Durango – Fort Lewis quarterback Matt Gutierrez scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter and the Skyhawks’ defense held Nebraska-Kearney to just one more field goal for a 21-16 victory in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game at Ray Dennison Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Fort Lewis (2-2, 2-0 RMAC) was picked to finish first in the conference in a preseason poll of coaches, while Nebraska-Kearney (1-2, 0-1) was picked second.
Gutierrez twice hooked up with Kris Ducy for long touchdown passes, including a 46-yard score that helped put the Skyhawks ahead 7-0 in the first quarter and a 67-yard strike that led to Fort Lewis taking a 14-13 lead late in the first half.
Gutierrez threw for 314 yards, completing 21-of-34 passes, while Ducy led all receivers with 13 catches for 199 yards.
Lopers quarterback Kevin Arbuckle, who finished with 159 yards on 9-for-25 passing, helped tie the game at 7-7 with a 33-yard touchdown toss to Cory Sleeth early in the second quarter.
Sleeth led Nebraska-Kearney’s receiving corps with five catches for 87 yards.
Fort Lewis outgained Nebraska-Kearney in total offense 434 yards to 268.
ADAMS STATE 26, COLORADO MINES 7 at Golden – Gene Mejia caught two touchdown passes to help the Grizzlies to a 16-0 halftime lead and they never trailed in downing the Orediggers at Brooks Field in the RMAC opener for both teams.
Adams State (2-1, 1-0 RMAC) had 143 yards rushing, led by Tyree Walton’s 89 yards. Colorado Mines (1-2, 0-1) was led by sophomore quarterback Rowdy Arciaga, who completed 34-of-49 passes for 206 yards.
It was Adams State’s first victory over Colorado Mines since 2000.
WESTERN STATE 14, N.M. HIGHLANDS 9 at Las Vegas, N.M. – Casey Adragna’s 1-yard touchdown catch from Dan Brethauer in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winner as the Mountaineers gave Pat Stewart his first win as head coach.
Western State (1-2, 1-0 RMAC) took a 7-6 lead with 5:30 remaining in the first half after Avionne James ran in for an 8-yard score. But Highlands (2-1, 0-1) regained the lead late in the half after a 27-yard field goal.
Brethauer led both teams with 190 yards on 14-of-23 passing.
