Mavericks Remain Undefeated, Beat Neb.-Kearney 19-18
(Improve to 5-0 Overall, 3-0 RMAC)
(September 29, 2007)

Mesa State football team remains unbeaten after posting a 19-18 win over the University of Nebraska-Kearney Saturday afternoon at Stocker Stadium. The Mavs start 5-0, the first time since 1989.

MSC's Phil Vigil threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Noble with 5:35 remaining in regulation for the go- ahead touchdown in what proved to be a defensive battle. UNK finished the day with 222 total yards and MSC 204.

The loss dropped the Lopers to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in RMAC action.

UNK scored the only touchdown in the first quarter as time expired on a 14-yard pass from Tyler McNitt to Dennis Havrilla. MSC took a 9-7 lead in to the half on a safety by redshirt freshman Dominic Applehans (4:23). On the ensuing drive following the Loper punt MSC drove 57 yards on eight plays scoring on a Vigil 1-yard touchdown run.

UNK opened the second half with a 25-yard touchdown run by Jake Richards. The Lopers were successful on the two-point conversion and a 15-9 lead.

MSC answered right back with their longest drive of the day, going 78-yards in 12 plays for a 19-yard Jared Keating field goal to pull to within 12-15.

Following a defensive stop by each team, UNK capitalized on a short punt giving the Lopers the ball on the MSC 24-yard line. UNK reached the Mavs 7-yard line and had first and goal but were unable to cross the goal line, settling for a 24-yard field goal. UNK entered the fourth quarter with a 18-12 lead.

The first possession of the 4th for the Mavericks resulted in a 3-and-out, forcing the Mavericks to punt. UNK took over on their own 47-yard line and drove to the MSC 14-yard line before a fumble recovered by Ryan Kadavy stopped the Loper drive.

Each team failed to register a first down on their next possession and after a UNK punt to the MSC 33-yard line with 7:52 remaining the Mavericks put together the winning drive.

Vigil completed 3 passes for 57 yards including the 34-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Noble for the 19-18 lead. Noble finished with 3 receptions for 70 yards on the day, with 2 of those receptions coming in the winning drive.

UNK had two more offensive chances but failed on both attempts to even reach the MSC side of the field.

MSC's Aaron Silverthorn had two interceptions on the day including one at the MSC goal line in the first quarter.

Junior outside linebacker Brandon Birdsall had a game high 11 tackles for the Mavericks and was credited with .5 sack. Mark Gruner and Kurt Kissner had 9 and 8 tackles respectively and combined for 5 tackles for loss yardage.

Tight End Maurice Manley recorded 4 receptions for 37 yards. Vigil was 8-for-17 for 127 yards in the air and rushed for a team high 38 yards.

MSC will travel to St. George, Utah for a non-conference game at Dixie State College this Saturday. MSC opened the 2007 campaign against the Rebels at home, winning that contest 41-14.

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