Box Score
GUNNISON, Colo. – Tim Jenkins threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns as Fort Lewis (2-5 overall, 1-4 in the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) defeated Western State (1-6, 1-4) 27-10 today at the Mountaineer Bowl.
“It was very nice to see our offense come out and stretch the field,” said second-year FLC head coach Cesar Rivas-Sandoval, whose Skyhawks used a balanced running and passing attack. “Our big play ability was there, which allowed us to score more points.”
The Fort Lewis defense also had a big game, particularly in the second half when they held the Mountaineers scoreless.
“We played bend but don't break defense,” said Rivas-Sandoval. “We were also able to create turnovers.”
In fact, it took the Skyhawk defense just two plays to register the game's first points. Penalties on the opening kickoff and a tackle-for-loss of two yards by Cody Miles put the Mountaineers on second and 12 from their own four-yard line. On the next play, the Skyhawks forced Mountaineer quarterback Jamie Jensen to throw the ball under pressure to avoid a sack in the endzone. Jensen's pass was illegally touched in the endzone by one of his offensive linemen, Brenden Condon, which resulted in a safety and a 2-0 FLC lead just 56 seconds into the game.
The Skyhawks stretched the lead to 9-0 by the end of the first quarter after Jenkins engineered a 10-play, 64-yard drive, capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Van Gramann.
After the Mountaineers trimmed the lead to 9-3 on a 26-yard Lloyd Tucker field goal, Jenkins led FLC on another long scoring drive, this time a seven-play, 60-yard drive that ended with a four-yard TD strike to Jordan Sloat.
Western State answered with a 24-yard scoring pass from Jensen to Curtis Prock with 21 second left in the first half to cut the lead to 16-10.
The backbreaker came just 43 seconds into the second frame when Jenkins and Jonathan Price connected on a 77-yard bomb. Gramann's two-point rush extended the lead to 24-10. Ryan Baldwin provided the final margin on a 20-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
Jenkins completed 18 of 30 passes during the game and added another 14 yards on the ground. Price caught six passes for 165 yards, while Gramann had 17 carries for 78 yards.
Jensen completed 26 of 46 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown for WSC. L.A. McGee caught seven passes for 110 yards.
The Skyhawks return home next Saturday, where they'll host Adams State (4-3, 2-3) at 1 p.m. at Ray Dennison Memorial Field. The game is the annual musket game between the two schools, with seniors from the winning team firing the Springfield .45-70 rifle after the game.
The Skyhawk Booster Club will also hold a tailgate party in Skyhawk Gardens, located in the northeast corner of Dennison Field, from 11 a.m. through the end of the third period. Food from the Balcony Bar & Grill will be sold, along with beverages from Coca-Cola of Durango, A&L Coors, and Steamworks Brewing Co.
