CMU Mavericks Face New Mexico Highlands

The Colorado Mesa University Mavericks travel to Las Vegas this weekend to take on the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys. Both teams are 2-2 overall, and 1-1 in conference play . Both teams feel that this is a winnable football game.

HIstory is on the side of the Mavericks, who are 27-9 all-time against Highlands and have won 11 of the last 14, and three of the last four in New Mexico. However, memories of last year's game in Grand Junction still linger. The Mavericks led most of the game until the Cowboys scored the winning touchdown with less than two minutes to play.

Highlands is a team that can score points and move the ball. They are averaging more than 400 yards of offense and 25 points per game. But, traditionally, the Cowboys lack discipline, and that has been true in the early part of the season. Highlands is ranked 5th in the entire nation in most penalties per game (11) and most penalty yards per game.(113) The Mavericks hope to use that to their advantage.

Defensively, CMU is allowing just under 17 points per game, and are first in the conference against the run. The Cowboys will throw the football a lot against a Mavs defense that now ranks second in the nation in interceptions with 11.

Offensively, the Mavs have questions at quarterback. Redshirt freshmen Kyle Duran has been starting in place of the injured redshirt freshmen Aric Kaiser. Duran was injured last week, and senior Jason Haferman came on to throw three touchdown passes in leading the Mavs to victory. Kaiser, who won the starting job at the start of the season was cleared to practice this week for the first time since being injured in the opener against Menlo. Duran should be healthy enough to play this week, but who gets the start remains to be seen. All three have shown themselves capable.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 Saturday afternoon. You can hear the game on AM 1230 KEXO, and on line at www.kexo1230.com.