Skyhawks Football Game Day Notes

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 | 12 PM
Fort Lewis Vs. #23 Colorado Mesa University
Durango, Colo. | Ray Dennison Memorial Field

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For the third straight week, the Skyhawks will face a nationally ranked opponent.  FLC will play host to No. 23 Colorado Mesa University on Saturday at 12 p.m.
 
Fort Lewis played at No. 7 Colorado Mines this past weekend (L, 48-28), and at No. 7 Colorado State-Pueblo the week before (L, 45-9).
 
The last time the Skyhawks and Mavericks met was in Grand Junction on Oct. 25, 2014.  FLC led by 21 points heading into the fourth quarter and held on for the 28-20 road win.
 
The Mavericks lead the all-time series with the Skyhawks, 29-11-1.  FLC is 5-13-1 when playing the Mavericks at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.
 
Quarterback Jordan Doyle set multiple game highs at Colorado Mines: rushing touchdowns (three), longest rush (75), pass completions (19), pass attempts (31), and passing yards (249).  Wide receiver/returner Juquelle Thompson caught a season high eight passes against the Orediggers, while OJ Thompson matched a team high for most sacks in a game (two).
 
FLC was tied with one of the most potent offenses in Division II last Saturday.  The Skyhawks and Orediggers were knotted at 28-28 early in the third quarter before CSM scored 20 unanswered points.
 
Michael Benabides picked off CSM's Justin Dvorak in the Skyhawks end zone for a touchback.  It was only the fourth time this season Dvorak was picked off.
 
CMU is averaging 37.9 points per game and are holding their opponents to a league best 12.4 points per game.  The Mavericks have out-scored their opponents in touchdowns, 33-9.
 
As a team, the Skyhawks have the fourth best rushing offense (212.1 yards per game) and rushing defense (161.7 yards per game) in the league.  They rank fifth in scoring offense (31.9 points per game) and fifth in scoring defense (26.4 points per game).
 
Juquelle Thompson leads the league in kickoff return average with 21.1 yards per returns. He is fourth in the RMAC in all-purpose yards (149.0), and 10th in receiving yards per game (61.3).
 
Jordan Doyle has the fifth best passing efficiency in the league (136.2) and the fifth best total offense (209.4 yards per game).
 
Allen Thigpen's 43.5 yards per punt is the second best punting average in the RMAC.
 
Daniel Walker leads the team with 48 tackles, the 16th most in the RMAC. Andrew Ike's 47 tackles are the 21st most in the league.
 
Ike and Benabides have each recorded two interceptions.  The Skyhawks have seven as a team.
 
Theo Chambers leads the league in fumble recoveries with three.
 
FLC's 4-2-5 defensive unit features Shane Nelson and Andrew Ike at linebacker.  Ike moved over to the defensive side of the ball after playing wide receiver in 2014. 
 
The Skyhawks secondary of Theo Chambers, Daniel Walker and Amery Duncan boasts speed and experience.
 
The offensive front line is the most experienced group for the Skyhawks.  Tyler Jones, Taylor Suta and Kenny Shinley have combined to start 49 games.  Accompanying them on the front line is Preston Geib and Matt Mahe, both of whom redshirted in 2014.
 
Sophomore tight end Austin Shaw played in 10 games as a true freshman.  His versatility to block and catch complement the Skyhawks passing game.
 
Senior quarterback Jordan Doyle is in his third year under center.  Doyle saw action in eight games last year before missing the final three games to an injury.  He completed 151 passes on 272 attempts for 10 touchdowns and 1,509 yards, averaging 188.6 passing yards per game.
 
Catching Doyle's passes are Jordan Gillen, Mason Hatton, and Juquelle Thompson.
 
In the backfield for the Skyhawks is sophomore PJ Hall who rushed for over 700 yards as a freshman. 
 
The 2015 season marks John L. Smith's third season on the Skyhawks sideline and 21st overall as a head coach. 
 
Fort Lewis College senior defensive lineman Sione Folaumoeloa was selected to the 2015 Preseason All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team. 
 
As a team, the Skyhawks received 27 points, placing them eighth in the RMAC Football preseason poll.
 
A six-foot, 230-pound lineman from Salt Lake City, Folaumoeloa started all 11 games last season for the Skyhawks.  He accounted for 51 tackles, including 26 solo stops.  Folaumoeloa led the team with 12 tackles for a loss of 45 yards.
 
The Skyhawks finished the 2014 campaign with a 3-8 overall record and a 2-7 league record, tying for ninth place in the league standings.  Fort Lewis' season was highlighted by a 23-22 home win over Colorado State University-Pueblo, then ranked No. 2 in the nation.  The ThunderWolves would go on to win the NCAA Division II National Championship.