DURANGO, CO - September 29, 2007 - The Fort Lewis College football team defeated Western State College 19 to zero earlier today in their first win of the season. With the shutout victory over the host Mountaineers, the Skyhawks improve to 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), while the Moutaineers fall to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the RMAC.

On the opening drive of the game, the Skyhawks scored their first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard rush by quarterback Tom Stoffel (Boulder, CO/Fairview). The seven-play 80-yard drive was highlighted by 34-yard and 13-yard rushes by tailback Joel Johnson (Englewood, CO/Cherry Creek). Johnson carried the ball to the Western State one-yard line on the 13-yard carry.

The Mountaineers attempted a field goal on the enssueing drive, but the kick went wide.

On the Skyhawks first drive of the second quarter they gradually made their way to the Western State 34-yard line, but eventually turned the ball over on downs.

Ames then connected on his two field goals to close out the half, including his 50-yarder with 3:19 left on the clock. He gave the Skyhawks a 12-0 lead heading into halftime.

Stoffel capped the scoring with another one-yard rush with 5:55 left in the third quarter. The Fort Lewis drive started at the Mountaineers own 12-yard line where Kelly Bradley (Santa Rosa, CA/Cardinal Newman) receovered a Western State fumble.

Stoffel finished with 88 yards on the ground and 90 through the air on 10-of-19 passing. Sophomore running back, Johnson led all rushers with 110 yards on 31 carries. He added three catches for 39 yards in the win. Brandon Cummings (Lakewood, CO/Alameda) led all the Skyhawk receivers with four catches for 20 yards.

On the defense, Mark Meng (Lake Arrowhead, CA/Chaffey CC) led the Skyhawks with nine total tackles (seven solo tackles). Nick Becker (Thornton, CO/Legacy) led the team with two tackles-for-loss and one sack. He added eight total tackles.

Fort Lewis returns to action Saturday, October 6th at Noon on Ray Dennison Memorial Field against arch-rival Adams State.

Box Score