DURANGO, Colo. – November 7, 2015 – Three plays over 40 yards each and three interceptions that led to 14 points helped the Fort Lewis College football team dominate Adams State University Saturday afternoon at Ray Dennison Memorial Field, 51-10, in the annual Musket Game.
 
The 51 points are the most FLC has scored since 2005 when they defeated Fort Hays State University, 51-20.  The 51 points also marks the first time Fort Lewis has scored 40 or more points in a season four times.
 
Today's win improved the Skyhawks record to 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, making it the Skyhawks first winning season since 2006 (7-4 overall, 6-2 RMAC).
 
Sophomore running back PJ Hall entered today's game with 855 rushing yards for the season.  He finished the day with 1,034 rushing yards through 10 games.  Hall carried the ball 25 times against the Grizzlies for 179 yards and one touchdown. 
 
Hall is only the third rusher in school history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season.  The last time a FLC running back tallied 1,000 rushing yards was in 2000 when Joe Moore ran for 1,058 yards.  Scott Stamper holds the season career rushing record with 1,206 yards, recorded in 1982.
 
Backup quarterback Allen Thigpen started the Skyhawks scoring spree with two rushing touchdowns of 15 and seven yards in the first quarter for a FLC 14-0 lead. 
 
On the Grizzlies first play of the second quarter, Joshua Roybal intercepted ASU on the ASU's 43-yard line setting up a short field for the Skyhawks.  Two plays later on the ensuing drive, Thigpen completed a 41-yard pass to LyDell Williams for a 21-0 lead.
 
The Skyhawks next drive was a three-and-out.  After a short 28-yard punt, ASU started their drive on the Skyhawks 30-yard line.   Four plays later Zach Cimaglia made a 42-yard field goal to put ASU on the scoreboard, 21-3 with 3:41 left in the first half.
 
Fort Lewis closed the first half with an eight-play, 44-yard drive that ended in a season high 48-yard field goal for Kipp Castanha.
 
On the first play of the second half, PJ Hall scampered down the field 74 yards before being tackled at the ASU one-yard line.  He punched it in one play later to give FLC a 31-3 lead.
 
Castanha added another six more points for the Skyhawks after making field goals from 27 and 37 yards out for a 37-3 lead.
 
ASU tallied their one and only touchdown of the game with 10:22 left in regulation, cutting FLC's lead to 37-10.
 
On the Skyhawks next drive, Hall carried the ball for a one yard gain before Allen Thigpen found Esley Simmons for a 74-yard touchdown. 
 
Two plays later, Cory Witt intercepted ASU which led to a four-play, 32-yard drive that ended with Drake Griffin scoring a touchdown from seven yards out for the final score, 51-10.
 
Castanha finished the game making all three field goal attempts and all six extra point attempts for 15 points.
 
Thigpen completed three of four passes for 135 yards.  He also carried the ball 12 times for 12 yards.  Bo Coleman also took snaps under center, completing four of six passes for 27 yards.
 
Esley Simmons finished with a game high 105 receiving yards on three catches and one touchdown. 
 
The Skyhawks defensive unit held Adams State to only 34 rushing yards.  Ryneal Lewis Adams led FLC with six tackles. 
 
The Springfield .45-70 military issue rifle that serves as the traveling trophy between Fort Lewis College and Adams State University was donated in 1966 to the two athletic departments by Mahlon "Butch" White, who was involved with the First National Banks in both Alamosa and Durango, in memory of William White. The rifle is retained by the winning school at their annual football game. Traditionally, seniors from the winning team fire the rifle at the conclusion the game.
 
Before today, the last time the Skyhawks won the Musket Game was at home in 2013 (W, 27-24).
 
Fort Lewis will play their final game of the regular season next Saturday at Chadron State College.