DURANGO, CO - September 14, 2007 - The Fort Lewis College football team was defeated 61-0 by Nebraska-Kearney earlier today in their 2007 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) season opener. The Skyhawks fall to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the RMAC, while the Lopers improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The Skyhawks were held to just 166 yards on 59 plays (2.8 yards per play), while giving up 577 yards of total offense to the Lopers on 71 plays (8.1 yards per play). The Lopers racked up 360 yards on the ground and 217 yards through the air as the Skyhawks were held to 97 on the ground and 69 passing.
The Skyhawks have yet to score a point this season as they continue to try and replace key losses from a season ago.
Dave Nieman (Chino Hills, CA/Chaffey CC) got the starting knod at quarterback for the Skyhawks, his first at Fort Lewis. The junior college transfer went 4-for-11 for one yard in a half of play. Tom Stoffel (Boulder, CO/Fairview) stepped in for the second half and went 5-for-12 with one interception and 68 yards.
After a muffled kick to open the game, the Skyhawks started their first drive on the half-yard line. Their first play was stopped by the Kearney defense for a safety.
The Skyhawks were only in Loper territory two times all day and got as close as the 11-yard line late in the third quarter, but turned the ball over on down.
For the first time in four years the Skyhawks fell to the Lopers, prior to that Kearney had won eight-straight.
Dennis Havrilla led the Lopers with 154 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-16 passing. Jake Richards 147 yards and two touchdowns on 21 attempts, while Brendan Liess ran for 70 yards on eight carries and a touchdown. Leiss added four catches for 75 yards and another touchdown.
Chris Rotering grabbed eight tackles to lead the Loper defense.
Mark Meng (Lake Arrowhead, CA/Chaffey CC) led the Skyhawks defense with nine tackles on the afternoon. Leonard Jones, Jr. (Aurora, CO/Eaglecrest) tallied eight tackles, while Nick Becker (Thornton, CO/Legacy) grabbed five tackles including a sack.
Joel Johnson (Eagle ,CO/Cherry Creek) led the Skyhawks backfield with 62 yards on 30 carries, while Dion Myers (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach City) rushed fro 35 yards on nine carries. Vic Amick (Cotati, CA/Santa Rosa JC) led the Skyhawks' receiving corps with three catches for 26 yards.
The Skyhawks come home for their 2007 home opener next Saturday at 6:00 p.m. against RMAC rival Mesa State. The game will be the Skyhawks' first night game in nearly five years.
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