Rachel Heaton
The Paw Print
The Grizzlies dropped their contest Saturday against the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Mustangs. After leading for the majority of the contest, ASU surrendered a touchdown in the final minutes of play to give the Mustangs a 40-36 victory.
The Grizzlies struck first on Saturday, with a 14 yard pass from quarterback Auston Hillman to Phil Romero minutes into the first quarter. However, the Mustangs tied up the contest on their ensuing drive.
Adams State pulled ahead in the final minutes of the first quarter when Addie Brown rushed 11 yards for the Grizzly touchdown. Less than a minute later, the Grizzly defense added to the scoring fest, when they came up with a safety.
In the second quarter, Michael Carl broke away and ran 51 yards to the end zone. WNMU was able then able to come up with another touchdown, so the teams entered the half with the Grizzlies leading 22-10.
Brown found the end zone again midway through the third quarter, this time on a 16 yard run.
The Mustangs then went on a scoring run, putting up three unanswered touchdowns and a field goal to go ahead for the first time in the contest, 33-29.
Adams regained the lead when Carl dashed 4 yards into the end zone for his second score of the afternoon.
However, the Grizzlies were unable to hold on, and the Mustangs’ one yard touchdown run was good enough to seal the WNMU victory.
Carl led the Grizzlies on the ground, racking up 88 yards, while Brown added 46 yards of his own. Hillman put up 41 rushing yards along with 237 passing yards. McCullum topped the ASU receivers, totaling 101 yards on five receptions.
Defensively, Wesley Brandon and John Reed each logged 12 tackles. John Flowers recorded the only sack of the afternoon.
This weekend, the Grizzlies return home for their final home contest of the 2014 season. The game will also be head coach Marty Heaton’s final home contest as a Grizzly, as Heaton announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Adams State plays host to the Fort Lewis Skyhawks in the annual Musket game and Senior Day.
The game will also benefit Jaiden, the young man that joined the team as the Grizzlies’ 12th man thanks to Team IMPACT. Jaiden is battling a rare skin disease so the athletic department would like to ask for donations to aid his family with medical costs. Saturday’s contest is set for a noon kickoff.
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