Reports: Mountaineers Set Massive Attendance Record in Win Over Mustangs

GUNNISON, Colo. — The grand opening of the renovated Mountaineer Bowl at The Rady Family Sports Complex made for a memorable day, as the 15th-ranked Mountaineers secured a thrilling 38-33 win over Midwestern State (Texas) in non-conference football. This victory also set a new attendance record of 2,603 for an event at the Bowl.

The renovations introduced lighting, enabling the Mountaineer football team to host its first home night game.

Drew Nash contributed significantly to the offense with a touchdown run and two touchdown passes, while linebacker Kendall Lightfoot, a second-team selection for the 2024 D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List, made a pivotal pick-six and a sack.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mountaineers scored on their first three possessions, including a stunning 68-yard touchdown run by Nash. However, the visiting Mustangs answered back with two scores in the second quarter, taking a 24-21 lead into halftime.

The momentum shifted back to Western after the break, starting with a nine-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Nash to Caden Measner. Almost immediately after the next kickoff, Lightfoot intercepted a Sean Jastrab pass at the 20-yard line and returned it for a touchdown, just 18 seconds after Measner’s score.

A 17-yard field goal by Adam Tasei on the Mountaineers’ next possession extended the lead to 38-24. The Mustangs attempted a comeback with a field goal at the end of the third and a touchdown that brought them within five points with under five minutes left.

Western’s offense struggled down the stretch, giving MSU the ball back with 2:46 remaining. The Mustangs moved to the Mountaineer 29-yard line but turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth-down pass.

BOWL ME OVER
This game was not only a Whiteout—where Western donned its away white uniforms for its inaugural home night game—but also a Burst the Bowl event, which successfully surpassed the previous attendance record of 2,589 set on November 2, 2014.

Nash’s 68-yard TD run topped his previous long of 62 from last season at South Dakota Mines. The Mountaineers managed only 47 rushing yards aside from Nash’s impressive run, but their passing game thrived with 289 yards. Daniel Parsek led receivers with six catches for 79 yards, while Measner and running back Braeden Hogan each caught one of Nash’s touchdown passes.

Conversely, Midwestern State, which relied heavily on its running game in its season opener, struggled on the ground against the Mountaineers, accumulating just 45 rushing yards but passing for 395 yards. The Mustangs also made a spectacular play with a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown by Jaiden Burnett following Western’s third touchdown of the first half.

Kaden Stewart stood out defensively for the Mountaineers with a game-high nine tackles, along with forcing and recovering a fumble. Lightfoot, Stewart, and Cy Shope each recorded a sack, contributing to the team’s nine tackles for loss totaling 28 yards.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers are headed out on the road for their next matchup, traveling to Canyon, Texas, for a non-conference game against West Texas A&M on September 14.