Billings, Mont. - The Firestorm team fought hard until the end of the game. A surprise onside kick was successfully perfectly executed to steal a possession and scored quickly on the first drive.  However, it wasn't enough to win the game. The offense was rolling with a 10 point lead in the beginning of the game. Early in the second quarter, true freshman Beau Devens was called to step in and he accepted the challenge. The Firestorm run game was flawless at times and it kept the team in the fight. The three true freshman running backs that helped keep Firestorm in the game until the fourth quarter were Jon Wilson, Gabe McDonald and Kale Konen. In the pass game freshman Trey Brown led the team in receptions and in yards to keep the offense balanced and the Battlin' Bears on their toes. 

The Firestorm defense started on a great track with a couple of 'three and out drives' and forcing a field goal in the first quarter. It all unfolded towards the end of the first half. Needing a stop on third down, ACU gave up a touchdown that gave the Bears the lead 14 to 10 to end the half. The defense had moments that showed they can play with anyone in the conference. Junior linebacker Ryan Odom and true freshman strong safety Charlie Neos had a physical game with five tackles and senior corner back Griffin Meier helped the defense with four tackles. The defensive line had a day with senior Ben Strawn leading the way and redshirt sophomore Schuyler Alton following, recording four tackles. The Firestorm defense had opportunities, but did not capitalize on them. 

The turning point in the game was after the Firestorm took the lead, 16-14, Rocky Mountain College scored on the next drive and never relinquished the lead. Following a Firestorm punt, the Bears had an excellent punt return that gave them great field position and momentum. Consequently, Rocky Mountain maintained the momentum through the end of the game.

Offensive Stars

• Devens - 12-22, 106 passing yards, 2 INT, 1 Sack
• Wilson - 13-69 rushing yards, 2 TD,  1-10 receiving yards
• McDonald - 11-57 rushing yards, 1-12 receiving yards
• Konen - 10-51 rushing yards, 1 TD, 1-16 receiving yards
• Brown - 6-44 receiving yards

Defensive Stars

• Odom - 3 solo tackles, 2 assist tackles
• Neos - 2 solo tackles, 3 assist tackles
• Meier - 4 solo tackles
• Strawn - 3 solo tackles, 1 assist tackle, 2 TLF for 5 yards
• Alton - 4 solo tackles, 1 TFL for 1 yard

Inside The Numbers

• Nestor Higuera with a field goal attempt from 29 yards and and extra point after Konen's three yard touchdown, to make the led ACU 10 RMC 0
• Graedyn Buell throws a touchdown pass to Eric Lira for 32 yards and Austin Drake makes the extra point to close the gap ACU 10, RMC 7
• Graedyn Buell completes a touchdown pass to DeNiro Killian Jr. for 17 yards and Austin Drake makes the extra point to take the lead right before halftime. RMC 14, ACU 10
• Both teams scored only one touchdown in the third quarter, but RMC blocked ACU's extra point to end the quarter RMC 21 ACU 16
• RMC scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the game, while ACU score one touchdown and was successful on a two point conversion to make the final score of the game RMC 49 to ACU 24

Thoughts From Coach Bowen 
"We finish the season next week at home for senior day.  I am hoping we can come out and have a performance worthy of sending our seniors with a win."

Up Next
Arizona Christian University will host Simpson College (0-8) for Senior Day next week in Glendale, AZ. Game starts at 1:00pm Arizona Time.

Roll Storm!