Washburn 27, Colorado Mines 14
GOLDEN — David Pesek completed 34-of-43 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown, but Colorado Mines could not stop Washburn (Kan.) University’s ground game in a loss at Brooks Field on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
Justin Cooper gained 136 yards on 13 carries for Washburn, which accumulated 257 yards on the ground.
Pesek led a nine-play, 62- yard drive to get Mines on the scoreboard first, connecting with Adam Saur from 10 yards out.
Mines would not score again until 1:21 was left in the game, on Jahre Cheesman’s 1-yard run.
Fort Hays State 45, Western State 17
GUNNISON — The Mountaineers gave up three touchdown returns in their season opener.
Western State closed to within 17-10 with 54 seconds left in the first half on Tyler Daniels’ 11-yard touchdown pass to Allen Aguilar, but the Tigers’ Kenny Kinnard returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards.
C.J. Lovett returned the second-half opening kickoff 95 yards and then scored on a 78-yard punt return.
Fort Lewis 23, Panhandle (Okla.) St. 13
DURANGO — The Skyhawks scored the last 16 points to get a come-from- behind win in their season opener.
Freshman Nate Soucie converted his first collegiate field goal, from 26 yards, to start the comeback and freshman quarterback Tim Jenkins connected on two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.
Jenkins had a 5-yard toss to Brandon Schneid and a 41- yarder to Phillip Dodd.
CSU-Pueblo 28, Eastern New Mexico 23
PUEBLO — The Thunderwolves held on to win their season opener in a thriller. The Greyhounds mounted two drives into CSU-Pueblo territory late in the game, with one drive ending at the 2 on an interception by Sutton Richmond, the other with a 16-yard sack at the 34 as time ran out.
Central Washington 10, Mesa State 0
GRAND JUNCTION — Johnny Spevak caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Robertson for the game’s only touchdown.
Linebacker Bennett Newton made 19 tackles for the Mavericks (0-1).
Denver Post staff and wire services
