Rachel Heaton
The Paw Print
A 39-yard field goal by freshman Logan Beck in the final seconds of regulation pushed the Adams State football team to victory over the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks on Saturday in the final contest of the regular season. The Grizzlies’ 19-17 victory gives them a 7-4 overall record this season and 5-4 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play. ASU finishes fourth in the RMAC standings this season.
The Grizzlies got off to a slow start Saturday, allowing the Mavericks to post 10 points in the first quarter. Their points came on a 19-yard touchdown pass and a 31-yard field goal. Adams State was able to keep the score close, however, when junior Justin Kauffman rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown mid-way through the second quarter. Beck was successful on the point after attempt. Neither team scored for the remainder of the half, keeping the score 10-7 in favor of Mesa at halftime.
Both teams were scoreless in the third quarter. Beck was able to even out the score early in the fourth quarter on a 44-yard field goal. The Grizzlies were able to jump ahead on their next possession when junior Michael Carl ran the ball in from three yards out. A botched snap on the point after attempt left the score 16-10 in favor of ASU.
The Grizzlies’ lead was short lived, however, as the Mavericks answered back on their next drive with a 32-yard touchdown pass, giving them a 17-16 edge.
ASU did not go down without a fight, and spent the final two minutes of the game driving 70 yards down field to put themselves in field goal range. Beck then came on to kick the game winning field goal with only 5 seconds remaining on the clock. The Grizzlies stopped the Mavericks on the ensuing kickoff and were able to come away with the victory.
For his efforts in Saturday’s contest, Beck was named the RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week, an honor he has now earned twice this season. He won the award the first time in the opening game of the season against Wayland Baptist.
The Grizzly offense put up a total 435 yards in Saturday’s contest. Freshman Auston Hillman threw for 189 yards while rushing for an additional 69. Kauffman led the Grizzlies on the ground, recording 97 yards in 10 carries, including his 40 yard touchdown run. Freshman Jabari Ray Garvin added 57 yards on 8 attempts. Junior Denzel McCullem led the Grizzly receivers, racking up 65 yards on 6 catches.
Sophomore Bobby Anzures recorded one interception for the Grizzlies. The Grizzly defense also logged five sacks in the contest. Senior Vince Coach registered two of the sacks as well as four solo tackles. The other three sacks came from senior Puncho Aiono, senior Valentino Dressler, and freshman John Reed. Senior Dylan Flannery had 10 solo tackles in the game.
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