Western Colorado football nearly came away with its first victory of the season, on Saturday Sept. 3. But, Texas Permian Basin made a few more plays at the end of the game resulting in them winning 34-31 in overtime.
The Mountaineers had an opportunity to score in the first quarter after an eight-play drive that gained 38 yards and stalled on Permian Basin’s 27-yard line. Alec Fonseca missed a difficult 48-yard field goal but made up for it at the beginning of the second quarter with a 34-yard field goal, giving Western Colorado a 3-0 lead.
With 11:37 left in the second quarter, Permian Basin marched down the field on a nine-play, 58-yard drive, scoring on a 3-yard touchdown pass to give the team a 7-3 lead. After stuffing the Falcons in the red zone, Texas Permian Basin drilled a 40-yard field to extend its lead to 10-3.
A few drives later, Jalen Graham stripped the Falcons ball carrier and the ball was recovered by Jordan Greager which he took to the Falcons 15-yard line. That play set up Luke Nethercot to score on the next play on a 15-yard pass to Kai Emmsley — tying the game at 10-10.
Early in the second quarter, the Falcons extended the lead to 16-10 — missing the point after touchdown — on a pick six. Following a failed fourth down attempt by the Falcons, the Mountaineers took the lead with 2:32 left in the third quarter. They marched down the field and scored on a five-play drive which ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Nethercot to Sage Yazzie, giving Western a 17-16 lead.
Before the third quarter ended, Western Colorado blocked a punt, which set up the Mountaineers to score. Nethercot rushed for a 30-yard gain, putting the ball on the Falcons two-yard line. He then capped the drive off with a two-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Mountaineers up 24-16.
On the very next drive, Darrious Gaines intercepted the Permian Basin quarterback, giving Western the ball on the Falcons’ 25-yard. Unfortunately, the Mountaineers were unable to capitalize on the great field position.
Permian Basin tied the game at 24 points apiece, scoring on a 15-yard touchdown pass and then a two-point conversion.
In overtime, the Falcons scored in two plays to give the team a 31-24 lead. But, Western Colorado responded with a five-yard touchdown pass to Emmsley, from Connor Desch. Unfortunately, those would be the final points of the game for the Mountaineers. Two drives later, Permian Basin kicked the game-winning field goal.
Nethercot led the way for Western, throwing for 160 yards for two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and two interceptions. Nathan Meyer was the leading rusher for the Mountaineers with 20 yards, while Emmsley was the leading receiver with 49 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.
Defensively, Carson Mandrell and Ian Loomis led the way in tackles with six apiece. Anthony Johnston had the most sacks for Western with two. Not too far behind was Dominick Fletcher who had 1.5.
The Mountaineers will kick off Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play next week with a game against CSU-Pueblo on the road at 2 p.m.
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