GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – September 23, 2017 – Trailing 40-0 in the fourth quarter, the Fort Lewis College football team scored back-to-back touchdowns within 73 seconds, but the Skyhawks late rally fell shot at No. 11 Colorado Mesa University Saturday night at Stocker Stadium, 40-14.
 
The loss sets the Skyhawks back to 1-3 overall and 1-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.  The Mavericks remain undefeated through their first four games of the season.
 
FLC's defense held the Mavericks to a three-and-out on their first drive of the fourth quarter.  Tyler Telphy capped off a 13-play, 81-yard drive to put the first points on the board for FLC, 7-40.  Telphy carried the ball four times for 42 yards on the drive.
 
On the ensuing CMU drive, Nathan Aguilar recovered a fumble on CMU's 22-yard line, giving FLC a short field.  Backup quarterback Jake Lowry ran the ball in from 22 yards out to cap a one-play, 22-yard drive.  Ben Raybon's extra point attempt was good, cutting into the Mavericks lead, 40-14.
 
The Skyhawks defense held CMU to another three-and-out drive, giving FLC the ball on their own 45-yard line with 2:38 left in regulation.  FLC fell short on the nine-play drive, turning the ball over on downs on the CMU 28-yard line.
 
FLC's offense produced 343 yards of total offense, with 199 yards coming on the ground game.
 
The Skyhawks entered the game with only one turnover all season, but lost two turnovers to the Mavericks, resulting in three points.
 
Telphy finished with 137 rushing yards on 23 carries.  Lowry ran for 34 yards on two carries, including a touchdown.
 
Bo Coleman completed 16-of-23 passes for 132 yards.  Mason Hatton caught eight passes for 52 yards.  Arealous Hughes added three catches for 54 yards, including a long of 30 yards.
 
Darrian Stickney led the defensive corps with 10 tackles (four solo).  Two of Donell Pleasant III's six tackles went for a loss of five yards.
 
The Mavericks were held to three points in the first quarter, but charted 16 points in the second quarter, and 21 more in the third quarter.
 
CMU recorded 462 total offensive yards (250 rushing yards, 212 passing yards).  CMU's quarterback Eystin Salum led both teams with 164 rushing yards and 212 passing yards (10-of-18, one touchdown).
 
The Skyhawks will continue their three game road swing at Colorado School of Mines on Sept. 30.  Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.