Football team wins battle against weather, CMU

Despite uncooperative weather, the Eagle’s football team still came out on top of Colorado Mesa University, 24-13.

“The weather definitely changed throughout the game from being warm to cooler and rainy but that didn’t affect us as a team,” Linebacker Dylan Furrier, junior of Tucson, Arizona, said. “We were focused on finishing and winning the game just like any other. Our coaches talk about responding to adversity and not making excuses and we did that well against CMU.” 

CSC never trailed in the game against the Mavericks, even after a 37 minute lightning delay in the fourth quarter. 

Quarterback Jonn McLain, senior of Chadron,  completed 13 of 33 passes for 123 yards, including one touchdown.

Tailback Cody Paul, sophomore of Seal Beach, California, led the team in rushing yards with 133. He also tallied a touchdown. As a team, CSC put up 235 yards in the rushing game. Tailback Michael Madkins, senior of Sacramento, California, contributed on the ground with 74 yards. Inside Receiver Zac Bargen, junior of Chadron, caught three passes for 38 yards and led the team with receiving yards. Wide Receiver Kyle Vinich, junior of Casper, Wyoming, caught two passes for 19 yards and one touchdown. 

The special team blocked a Mavericks’ punt in the first quarter. This marked the fifth block for the Eagle’s special teams this season. 

Defensive Back Ryan Wood, sophomore of Stockton, California, led the Eagles with nine tackles and one interception. Safety Lane Haller, senior of Gordon, tallied eight tackles, and Linebacker Courtland Joshua, junior of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, marked seven and a sack. 

Going into the game, the Eagles were coming off a two game losing streak. 

“Last week, we prepared the same as we always do for a game, but we were extremely excited and ready to get on the right track and start winning again,” Furrier said. “Losing games is never easy but everyone last week was ready to play to win, and we weren’t going to accept anything less.” 

This week the team prepares for the homecoming game at 1 p.m. on Saturday against Western State University. 

“This week is homecoming, but, like I said before, we are going to prepare to win like any other week,” Furrier said. “It’s a home game which is always excited especially with the large crowd we will get. We’re very excited to play at home and show everyone how we’ve progressed so far. We always put an emphasis on playing well at home and this is another opportunity to win in front of the alumni and protect the tradition that these former Eagle players created for us.”