CMU Football Mavericks Nab First Winning Season Since 2008

The Colorado Mesa Mavericks secured their first winning football season since 2008 by rallying to defeat Western State in the season finale at Stocker Stadium.

The Mavericks managed three special teams touchdowns in the 4th quarter to beat the Mountaineers 31-23 to post a 6-5 record - the team's first winning season since going 6-5 in 2008. The Mavs went 4-7 in Head Coach Russ Martin's first season, and 5-6 a year ago.

It's been an up and down season for the Mavericks -- and a season of "what ifs" -- sometimes for the better and sometimes not.

In the season opener, the Mavericks kicked a game-tying field goal with one second to play in regulation and then beat Dixie State in overtime, 44-37.

The following week, the Mavericks went on the road and lost to Texas A & M Kingsville 17-14 in a rain-soaked contest that featured 12 fumbles. The Mavs missed two field goals and failed to score after having a second and goal from the Kingsville 2 yard line. The Mavs could have been 2-0.

Colorado Mesa went to Alamosa and beat Adams State 28-20, after leading 28-0 heading into the fourth quarter.

The following week, the Mavs trailed Chadron State 17-13 in the fourth quarter, when they failed to convert on fourth and one at their own 45  yard line with over ten minutes to play. Four plays later the Eagles were in the end zone and left town with a 24-13 victory.

The Mavericks posted their best offensive showing in Spearfish with freshman quarterback Andrew Cota throwing for 291 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-31 win over Black Hills State.

The following week, the Mavs had their best defensive effort of the season, shutting down a high-scoring New Mexico Highlands offense enroute to a 31-19 win.

Their third consecutive win came with a little Mavericks magic down in Silver City, New Mexico. Trailing Western New Mexico 35-31 with less than three minutes to play, the Mavericks returned a block punt for a touchdown, and returned an interception for six points,and escaped with a 45-35 win.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the season came on Homecoming when CMU lost to Fort Lewis 28-20. The Mavs turned the ball over four times and gave up nearly 300 yards rushing to the Skyhawks.

The Mavericks trailed nationally ranked Colorado Mines by three points in the fourth quarter, but couldn't overcome a talented Orediggers team, losing 37-23.

The following week, the Mavs would bow to RMAC powerhouse CSU Pueblo 52-3, tossing four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

The Mavericks lose 8 starters to graduation this year, but should be even stronger next season with the development of their freshmen quarterback as well as a number of other younger players. The Mavs had no less than 7 starters who were either freshmen or sophomores.

Coach  Martin and his staff have been working diligently to increase the depth of the football team, and to get his players physically stronger. So far, it seems to be working as they have seen great strides in both areas. The future looks extremely promising for  Mavericks football.