Mavericks Run over Rebels, 44-14
(Coy rushes for 127 yards and two TD's in a stellar debut)
(August 25, 2007)

Mesa State football team opened the 2007 season with an impressive win over Dixie State College Saturday night at Stocker Stadium. Playing for the first time on the new synthetic grass turf, the Mavericks rushed for 155 yards and threw for 180, scoring at least a field goal in each quarter.

Sophomore halfback Bobby Coy who missed last season due to a knee injury rushed 24 times for 127 yards and two touchdowns (23 and 3-yards respectively). Junior quarterback Phil Vigil led the Mavs balanced attack completing 9-of-13 passes for 151 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown pass to Drew Bohannan at the start of the second quarter.

MSC jumped out to a 20-0 lead on Coy's 23-yard run and Vigil-to-Bohannan's 58-yard strike. Junior kicker Jared Keating was near perfect Saturday night putting the Mavs on the board first with a 32-yard field goal in the games first series. Keating went on to kick a 44, 47 and 49 yard field goals, scoring in each of the four quarters. Keating missed a 25-yarder and the Mavs had a point after attempt blocked in the third quarter.

Mesa State defense held the Rebels to 30 net yards rushing and just 153 total yards in the game. The defense forced four turnovers (1 fumble, 3 interceptions) and stopped Dixie State on 8-of-9 third down conversions. MSC was credited with three sacks for 25 yards.

Senior Brandon Charles had a team high six tackles. Ryan Kadavy, Brandon Birdsall and Frank Berlanga picked up their first interceptions of the season, all coming in the third quarter.

MSC will host Humboldt State this Saturday at Stocker Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 PM.

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