DURANGO, Colo. – It will be a new look to the start of the season for the Fort Lewis College football team this Friday night when they open the 2018 campaign under the lights at Durango High School against New Mexico Highlands University at 6 p.m. Not only will it be the opener for both teams, but will also count as a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) contest.
FLC returns five Preseason All-RMAC players to this year's team that went 5-6 last year and 5-5 in the conference. Three of the losses were by a single possession and one other, the season finale against Dixie State, was decided by just 10 points.
It was a battle between the two squads last year in Las Vegas as they met on Nov. 4 with the Skyhawks claiming the 30-20 victory. NMHU held a 7-3 lead at halftime and were in front 14-13 entering the final quarter when FLC outscored the Cowboys 17-6 over the final 15 minutes to claim the victory.
Jake Lowry completed 10-23 for 84 yards and a score. He also added 33 yards on the ground, with a long rush of 18 yards. PJ Hall led the rushing attack with 61 yards. Brayden Lucero picked up a rushing touchdown, along with 56 total yards on nine carries. Ta'Jon Moody hauled in three passes for 36 yards and a score.
On defense, Darrian Stickney tallied 11 tackles, six solo, along with three tackles for loss and a pass broken up. Isiah Mayberry added 10 tackles, seven solo, along with a pair of tackles for loss and a sack. Dre Cortez and Christian Woo each recorded an interception.
FLC dominated the last meeting in Durango in 2016 rolling to the 52-7 victory. The Skyhawks have won the past three meetings in the series.
As a team last year, FLC ranked high in the RMAC and in the nation in several categories including defensive touchdowns with five, second in the RMAC and eighth in the nation, fifth in fewest penalties per game (6.18), third in fewest penalty yards (659), second in fewest penalty yards per game (59.91), third in first downs allowed (195), third in fumbles lost (6), fifth in fumbles recovered (8), first in net punting (36.64), 21st in the nation, first in passes that were intercepted (6), 18th in the nation, second in passes intercepted (14), 27th in the nation, fifth in passing yards per completion (12.27), fourth in punt return defense (5.92), 37th in the nation, first in red zone offense (.893), 19th in the nation, fourth in rushing defense per game (145.9), fourth in scoring defense (26.2), first in time of possession (33:36), seventh in the nation, third in total defense (372.8), second in turnover margin (0.91), 19th in the nation, fourth in turnovers gained (22) and first in turnovers lost (12), good for 11th in the nation.
Individually, Donell Pleasant III was fourth in the RMAC in interceptions per game (0.4), 50th nationally. Max Peets was third in the nation and 18th nationally in punting average (41.4). Christopher Blanton was first in the conference and 42nd nationally in sacks per game (0.68). Stickney was seventh nationally in solo tackles per game (4.5) and was third in the RMAC and 38th nationally in total tackles per game (9.1).
FLC was second in the conference with five players to be named to the preseason team in Pleasant III, George Marpaung, Blanton, Stickney and Jeffrey Brinkley. FLC was picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll, while NMHU checked in at 11th.
NMHU went 2-9 last year and 1-9 in the RMAC. They started the season off with an upset win at home against Dixie State and then defeated Texas Wesleyan in non-conference action. Rodolph Zleh led the rushing attack ging for 635 yards on 86 carries and seven touchdowns. Dione Alston added six touchdowns on 86 attempts as well and 511 yards. Danny Cameron completed 142-298 for 1,736 yards and 11 touchdowns. Dominique Bierria hauled in 19 passes for 398 yards and five scores. On defense, Jake Harrelson had 67 tackles, with 11 coming solo. Michael Lazarus tied for the team lead in interceptions with two.
Around the RMAC this week includes Western State also opening their season on Friday at Idaho State starting at 6:30 p.m. The rest of the slate will kickoff Saturday with Adams State and Colorado Mines up first from Golden at noon. South Dakota Mines will visit Colorado Mesa at 1 p.m., Dixie State will play at CSU-Pueblo starting at 6 p.m. and Black Hills State will play a 6:30 p.m. game at Chadron State.
Live video and stats will be available for the game. Following the game against NMHU, FLC will hit the road for two straight weeks traveling to Utah to face Dixie State and then to Nebraska to go against Chadron State.
