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Skyhawks Football vs. Arizona Christian
Kaitlyn Silva
Eli Barta (68), Dean Howell (75), and Dominick Barron (66) get set before a snap against the Firestorm on Ray Dennison Memorial Field (Sept. 5, 2026)

Skyhawks welcome Cowboys for RMAC Opener

9/11/2026 12:00:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement
DURANGO, Colo. – Fort Lewis Skyhawks football (1-0) looks to keep rolling this Saturday as the Skyhawks host the Cowboys from New Mexico Highlands University (2-0) for the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener under the lights at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.
 
Game Day Details
Fort Lewis (0-0) vs. New Mexico Highlands University (2-0)
Saturday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m.
Durango, Colo. – Ray Dennison Memorial Field
RMAC Network | Live Stats | Purchase Tickets
 
Tailgating and Canned Food Drive to support Durango Motor Company
Skyhawks fans can tailgate in the Art Lot just outside of the primary east entrance beginning at 4 p.m. This week, Fort Lewis is thrilled to offer half-price beers and $2 hot dogs in the tailgating section, with food proceeds benefiting the Skyhawks softball team, plus line dancing hosted by Blazing Boots. Division I football games will also be livestreamed at the tailgate. Fans are also highly encouraged to bring canned food donations to support the Durango Motor Company food drive to receive $2 off their ticket purchase.
 
Creating Chaos
Fort Lewis' defense was the star in its week one 27-9 win over Arizona Christian University (0-1), holding the Firestorm to just three field goals and 288 yards of total offense despite ACU holding possession for 40:24 of the game. The Skyhawks defense forced four turnovers, including a pair of interceptions from Drennan Dowell and Tailan King, a forced fumble from Kameron Lewis, and a strip-sack from Samuel Ballas. Fort Lewis scored 10 points off turnovers. Trenton Sullivan led all players with 16 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for nine yards lost, while Dowell and Porter Delnoce added another 10 tackles each.  
 
Money Morris
Senior gunslinger Jacob Morris impressed in his 2026 debut, completing 14 of his 23 passes (60.9 percent) for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Morris connected with Solomon Latimer, who totaled two catches for 57 yards, on a 35-yard fade to the left side and again with tight end Michael Collins on a 17-yard pass back across the field to the left side. Fort Lewis went 3-for-3 in the red zone. Morris also matched punter Ethan Kercher as both landed a punt inside-the-20.  
 
Series History
New Mexico Highlands rides into Saturday with a 34-20 lead in the all-time series and the most recent win, 31-14, down in Las Vegas, N.M., last season (Nov. 8). The Cowboys are 1-1 against the Skyhawks under third-year head coach Kurt Taufa'asau, with Fort Lewis winning 44-22 at home back on Nov. 9, 2024. However, NMHU holds the all-time lead 19-9 on Ray Dennison Memorial Field. Taufa'asau is 10-14 overall with a 6-12 mark against conference opponents at New Mexico Highlands.
 
Cowboys on the Run
Simply put, New Mexico Highlands lives on the ground. Through two games, the Cowboys are averaging 347.5 rushing yards per game, totaling 695 of the team's 995 yards of offense this season. Five different Cowboys have rushed for a score, and three have gone for 133 yards or more thus far, but it's sophomore quarterback Jaden Montalvo who's led the way with 190 net yards on 18 carries for an average of 10.6 yards per carry.  Sophomore Ashton Bradford has added 150 yards on 18 carries for 8.3 yards per carry.
 
Senior quarterback Kadyn Parr has thrown for 300 yards and five touchdowns against two interceptions, and made 19 completions in 33 attempts (57.6 percent) thus far. Parr has also scampered for 133 net yards on 21 attempts, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Junior Kerya Powell leads all receivers with two touchdowns on three catches, but Bradford leads the squad in receiving yards with 66 on two catches.
 
Defensively, New Mexico Highlands has allowed opponents to average 503 yards of offense by way of 261.5 yards passing and 241.5 yards rushing. Opponents have converted on 42.9 percent of third downs. The Cowboys have made just 7.0 tackles for a total of 15 yards lost, and have yet to record a sack or force a fumble.
 
Looking Ahead
Fort Lewis will travel to Golden, Colo., next Saturday, Sept. 19, to take on Colorado School of Mines (0-1-1) at Alumni Field at Marv Kay Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. This weekend, the Orediggers will face No. 5/7-ranked Colorado State University Pueblo (2-0).
 
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