GOLDEN — Trailing 34-33 with one minute remaining in the game, New Mexico Highlands marched 80 yards and scored with five seconds left Saturday to beat Colorado Mines, 40-34.
The Cowboys (3-0, 1-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) jumped to an early 20-0 lead, and the Orediggers (2-1, 0-1) responded with three touchdowns early in the second quarter. The teams traded leads, and Mines led 34-33 with 1:10 remaining in the game before the Cowboys responded with the final score.
The Orediggers had allowed only one touchdown and 169.5 yards per game of offense going into the game, but the Cowboys scored six touchdowns and racked up 558 total yards.
Mines, which averages 521 yards per game, finished the day with 387 yards, with Clay Garcia throwing three interceptions.
Chadron State 15, Western State 7
GUNNISON — Western State’s defense gave up 235 yards rushing, and the Eagles (1-2, 1-0) defeated the winless Mountaineers (0-3, 0-3).
The Eagles racked up 399 total yards compared with 201 for Western State.
Nebraska-Kearney 52, Colorado Mesa 10
GRAND JUNCTION — The Mavericks (1-2, 0-1) gave up 649 total yards and yielded 21 points in the second quarter and 24 in the fourth to the Lopers (3-0, 1-0). Colorado Mesa struggled against the run and the pass, with Nebraska-Kearney quarterback Jake Spitzlberger registering his third career 100-yard rushing day.
With the victory, the Lopers start the season 3-0 for the first time since 1994.
W. New Mexico 26, Fort Lewis 17
DURANGO — Kameron Drawhorn scored two touchdowns, and the Mustangs (2-1, 1-0) held the Skyhawks (1-2, 0-1) to three second-half points.
CSU-Pueblo 20, Adams State 11
ALAMOSA — Jesse Lewis ran for 218 yards and the defense had two interceptions for the ThunderWolves (3-0, 1-0) to defeat the Grizzlies (2-1, 0-1).
