ALAMOSA — Chadron State, ranked No. 20 in Division II, fell behind 16-0 and didn’t score until just before halftime, then rallied for a 37-26 victory over Adams State on Saturday.
Adams State (0-3, 0-1) took an early lead after Bryce Buderus threw two of his three touchdown passes, a 32-yard strike to Brady Rohlwing and a 36-yarder to Daniel Rincon.
The Eagles (2-1, 1-0) took their first lead of the game with 9:24 remaining, when Mark Haag ran for a touchdown from 1-yard out. John Ritzen’s 44-yard run for a score 4 minutes later put the game out of reach.
Buderus completed 20-of-33 passes for 250 yards and three TDS. Joe McLain threw for 192 yards on 16-of-27 passing for Chadron.
CSU-Pueblo 37, Fort Lewis 7
DURANGO — CSU-Pueblo ran away in the fourth quarter, scoring three unanswered TDs to pull ahead of host Fort Lewis (1-2, 0-1).
The Thunderwolves (2-0, 1-0) remain undefeated in their first season since disbanding in 1985. The win puts them in first place in the RMAC and sets up a matchup with second-place Chadron State next week in Pueblo. Brandon Gray led Pueblo with a game-high 126 yards rushing.
Colo. Mines 35, Western N.M. 28
GOLDEN — Adam Saur’s third touchdown of the day, a 31-yard reception from David Pesek with 5:15 remaining, gave Colorado Mines a victory over Western New Mexico at Brooks Field.
Saur caught 11 passes on the day for 138 yards. Pesek led the Orediggers (2-1, 1-0) with 346 yards passing on 27-of-39 completions and four TDs.
Cody House led the Mustangs (0-2, 0-1) with 417 yards passing.
Mesa State 34, N.M. Highlands 27
GRAND JUNCTION — Mesa State rallied with 24 unanswered points in the second half to beat New Mexico Highlands (0-3, 0-1). After Jared Keating’s 32-yard field goal tied the score, running back Bobby Coy scored the game-winner from 3 yards with 2:36 remaining. Phil Vigil led Mesa State (1-2, 1-0) with 241 yards passing.
Neb.-Kearney 44, Western State 15
GUNNISON — Nebraska-Kearney scored on the opening drive and never trailed in topping host Western State. Jake Spitzlberger threw a TD pass to Kyle Kaiser to move the score to 14-0. The Lopers improve to 1-2, 1-0. The Mountaineers drop to 0-2, 0-1.
