
Brodie Eisenbraun punted seven times for an average of 49 yards per punt with a long of 64, pinning three inside the 20-yard line, and Chadron State also had a kick return of 30 yards by
Rollin George III and a 27-yard punt return by
Dax Yeradi.
The Eagles were simply unable to get anything going offensively. Chadron State managed eight first downs in the contest compared to CMU's 21. Eagles quarterback duo
DJ Ralph and
Wyatt Sprague combined for 75 passing yards in 24 attempts while running back
Jake Marschall was held to 35 yards on a season-low eight carries.
Colorado Mesa scored three touchdowns – one in the second quarter and two in the third quarter. Each time, the Mavericks failed to convert the point-after attempt, as Chadron State blocked the first two while the third hit the upright.
The Mavericks relied on the ground game throughout the contest, finishing with 148 rushing yards between four ball carriers. Noah Greer got the home team on the board with a 13-yard touchdown run less than a minute into the second quarter.
Brandon Belgrave capped a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a nine-yard run halfway through the second quarter and safety Jason Thome capped the scoring with a 45-yard interception return of a Sprague pass for a touchdown.
Grant Swenson was CSC's leading receiver with two catches for 28 yards.
Jamahd Monroe had two catches for 25 yards while Marschall had a team-high three catches for 10 yards.
Next Saturday will be the Hall of Fame game, where nine former CSC athletes will be inducted into the school's hall of fame. Kickoff of the game is set for noon. There will be a Hall of Fame banquet later Saturday evening.
