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The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

From happiness to hopelessness, fantasy football can change lives abruptly. While fantasy football can be played for free, many players choose to wager money each season.

FANTASY FOOTBALL FEVER

Charlene Clark, Arts & Life Editor October 6, 2025

Since football season has begun, you may have heard conversations that sound something like this: “I have a draft on Sunday” or “the Cowboys defense got me barely any points this week!” These things...

CMU Football players break the huddle with hands and helmets held in the air after defeating Eastern New Mexico University on Sept. 6. The postive energy in the stadium motivated players to perform their best.

MORE THAN FOOTBALL

Justin Shaw, Sports Editor October 6, 2025

On game days at Stocker Stadium, the lights, the roar of the crowd and the sound of the marching band fill the air. But the energy of a football Saturday goes far beyond the scoreboard. There are the...

Senior Malik Manuel (center) struts his way down the field after winning $10,000. Manuel noted that this was one of the few moments he had ever shown so much emotion, and understandably so.
Courtesy of Malik Manuel

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Justin Shaw, Sports Editor September 7, 2025

Some football journeys follow a straight line. High school stardom leads to a scholarship, and college dominance leads to the pros. Malik Manuel’s journey has looked nothing like what is considered...

Hunter Hughes' headshot at the University of Idaho.
// Courtesy of the University of Idaho Athletics website

BREAKING: FOOTBALL HIRES FORMER DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR

Dean Allen, Co-Sports Editor February 5, 2025

Earlier today Colorado Mesa University (CMU) head football coach Miles Kochevar announced the hiring of Hunter Hughes to take the reins of the Maverick defense. Hughes, former coordinator of the year at...

New football bad boy uniforms debut

New football bad boy uniforms debut

April Fools April 1, 2024

The Maverick football team has adopted a new uniform for the upcoming 2024 season. “Our uniforms from the past two seasons have honestly been boring. I mean, just white numbers and a Mavroon base?...

Maverick Football Closes Strong

Maverick Football Closes Strong

Matt Majewski November 17, 2023

After going 4-6 in Head Coach Miles Kochevar’s first year at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) the team won their last two games to finish this season with a winning record. Going 6-5, and 5-4 in the...

A topsy-turvy season

A topsy-turvy season

Matt Majewski November 9, 2023

As the football season winds down, the trend of either huge wins or huge losses continues for Colorado Mesa University (CMU). The Mavericks beat Adams State University 42-7  for their homecoming...

Mavs Lose on Deep Last Second Field Goal

Mavs Lose on Deep Last Second Field Goal

Matt Majewski September 24, 2023

After being benched early in the 4th quarter, quarterback Gavin Herberg stoically returned for the Mavs for the two-minute drill, leading them to a field goal to give them the lead with 38 seconds left....

Colorado Mesa Beats Division I Opponent

Colorado Mesa Beats Division I Opponent

Matt Majewski September 10, 2023

Despite traveling by bus over 20 hours, having a second year head coach and not deciding on a starting quarterback yet, the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) football team beat a Division I opponent while...

Sloppy season opener

Sloppy season opener

Matt Majewski September 4, 2023

The 10 year streak of week one wins was snapped, as Colorado Mesa University (CMU) dropped the season opener to the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas. The defense was impressive, but the Mavericks could...

Mavericks set for a rebound in 2023

Mavericks set for a rebound in 2023

Dane Campbell and Matt Majewski September 1, 2023

Following a turbulent 2022-23 season, the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) football team eyes redemption in the second year of the Coach Kochevar era. With an intriguing mix of veterans and young talent,...

Believe it or not, this is not the first time I.P.  Freely has fallen victim to a discarded banana. During a game against South Dakota Mines this season, an unidentified monkey found its way onto Stocker Field and wreaked havoc during the second quarter. Here, Freely is shown falling on his head, but impressively still holding onto ball. Way to put the team first!

QB out for season after slipping on banana peel in cartoonish fashion

Crite Staff April 5, 2023

Disaster struck campus on March 32, when Colorado Mesa University (CMU) junior quarterback I.P. Freely dramatically slipped and fell on a discarded banana peel. CMU’s training staff expect Freely to...

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