The Colorado Mesa University Football team’s 2017 season came to a close against Azusa Pacific on the road 56-35 this past weekend. Mesa was hoping to receive a spot in the Division 2 Football Playoff but it didn’t happen. Mesa ended the season at 9-2. Let’s take a look back at their season.
Mesa was picked to finish second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) behind CSU-Pueblo in the preseason poll. Mesa rolled past Western State and Chadron State to open up the season.
The third game against Colorado School of Mines was one they could have lost. Mesa was up 35-24 with 7:43 left. With that lead the game looked over but nobody told that to Mines. Mines scored 12 straight points and was ahead 38-36 with 23 seconds remaining in the game. It was all but over. Mesa received the ball back and started at their own 18-yard line. Quarterback Eystin Salum found Peter Anderson for 68-yards. Mines left him wide open in the middle of the field. That set up Ryan Sheehan’s 33-yard field goal with no time left to lift Mesa over Mines 38-36, keeping them undefeated.
Mesa drummed Fort Lewis 40-14, setting up a showdown against CSU-Pueblo. This was a close game but unfortunately Mesa was outscored in the 4th quarter 10-0 and fell 30-24. That made the Mavs’ record at the time 4-1. Mesa ended up winning the next 4 games.
All Mesa had to do to earn a share of the RMAC Title was to beat South Dakota Mines. It would give them their third straight RMAC Football Title. Mesa took care of business with a 69-7 triumph.
Mesa needed a victory over Azusa Pacific to secure a spot in the Division 2 Football Playoff. A loss and they would play the waiting game. The game was tied heading into the 4th quarter at 35. Azusa Pacific outscored Mesa 21-0 in the quarter. They lost 56-35 ending their season. Mesa was left out of the playoffs.
Mesa has a lot to be proud of this year. They went 9-1 in RMAC play and 9-2 overall. Mesa also shared the RMAC Title with CSU-Pueblo since the RMAC doesn’t use tiebreakers. The only goal that wasn’t accomplished was a Division 2 Football Playoff birth. In most years a 9-2 record is enough, but not true this year. A 10-1 finish is what they needed. Head Coach Russ Martin has to be proud of what this team did. They can hold their heads up high. Next season the focus needs to be a playoff birth or bust.
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