Quarterback Jorge Hernandez sneaks out to the edge on a keeper during last years Musket Game. Hernandez finished with 313 yards passing and a touchdownQuarterback Jorge Hernandez sneaks out to the edge on a keeper during last years Musket Game. Hernandez finished with 313 yards passing and a touchdown

 ALAMOSA – Adams State University football team heads to Durango this Saturday at noon to take on Fort Lewis College in the annual Musket Game. The game will feature the prolific Grizzly offense against the stout Skyhawk defense in what will be an important clash of conference foes.
 

The Grizzlies offense has been on fire, putting up 500 yards of passing and 51 points last weekend while securing the Colorado Classic trophy. Led by RMAC Offensive Player of the Week Nick Rooney, the Grizzlies have the third-best offense in all of Division II. With that they are third in passing offense in the nation and sixth in scoring offense. This might be intimidating for most foes, but for the Skyhawks it's just another test. The team is the seventh-best third-down defense in the nation and the 39th-best redzone defense.
 Rooney's 506 yards passing last weekend was the second-most in school history and the most in the Division II era for a Grizzly. Joining in the success was Marquese Surrell, who tied the school record for receptions in a game with 13. His 209 receiving yards is third in school history and the most a Grizzly receiver has had since the team joined Division II. Chad Hovasse also added to his career, securing his second three-touchdown performance.
 

The Skyhawks are 1-1 on the season, with a loss to Chadron and a victory over Black Hills State University. Fort Lewis held Black Hills to just 165 yards on the ground and Chadron to 101. In the win against the Yellowjackets the Skyhawks allowed just 189 yards through the air as well.
 

On the other side of the ball though, the Skyhawks have pounded the ball 101 times on the ground in two games. Despite the heavy carry count, the team has only had 342 rushing yards. The passing game is ironically non-existent for the Skyhawks, having only competed 11 passes this season.
 

Though the Grizzly defense that has 21 pass breakups this season won't see the passing game as much, the Grizzlies are ready for the ground game. The team has nine tackles for loss on the season and is riding the coattails of RMAC Defensive Player of the Week Garrett Jackson. Jackson had 16 tackles in the win over Western State, helping hold the Mountaineers to just 151 yards rushing on 40 carries.
 

The Springfield .45-70 military issue rifle that serves as the traveling trophy between Fort Lewis College and Adams State University was donated in 1966 to the two athletic departments by Mahlon "Butch" White, who was involved with the First National Banks in both Alamosa and Durango, in memory of William White. The rifle is to be retained by the winning school at their annual football game. Traditionally, seniors from the winning team get to fire the rifle at the conclusion of the game.