DURANGO, Colo. – October 22, 2016 – A 27 minute differential in time of possession helped the Fort Lewis College football team to their first home win of the season Saturday afternoon at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.  The Skyhawks defeated Western New Mexico University in a non-conference matchup, 52-14.
 
FLC had possession of the ball for nearly 44 minutes Saturday afternoon. 
 
The last time FLC scored at least 52 points was Nov. 16, 2002 in a 58-55 loss at Colorado Mesa University.  That season, the Skyhawks scored 67, 62 and 55 points in their final three games.
 
Five of the Skyhawks 13 drives today started in Mustang territory.
 
After a slow first quarter start, the Skyhawks finished with 450 yards of total offense on 81 plays.  The Skyhawks defense forced six turnovers by the Mustangs, resulting in 24 points. 
 
WNMU's last five drives of the game ended in turnovers (fumble, two interceptions, two turnovers on downs).
 
Bo Coleman completed a career high 20 passes on a career high 28 attempts for a career best five touchdowns.  His 233 passing yards are the second most this season.
 
FLC's opening drive of the game ended on a 48-yard punt by Joseph Cavale.  The Mustangs first play of the game resulted in a 66-yard rush to bring the Mustangs to the Skyhawks eight yard line.  WNMU put seven on the board just two plays into the game to take a 7-0 lead at 11:26 in the first quarter.
 
The next four drives by both teams ended in a punt before FLC knotted the game at 7-7 with three minutes left in the first stanza.  Jake Reader caught his first touchdown pass of the season to cap a six-play, 44-yard drive.  The Skyhawks started their drive on the Mustangs 44-yard line after WNMU netted a 20-yard punt that went out-of-bounds.
 
PJ Hall tacked on six more points when he carried the ball into the end zone from 10 yards out.  Cavale's extra point gave the Skyhawks a 14-7 lead.
 
Malcom Wright tallied the Skyhawks first interception of the game four plays later on the ensuing drive.  Starting on their own 38-yard line, the Skyhawks drove down to the Mustangs four-yard line leading Cavale to make a 22-yard field goal and give FLC a 17-7 lead with 1:54 left in the half.
 
WNMU's last drive of the half ended in the end zone on an eight-play, 77-yard drive that took only 83 seconds.
 
FLC went into halftime with a 17-14 lead.
 
The Skyhawks defense held the Mustangs scoreless in the second half while the offense notched 35 points on five touchdowns.
 
FLC forced WNMU into a three-and-out in the opening drive of the second half.  Coleman wrapped up an eight-play, 57-yard drive when he found Arealous Hughes for a 14-yard touchdown strike.
 
One play later FLC's offense was back on the field after OJ Thompson forced a fumble that was recovered by Ryneal Lewis-Adams on WNMU's 28-yard line.  FLC struck quickly when Coleman tossed a 28-yard pass to DJ Robinson with 8:50 left in the third quarter for a 31-14 FLC lead.
 
Tyrell Thomas intercepted his second pass of the season and returned it 27 yards to WNMU's 44-yard line, end the Mustangs six-play drive.
 
The following drive was led by Drake Griffin's 17 yards on four carries and Coleman's three passes for 27 yards.  Coleman and Robinson connected for the second time in the end zone on a 12-yard pass, giving the Skyhawks a 38-14 lead.
 
The Mustangs next drive was cut short after their third interception of the game, this time by Dre Cortez who returned it 21 yards to the WNMU 33-yard line.  The Skyhawks fourth and final play of the drive was a 30-yard touchdown pass by Coleman to Gillen just inside the fourth quarter.
 
Trailing 45-14, FLC's defense forced the Mustangs to turn the ball over on downs after 11 plays in the fourth quarter.  The turnover on downs resulted in backup quarterback Larry Cutbirth to rush in for a two-yard touchdown score the sealed a 14-play, 70-yard drive that lasted over nine minutes and sealed the win for FLC, 52-14, with 3:27 left in regulation.
 
Griffin eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards for the fifth time this season.  He carried the ball 23 times for 104 yards.  Griffin needs 134 rushing yards to become the fourth Skyhawk in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
 
Cavale accounted for 10 points after making a 22-yard field goal and going 7-for-7 in extra point attempts.  He also averaged 47.0 yards on three punts, and 62.9 yards on nine kickoffs (three touchbacks).
 
Six of the Andrew Ike's team-leading tackles were solo stops.  Thompson added four tackles, 1.5 sacks for three yards, 2.5 tackles for a loss of four yards and one forced fumble.
 
The Skyhawks will travel to South Dakota School of Mines on Saturday, Oct. 29 for a 1 p.m. game.