It could not have ended in a better way. A botched pitch on a two-point conversion in overtime ended up winning the ball game for the Colorado Mesa University football team.
The Mavericks and Adams State University (ASU) redefined the meaning of an offensive shootout on Saturday night as the two teams combed for a total of 127 points and 1,323 yards of total offense. However, it was CMU who stood tall in the end winning 64-63.
Chance Drake walked off the Grizzlies by slamming ASU running back Tyree Harris to the ground after a mishandled a pitch on a game-deciding two-point conversion in overtime. Following Drake’s tackle, the sideline exploded as the Mavericks stormed the field and celebrated what was a truly chaotic game.
“I am just so proud of these seniors and this football team,” Head coach Russ Martin said. “We knew it was gonna be a battle…but even when we’re down, our guys kept battling and they stayed focused.”
The only thing missing from this game was the actual kitchen sink. Blocked punts returned for touchdowns, two-point conversions returned for a defensive score and history-making receptions made up what was a memorable senior night.
Both Eystin Salum and Peter Anderson set historic CMU marks. Salum became the all-time leader in career passing yards while Anderson broke the school record for most receiving yards in a single season. Both of those accolades were broken on the same play.
It came via a 51-yard bomb by Salum to Anderson in the first quarter that was caught and downed at the Grizzlies’ one-yard line. Salum broke the record in his last performance at Stocker Stadium and he couldn’t have done it in a better fashion. The Denver native ended the day completing 16 passes for 275 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. He also racked up 130 yards and three touchdowns rushing.
By the time Anderson and Salum broke their respected records. The Mavericks were trying to cut the game back within seven points because they were down 38-24 at this point. Salum then punched it in with his first of three one-yard touchdown runs.
“Eystin’s just an outstanding player,” Martin said. “He’s an exciting player and he’s going to make things happen…He’s just exciting to watch and man it’s great to have him in this program and he’s been a great leader for this program as well.”
There is too much that happened in this game to talk about in one sitting. Adams State completely lit the world on fire with their offense. Backup quarterback John Buksa got the start and ended up throwing four touchdown passes and running for another all in the first half. Buksa went down with a knee injury in the third quarter and Michael Morales was forced to take over.
Morales did not do so bad himself. The third-stringer threw for three touchdowns on his own accord.
The Grizzlies piled up 769 yards of total offense and did it all with backup quarterbacks.
CMU was able to stay in the game with solid rushing and their scores on special teams. The Mavericks rushed for 279 total yards that were lead by Jonathan Beverly. The 5’7 running back rushed for a season-high 153 yards and two touchdowns off of 26 carries.
Two of Salum’s one-yard touchdown runs were dives over the goal line. The first one was to tie the game with 43 seconds left in the fourth and the second gave the Mavericks the lead in overtime.
“I asked coach because we were a yard away and I could just over the line and he said ‘fine’,” Salum said. “The line fired off and gave me an opportunity to jump in there…it wasn’t a perfect game. I had mistakes, the defense had mistakes, we all had mistakes but we all worked together to come out and get the win and that is satisfying.”
CMU took the lead in overtime and were able to hold onto the 64-63 win after the ASU touchdown due to the failed two-point conversion. The one-point deficit sums up how close this game was down the stretch but also signifies how hard the Mavericks fought despite the fact that championships are not what they were fighting for.
“You never quit, you keep battling and good things are gonna happen,” Martin said after the game. “We’ve won three championships and that’s hard to do. But our guys are continuing to play and continuing to compete and that is all you can do in life.”
CMU (6-4,5-4) will close out the season on the road next week against New Mexico Highlands (4-6,4-5) in Las Vegas, N.M.
