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Baylor Seabolt at CSU Pueblo
Antonio Clark/TC Images
Baylor Seabolt (27) talks to his sideline against the ThunderWolves at the CSU Pueblo Thunderbowl (Oct. 11, 2025)

Skyhawks, Firestorm gear up for Blackout game under Saturday night lights

9/4/2026 1:00:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement
DURANGO, Colo. – Fort Lewis football (0-0) will host Arizona Christian University (0-0) for its blackout home opener and the fifth meeting overall between the two teams under the brand-new lights of Ray Dennison Memorial Field this Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. The first 400 fans in attendance can claim a blackout T-shirt at the gates.  
 
Game Details
Fort Lewis (0-0) vs. Arizona Christian (0-0)
Saturday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m.
Durango, Colo. – Ray Dennison Memorial Field
RMAC Network | Live Stats | Purchase Tickets
 
Tailgating
Fort Lewis is excited for the return of pregame tailgating in the Art Lot just outside of the primary east entrance. Tailgating will open two hours before kickoff at 4 p.m. Hosted by Hutton Broadcasting, drinks and food will be available for purchase. In addition, a member of the Skyhawks coaching staff will provide a game preview. Doors to the venue will open 90 minutes before kickoff. Fans are highly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through HomeTown Ticketing.
 
Series History
The Skyhawks and Firestorm have met just four times overall, with Saturday's contest marking the third matchup in Durango, Colo. The series is tied at 2-2. While Arizona Christian won the first two meetings back in 2022 and 2023, the Skyhawks have since taken hold of the series, defeating the Firestorm 17-12 at home back in 2024 and 58-10 last season in Glendale, Ariz.
 
First and Ten
All eyes will be on senior quarterback Jacob Morris, who has retained the starting job after stepping up last season. The Chandler, Arizona native threw for 1,405 yards and seven touchdowns last year, boasting a 57 percent completion percentage on 113 completions. Morris will look to link up with senior wide receiver Zachary Gaumont, who took off for 577 yards and four touchdowns on only 28 receptions. Gaumont was ninth in the conference in receiving yards and averaged 20.6 yards per catch.
 
On the opposite side awaits Solomon Latimer, a rising junior who looks to improve on his 295 yards and three touchdowns on 23 catches. Michael Collins is another big threat over the middle, as the sophomore tight end was lethally efficient with three touchdowns and 122 yards on just eight catches last year.
 
Eyes on the Secondary
Defense has been the Skyhawks' strong suit in recent years, and fifth-year defensive back Trenton Sullivan looks to maintain the status quo. In his last full season in 2024, Sullivan racked up 56 tackles, 10.5 tackles for 48 yards lost, and 7.0 sacks for 37 yards while also nabbing an interception, forcing and recovering a fumble, and breaking up one pass. Fifth-year safety Elijah Portela will aid in the secondary, boasting two interceptions, six pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and 54 tackles last fall. Senior linebacker Aaron Francis will also look to step up and lead the linebacker room, hoping to improve on his 37 tackles, four forced fumbles, 3.5 tackles for 16 yards lost, 2.0 sacks, and five quarterback hurries.
 
Under New Leadership
Arizona Christian enters Saturday's game under the direction of first-year head coach Drew Maddox. The former Louisiana Christian University graduate spent the last four years leading his Alma mater, amassing a 22-16 overall record with a 19-11 record against conference opponents. In his final season in 2023, the Wildcats went 9-2 and 7-1 in conference play, and suffered a first-round exit in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Football Championship Series.
 
The Firestorm in 2025
Last year in Glendale, the Firestorm went 2-8 overall and 1-5 against foes in the Frontier West Conference. Arizona Christian put up 17.1 points per game on an average of 266.8 yards of offense, but surrendered 39.1 points on 441 yards of offense. ACU lived on the ground, rushing for 1,571 of its 2,668 yards of total offense and 15 of its 23 touchdowns. Junior running back Ty Cole returns in 2026, having led the Firestorm with 687 net yards and eight touchdowns on 141 touches.
 
Senior quarterback Josh Bell will likely be under center once more, having thrown for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns on a 52 percent completion percentage last fall. Bell scampered for another 60 yards and two more scores. Leading receiver and junior wideout William Galvan will line up outside, looking to add to his 195 yards and one touchdown on 18 receptions last year.
 
Looking Ahead
Fort Lewis will remain in Durango for another week in preparation for hosting New Mexico Highlands University (2-0) next Saturday, Sept. 12, to begin the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Schedule. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
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