Rachel Heaton
The Paw Print
The Adams State football team shut out Wayland Baptist with a final score of 44-0 in Friday night’s season opener at Rex Stadium. The Grizzlies were dominant on both sides of the ball as they took down the Pioneers for the second year in a row. ASU’s offense racked up 557 yards in the contest and came up with 29 first downs, while the defense held the Pioneers to only 59 total offensive yards and forced them to punt 12 times on the night.
After a slow start to the game, ASU put up the first score of the night late in the first quarter on a 34-yard field goal by freshman Logan Beck, who was named this week’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Special Teams Player of the Week.
The Grizzly offense quickly added to the score when senior Cody Davies connected with junior Drew Edwards for a 39 yard completion in the end zone. Beck was successful on the extra point attempt, his first of three successful attempts for the night.
The Grizzlies would score again on their next possession, at the beginning of the second half. Junior Justin Juda swapped in for Davies as quarterback and connected with junior Denzel McCullum for 15 and 18 yard receptions to move the Grizzlies into scoring range. Freshman running back Cameron DeChesaro then found the end zone on a short four yard dash. An unsuccessful two point conversion attempt left the score 16-0.
ASU would go on to put up 11 more points before the end of the half. The Grizzlies moved deep into Pioneer territory following key completions to sophomore Brady Conner and junior Justin Kauffman, as well as runs from DeChesaro and junior Michael Carl. To cap the 14-play, 97-yard drive, Davies, again under center, connected with yet another strong member of his receiving corps in sophomore Taylor Schmidt, good for 18 yards and a touchdown. Juda then scampered into the end zone for the two point conversion.
ASU regained possession on a fumble recovery on the kickoff by senior Dylan Flannery and would put an end to the first half scoring with a 33-yard field goal by Beck.
The Grizzly offense did not hold back their scoring onslaught in the second half, as Justin Juda found the end zone on the first possession of the half with a four yard rush. Later on, Beck also kicked his third and final field goal of the night, a 26-yarder, late in the third quarter.
A third Grizzly quarterback would get some playing time in the fourth quarter in freshman Auston Hillman. Nearing the end of the game, Hillman found the end zone at the end of a 17-play, 71-yard drive for the final score of the night.
On the night, the Grizzly offense scored all six times they entered the red zone. Davies went 10-19, throwing for 136 yards and two touchdowns. McCullum led the ASU receivers, totaling 67 yards in 6 receptions. On the ground, DeChesaro racked up 80 yards in 13 carries, while Carl had 42 yards in 11 attempts. Quarterbacks Juda and Hillman put up 52 yards in 6 carries and 41 yards in 7 carries, respectively.
ASU’s defense subdued the Pioneer offense, as they registered 12 total sacks in Friday’s contest and allowed 93 passing yards and -34 rushing yards. Flannery was credited with 6 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks, while senior Valentino Dressler put up 3 solo tackles and 3 sacks. The defense also logged two turnovers, a fumble recovery by Flannery and an interception in the first quarter by senior Connor Stevens.
This weekend the Grizzlies travel to Goodwell, Okla. for a 2 p.m. matchup against the (1-1) Oklahoma Panhandle State University Aggies. Fans unable to travel to Saturday’s contest can listen to the game on KSPK radio.
The Grizzlies will return home on the following Saturday, Sept. 21, where they will begin RMAC play against Western State Colorado University.
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