Sacramento, Calif. – Sacramento State quarterback Marcel Marquez threw for 223 yards and the Hornets kept Northern Colorado from scoring a touchdown in a 14-9 victory over the Bears in a Big Sky Conference game Saturday at Hornet Stadium.
Before the game, Northern Colorado’s president, Kay Norton, called for a mandatory meeting with coaches and athletes today to underscore school rules after an embarrassing string of off-field problems. At least three current or former UNC players face criminal charges or citations, including attempted-murder charges against a former punter.
Against Sacramento State, the Bears (1-7, 0-5) had a 9-7 lead in the third quarter and dominated in time of possession (39:11 to 20:49) and total plays (86-50).
But Sacramento State (3-5, 3-3) twice scored on big plays, including a 41-yard TD pass from Marquez to Jason Barnes.
UNC was led by Andre Wilson’s 141 yards on 37 carries. Wilson increased his career total to 3,256 yards rushing, moving him past Gaynor Blackmon for third place among Bears all-time.
N.M. HIGHLANDS 28, FT. LEWIS 25
Durango – New Mexico Highlands dealt a blow to Fort Lewis’ postseason chances after holding off a furious second-half rally by the Skyhawks for a victory at Ray Dennison Stadium.
In second place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Fort Lewis (6-4, 6-2) was ranked sixth in the Southwest Region. Six teams from the region will advance to the 24-team NCAA Division II tournament.
New Mexico Highlands (6-3, 3-3) moved into fifth place in the RMAC after nearly allowing Fort Lewis to erase a 14-point deficit.
CHADRON STATE 27, MESA STATE 19
Grand Junction – Danny Woodhead strengthened his status as the RMAC’s best running back, bolting for 205 yards and two touchdowns to lead the undefeated Eagles over the Mavericks at Stocker Stadium.
Chadron State (9-0, 6-0) stayed atop the RMAC and should remain the second- ranked team in the Southwest Region.
Woodhead, a junior from North Platte, Neb., has 2,085 yards rushing this season, nearly three times as many as the next highest rusher in the RMAC.
COLORADO MINES 20, NEBRASKA-KEARNEY 14
Kearney, Neb. – Ben Tiller’s 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter helped give the Orediggers an upset win over the Lopers at Foster Field.
Mines (4-5, 2-4 RMAC), trailing 12-7 in the fourth quarter, took a 13-12 lead on Bryan Florendo’s 17-yard scoring run.
Florendo’s 118 yards on 25 carries led Mines. UNK’s Kevin Arbuckle threw for 188 yards.
