August 29th, 2024 9:05pm
KINGSVILLE, Texas — A huge defensive stop led to Colorado Mesa's best drive of the night Thursday (Aug. 29) as the Mavericks rallied for a 16-13 season-opening victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Kade Street's sack of Kingsville quarterback Kannon Williams forced TAMUK to try a field goal. It missed, keeping the Mavericks within five points down the stretch.
With less than eight minutes to play, Liu Aumavae directed an eight-play, 75-yard drive to put CMU ahead for good. Aumavae took over at quarterback in the fourth quarter after Leslie Richardson was shaken up on a scramble at the end of the third.
Several young Mavs came up big on the crucial drive. Quezon Villa, a freshman receiver, caught a quick slant for a 27-yard gain on first down, and redshirt freshman tight end Alex Turpin snagged a critical catch over the middle for another first down.