The final week of non-conference play wrapped up this weekend, with all 10 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football programs in action.
No. 15 Colorado Mines is the final undefeated team left in the conference, moving to 2-0 with a convincing 42-7 road win over William Jewell.
Defending national champions CSU-Pueblo fell by the narrowest of margins, 31-30 on the road against West Texas A&M.
RMAC Football Offensive Player of the Week
Justin Dvorak, Colorado Mines, QB
Justin Dvorak threw for four touchdowns and ran for another in Mines' 42-7 win at William Jewell. He scrambled for two fourth-down conversions, including his 18-yard rushing touchdown, while throwing touchdowns of 20, 12, 27, and 36 yards.
RMAC Football Defensive Player of the Week
Tom Saager, Colorado Mesa, LB
Saager led the team with 18.5 tackles. The Colorado Mesa defense did not allow a defensive touchdown against Midwestern State. Midwestern State was 3 for 4 inside the redzone with all three scoring chances field goals.
RMAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Kieren Duncan, CSU-Pueblo, WR
Duncan returned a kickoff 98 yards to the end zone to put the ThunderWolves within one at 31-30 with under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter at West Texas A&M. On two kickoff returns he totaled 131 yards for a 65.5 yards per return average. Duncan's 98-yard kickoff return was the first kick return for a touchdown since Marguise Enach returned a kick 97 yards against Adams State, Sept. 18, 2010. The Pack elected to go for two following Duncan's touchdown, which failed, and the ThunderWolves lost 31-30.
Adams State
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A fast start did not hold for Adams State University during Saturday's 44-30 loss to Eastern New Mexico University from Rex Stadium.
Black Hills State
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In what was billed as a national audience in front of the cameras of ESPN, the game did not disappoint. The game was a back-and-forth affair in the second half that saw Black Hills State come-from-behind 16-6 to take a 20-16 lead but ultimately fell 28-26 after a two-point conversion with 2:22 remaining failed.
Chadron State
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A sellout crowd at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Mo., on Saturday, got a chance to see what Chadron State College football is all about. The Eagles came up short in their bid for an upset victory against FCS Missouri State, but gave the Bears all they could handle. The final score was 21-13.
Colorado Mesa
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Despite strong play from its defense, turnovers plagued the Colorado Mesa University football team in a 16-13 overtime loss to Midwestern State at Stocker Stadium Saturday.
Colorado Mines
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No. 16 Colorado School of Mines improved to 2-0, winning 42-7 on the road at William Jewell College. Justin Dvorak threw for four touchdowns and ran for another, and Nate Wiemers put together a career game with 123 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
CSU-Pueblo
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The No. 2 Colorado State University-Pueblo football team wasn't without numerous big plays Saturday, but in the end the ThunderWolves suffered just their second regular season loss since 2011 when they fell 31-30 at West Texas A&M University.
Fort Lewis
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Both sides of the ball excelled Saturday afternoon as the Fort Lewis College football team won their home opener over Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 41-20 at Ray Dennison Memorial Field. The game also marked the homecoming of the FLC cannon, which had not been fired during a football game since 2010.
New Mexico Highlands
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In just the second game of his head coaching career, Jeff Mills and the Cowboys traveled to Flagstaff to take on Division I opponent Northern Arizona. Unlike last week the Cowboys started off on defense. The Lumberjacks were not able to reap the benefit of the first possession as the Cowboys were able to get a quick 3 and out of the Lumberjacks. Unfortunately the Cowboys' offense was not able to capitalize on the great play of the defense, as they too were forced to a 3 and out.
Western New Mexico
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It was the second half and the Western New Mexico University football team looked ready to comeback like they had before in prior games against the University of San Diego. Although this time, the Toreros were able to hold off any comeback attempt to win, 45-21, over the Mustangs on Saturday evening.
Western State Colorado
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The No. 12 ranked Angelo State University Rams came to town on Saturday and left with a win. Western State Colorado University was unable to upset their ranked opponent during Homecoming. ASU defeated the Mountaineers 48-20.