Despite 526 yards of offense by the Western New Mexico University football, Austin Ekeler was too much to handle for the Western State Colorado University Mountaineers as he went for 344 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground to lead WSCU to the 45-28 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon.
Ekeler was the story for WSCU (3-5, 3-3 RMAC) as he rushed 33 times for 344 yards and five scores to power the Mountaineers. WNMU (2-6, 1-5 RMAC) did their best to answer with the 500-plus yard offensive day and won the time of possession 35:42-to-24:18.
Early on the Mustangs had things going their way. With the teams trading possessions, the offense went to work on a seven play, 68 yard drive that ended with a 15-yard pass from Mitch Glasmann to Gordy Longville for the 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.
WSCU then took over. Following a Ryan Winke short field goal, Ekeler got loose for a trio of rushing touchdowns going for 23, 8 and then 83-yard scampers to expand the Mountaineers lead to 24-7 near the start of the second quarter.
WNMU wouldn’t go into the half quietly as they marched down the field going 80 yards on nine plays that was capped on a 17-yard pass from Glasmann to Marques Rodgers to leave the deficit at 10, 24-14.
Coming out of halftime, the Mustangs looked to be in good shape as they forced a quick three-and-out. The only thing was, the Mountaineers had a trick up their sleeve. Dakota Swinehart was on to punt or so everyone thought and as he took the snap, he scrambled down the right sideline and kept the ball. Not only did he get the first down, but he exploded down the sideline untouched for a 69-yard run to swing momentum and push the Mountaineers in front, 31-14.
Late in the third quarter, WNMU got back into rhythm on offense and looked to be mounting a comeback. The Mustangs covered 81 yards on eight plays that was finished off on a two-yard keeper by Glasmann to leave WNMU down 11, 31-20. The ensuing extra point was blocked by the Mountaineers.
Just when it seemed momentum was riding with the Mustangs, Ekeler was ready to strike. On just the second play after the WNMU touchdown, Ekeler broke free for a 65-yard touchdown to give WSCU a 38-20 advantage with still a few minutes to play in the third quarter.
WNMU wouldn’t go away on offense as they quickly moved down the field. After failing to reach the end zone on several running plays at the one-yard line, they turned the ball back over to the Mountaineers. Shiane Tupua and the WNMU defense responded jumping through the line to grab Ekeler in the end zone for a safety to make it a two score game again at 38-22 early in the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs this time kept the momentum as they went right down the field on the ensuing safety kick and found pay dirt when Glasmann connected with Larry Young II for a 15-yard strike to complete a nine play, 61 yard drive. The ensuing two-point try failed leaving WSCU ahead, 38-28.
That would end up being the final points for the Mustangs as the Mountaineers worked a methodical drive on their next possession going 79 yards on 12 plays that Ekeler finished off from four yards out to complete the scoring at 45-28.
WSCU held a 607-to-526 advantage in total yards, including a 429-to-136 edge on the ground. WNMU held the 390-to-178 advantage through the air.
Rodgers carried the ball 28 times for 128 yards, with a long carry of 29. Glasmann completed 28-of-48 for 366 and three touchdowns. His main targets were Young II who had eight catches for 136 yards and a score. Xavier Ayers also added 10 catches for 129 yards. Xavier Goodloe led the defense with eight tackles, including five solo, while Juwan Sumpter posted seven stops, with five also coming solo.
The Mountaineer defense was powered by Jacob Bernhard who had 20 tackles, including three for loss, while Jordan Woodyard added 13 tackles. Brett Arrivey threw only 28 times, completing 18 for 178 yards for WSCU.
The loss snaps a five-game winning streak for WNMU in the series against WSCU. The Mustangs will return to action on the road this coming Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. when they will play at Adams State University.