|
Let me start by congratulating the University
of Nebraska at Kearney for their big win and a guaranteed share of the
Conference Championship. With one last train stop in Grand Junction, the Big
Blue Train is on track toward a playoff game at home.
To the seniors throughout the RMAC thank you
for all you've endured as student athletes. Many of the skills that you have
learned in the last four or five years will help you as you face the rest of
your lives. It has been my honor to report on each of you throughout the last
three years. To the parents of the seniors, congratulations and thank you for
sharing your sons with all of us. To the fans od Division II football, thank you
for your support of the RMAC.
In a quirk of the scheduling, all five games
will be in the state of Colorado this week. The weather looks to be beautiful so
I am hopeful the fans will get out and enjoy the beautiful weather and the last
regular season games for 2009.
Last Week's Results
Colorado Mines at Neb.-Kearney
The high powered Oredigger defense ran head on
into the freight train that is the Loper defense. Mines was held to just 256
yards of total offense with a minus 12 yards rushing. The Loper defense made 14
tackles for loss including eight sacks. Kearney's offense rushed for 287 yards
on the way to a 24 - 12 victory.
Western State at Adams State
The Colorado Classic belongs to the ASC
Grizzlies again this season. The Grizzlies won 22 - 13 and the difference was
kicker David Van Voris who made three field goals.
Mesa State at Chadron State
The Eagles defense completely sut down the
Mavericks allowing only five first downs in the game and holding the Mavs to
less than 100 yards of total offense
Fort Lewis at N.M. Highlands
Highlands scored first and last in this game
and while Ft Lewis led most of the game, the Cowboys came away with the win 39 -
35. The Skyhawks gave this game away by giving up two interceptions and one
fumble.
Western N.M. at CSU-Pueblo
The ThunderWolves completely dominated the
Mustangs 48 - 3. Pueblo gained 435 yards rushing while allowing only 60 yards
rushing.
Players of the Week
CSU - P Jesse Lewis rushed 19 times for 233
yards and three touchdowns.
CSU - P Jamaal Johnson rushed 16 times for 164
yards and two touchdowns. Johnson also threw one pass for 38 yards.
CSU - P Chase Vaughn made 8 tackles with two
and one half tackles for loss, one forced fumble one sack and three quarterback
hurries.
NMHU Narcisco Diaz completed 27 passes on 46
attempts for 359 yards with no interceptions and on touchdown.
MSC C.J. Smith kicked ten punts averaging 42
yards with a long of 54 yards with two punts downed inside the 20 yard line.
ASC David Van Voris kicked 3 field goals of 21,
28 and 37 yards Van Voris also kicked off six times averaging 67 yards per kick
with two touchbacks.
ASC Stephen Baca rushed 17 times for 174 yards
and one touchdown. Baca also caught three passes for 36 yards, returned four
punts for 36 yards and one punt for 30 yards.
UNK Rustin Dring rushed 30 times for 219 yards
and one touchdown. Dring also caught six passes for 57 yards.
This Weeks' Games:
CSU-Pueblo at Adams State
This should be a great matchup and may well be
considered the game of the week in the RMAC. Both teams have a 5 - 3 conference
record. The ThunderWolves have a three game win streak going. The Grizzlies have
won their last two.
Pueblo has been most successful when they can
establish a running game. The TWolves have managed about 212 yards per game
rushing, second in the conference. Adams State has been most successful passing
the ball.
CSU - P's defense leads the conference in
interceptions with 16, ASC's defense has 14. One big difference between the two
defenses, the ThunderWolves have been able to stop opponents in the red zone
allowing only about a fifty percent conversion rate. The Grizzly defense has
faced the same number of scoring opportunities but is giving up points in ninety
seven percent of those chances.
The home field advantage will be a benefit to
the Grizzlies but will it be enough? I think the Thunderwolves have a few more
weapons on offense. For Pueblo to win they must score touchdowns and not settle
for field goals when they get into the red zone. If the Grizzlies defense can
limit the TWolves scoring and turn this into a duel between the kickers, then
Adams State has the advantage.
CSU-Pueblo has shown they can win against the
middle tier in the RMAC this season. A win in this game will be a good momentum
builder for the off season. TWolves get the win.
N.M. Highlands at Colorado Mines
Unfortunately for the Cowboys their first
conference win will be their only conference win. This week the Orediggers will
look to close out a good season by washing out the taste of last week's loss.
The Cowboy defense will be no match as the Orediggers win big.
Western N.M. at Fort Lewis
This will be the Skyhawks final chance to get a
conference win this season, however the Mustangs have shown they can generate
points on just about everyone. This game promises to see plenty of passing and
lots of scoring. I think the Mustangs will have just a little bit more in the
aerial arsenal and Western New Mexico will get the win.
Chadron State at Western State
The Eagle defense has earned the number one
ranking int total defense in the conference. Chadron has been especially good at
shutting down the passing game. Western Sate has been unable to generate much of
a running game all season. That spells disaster for the Mountaineers as they
loose another one this week.
Nebraska-Kearney at Mesa State
The Lopers must win this game to assure
themselves of a home playoff game. So I would be surprised to see any let down.
The Mavericks on the other hand appear to be in a tail spin. Injuries have left
the Mavs searching for an offense.
On defense the Mavs have limited opponents to
around 20 points per game. The weakness has been to big pass plays. This week
they will face one of the strongest offensive lines in the conference. The Loper
o-line has allowed only 13 sacks all season and has not allowed any in the last
three games. The Loper offense is also gaining 258 yards per game rushing.
Kearney's defense is currently ranked tenth in
the country is scoring defense allowing only 15 points per game. They are ranked
first in the country in sacks and fifth in rushing defense. The Mavs offense
will find it very difficult to run against Kearney. UNK has handled everyone in
the conference and will win this week as well.
|
