Golden – Chadron (Neb.) State running back Danny Woodhead became the NCAA Division II’s all-time leading rusher Saturday as the Eagles downed host Colorado Mines 35-7 at Brooks Field.
Woodhead finished with 160 yards rushing, a bulk of them in the second half. His 7,066 career rushing yards is the most in Division II. And he needs 288 yards to set the all-time, all-division NCAA record held by Grove City, Pa.’s R.J. Bowers (7,353 yards, 1997-2000).
The Eagles (4-0), in winning their 17th consecutive game to set a school record, were stymied by Mines’ defense in the first half. The Orediggers held Chadron to just 133 yards in the first half and led 7-6 at halftime, even after fumbling at the Chadron 5-yard line with less than a minute remaining in the half.
Two long drives in the third quarter gave Chadron a 19-7 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Chadron scored twice. Woodhead ran for a 44-yard TD and Landon Ehlers returned a punt 63 yards for a score.
David Pesek threw for 132 yards on 20-of-27 passing to lead Mines (1-3).
MESA ST. 17, FORT LEWIS 3 at Durango – Kyle Britton’s 2-yard run for a touchdown midway through the first quarter was all visiting Mesa State would need, as the Mavericks (4-0) stayed atop the RMAC standings.
Philip Vigil threw for 219 yards on 16-of-25 passing for Mesa State.
Fort Lewis drops to 0-3.
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS 29, ADAMS STATE 21 at Las Vegas, N.M. – LaFerrell Payne’s 65-yard touchdown catch from Alex Aispuro with less than two minutes remaining rallied New Mexico Highlands to a victory over Adams State.
Adams State’s Josh Gibson caught a 64-yard touchdown score from Billy Lundquist in the fourth quarter, and the two connected for a two-point conversion that tied the game at 21-21. Lundquist finished with 178 yards passing and three touchdowns.
But Aispuro countered with 356 yards in the air and three TDs. It was Highlands’ (3-1) first victory over Adams State (0-5) since 2001.
Randall Brown rushed for 110 yards on 17 carries for the Cowboys.
WESTERN N.M. 42, WESTERN STATE 39 at Silver City, N.M. – In a game of winless teams, Steve Flores’ 32-yard field goal with 27 seconds remaining gave Western New Mexico (1-3) a victory over Western State (0-4).
Jeff Polley threw for 433 yards on 23-of-26 passing to lead Western New Mexico.
