#13 Eastern Arizona Rumbles Over #17 Mesa in 49-26 Rout

Mesa, AZ - The Mesa Thunderbirds went from the highest of highs after beating Arizona Western last weekend down in Yuma to the lowest of lows this weekend as they lost to Eastern Arizona College, 49-26.

Ground and pound is the name of the game for the Gila Monsters and has been for years, with this year being no different.  Using two different quarterbacks, the Gila Monsters used the option game to dismantle the T-Bird defense, especially in the second half.

Mesa played with Eastern throughout the first half, getting two touchdown passes from quarterback Thomas MacVittie, connecting with Trevor Russell and Tylon Patterson.  Terrance Roberts Jr continued his dominance on the ground as he collected the third touchdown for Mesa just before halftime.  Mesa trailed by just two, 21-19, heading into halftime.

The T-Birds took the lead, 26-21, to begin the second half as MacVittie connected with Shaun Richards on a roll out pass to his right.  That would be the final points Mesa would get though the rest of the night.  The next four touchdowns went Eastern Arizona's way, three on the offensive side of the ball and one interception return for a touchdown to finish the game with 1:04 to play in the fourth.

Mesa drops to 3-2 on the season and will travel to Snow College in Ephraim, UT next Saturday.