GUNNISON, Colo. - #6/5 Western Colorado remained unbeaten, using a strong second half to overcome Colorado School of Mines 40-17.

The Orediggers (5-3, 3-3 RMAC) led 17-13 at halftime before the Mountaineers (8-0, 6-0 RMAC) turned things around to score 27 unanswered points in the second half. It was the 100th meeting between the two programs.

Joseph Capra threw for 169 yards and a touchdown to Josh Best, while Max Barnes led Mines on the ground with 85 yards and a score. WCU quarterback Drew Nash threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 119 yards and a score, while Quinn Bailey added two more rushing touchdowns and another in the air.

Mines led 10-0 after the first quarter, scoring on a 44-yard Barnes run to start the game, and then converting a 35-yard Preston Kyle field goal in the final minute of the period. The Mountaineers responded with two touchdowns to begin the second quarter, first as Nash found DJ Allen Jr. for a four-yard score, and then an 11-yard pass to Caden Measner to take the lead 13-10 after a missed extra point.

The Orediggers ended the first half on a high note as Best grabbed his first career touchdown, an eight-yard pass from Capra, giving Mines the 17-13 lead at the break.

Western Colorado turned things around in the third quarter, retaking the lead on Bailey's four-yard run before Nash broke loose on a 63-yard touchdown late in the quarter to go ahead 27-17. The fourth quarter was all Mountaineers as they pinned Mines deep multiple times, scoring on both receiving and rushing TDs by Bailey.

NOTABLES
- Jackson Zimmermann had a late interception, only the second of the year thrown by Nash.
- Nick Stone was Mines' leading receiver with 66 yards off six catches. Best had a career-high 62 yards on five balls.
- Lucas LeSieur punted a career-high eight times, averaging 42.9 yards per kick.
- Brock Ewing led the Mines defense with nine tackles, and JJ Lee added six. 

NEXT UP
Mines returns home to host New Mexico Highlands on Nov. 1.