Colorado Mesa Mavericks Shoot For Winning Season Against Western State

The Colorado Mesa University Mavericks have a chance Saturday to clinch their first winning season since 2008 when they went 6-5. The 5-4 Mavericks travel to Gunnison to battle long-time rival Western State.

CMU is coming off consecutive losses to Colorado Mines and CSU - Pueblo to fall out of contention for the RMAC title, but still remain focused on winning their last two games. Senior tight end Drew Holder says getting a winning season for the first time in his Maverick career is an utmost priority.

"We seniors, we've never had a winning season at Mesa. So we are looking at it as an opportunity to finish the season strong on a 2-game winning streak, finish 7-4 and hand this off to the next group of guys who are going to be seniors and make sure we end this thing right."

Western State has won only a single game this season, and the Mavericks have won eight in a row over the Mountaineers. However, five of the last six games have been decided by five points or fewer, and so every indication is that this is another game that could be decided in the fourth quarter.

With 22 interceptions, the Mavericks defense leads  all NCAA teams regardless of division. They rank second in the nation in red zone defense and 18th in scoring defense, after holding CSU - Pueblo  to a season low 34 points last week.

CMU head coach Russ Martin says he expects another tough game from Western State.

"Western State traditionally has been one of the best defensive teams in the conference. We know we have to play good football. I think it’s going to be an exciting game on Saturday. We have to play extremely well, and the reason for that is because we are capable of playing well. Our guys are going to be ready."

 

Kickoff is set for 1:00pm Saturday from the Mountaineer Bowl in Gunnison. Game time weather is expected to be sunny and 48 degrees.