GUNNISON, Colo. - Austin Ekeler ran for 316 yards and accounted for five touchdowns as Western State defeated #23 Colorado School of Mines 45-31 in Gunnison.

The Orediggers (2-2, 2-2 RMAC) could not stop the potent ground attack of the Mountaineers (3-1, 3-1 RMAC), who racked up 334 yards rushing and 582 total yards of offense.

Justin Dvorak threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another, while Sam Seeton caught one touchdown and ran for one among 76 yards. Brody Oliver led Mines receivers with his fourth straight 100-yard games, catching 129 yards on five receptions with a score.

It was a back and forth game until the fourth quarter, when Ekeler scored three unanswered touchdowns to erase a Mines lead. Mines fell behind 14-3 in the first quarter with Scott Marshall's 37-yard field goal their only points, but Dvorak's 70-yard bomb to Oliver cut the lead to 14-10, and Grant Gale's interception in the Western red zone led to Dvorak's keeper TD at the other end early in the second quarter to give Mines a 17-14 lead. The hosts took the lead before the half on Ekeler's 34-yard touchdown catch.

The Orediggers went on offense to start the third quarter and delivered immediately as Seeton marched them down the field and capped the drive with an eight-yard catch to lead 24-21. Seeton again keyed a third-quarter drive with several big runs, then finished from four yards out to extend the lead to 31-21.

That would be Mines' final points as Western ended the game with 24 unanswered points. Ekeler capped two 3:00+ minute drives with touchdown rushes of 1 and 16 yards, and after a terrific Austin Toussaint punt pinned the Mountainers in the shadow of their own goal posts, Ekeler broke loose for an 88-yard score that all but iced it late in the fourth. Ryan Winke's late 38-yard field goal ended the scoring.

NOTABLES
- Oliver has four straight games of at least 100 yards receiving with a touchdown.
- Brett Arrivey threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 65.2 percent passing for Western State.
- In addition to his rushing total, Ekeler caught two touchdown passes for 49 yards.
- Mines was 0-for-4 on fourth downs.
- Mines did not commit a turnover. Grant Gale's interception in the first half was the game's only giveaway.
- Drake Thenell led all players with 10 tackles. Chris Brockman had nine stops with two for a loss, and Caleb Courkamp also had nine hits.
- Western State put pressure on Dvorak all game, compiling four sacks.

NEXT UP
Mines visits Fort Lewis next Saturday for a noon game.