D2-CFB Game Preview: Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds (0-1) vs. Colorado Mesa Mavericks (0-1)

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Venue & Game Details

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. MDT

Venue: Stocker Stadium, Grand Junction, Colorado

Broadcast: RMAC Network (video), KSEL Country 105.9 FM (radio), live stats via GoEasternAthletics.com

Weather Forecast

Conditions: Mostly clear skies into the evening

Temperature at Kickoff: ~81°F (27°C)

Wind: 5–8 mph from the southwest

Impact: Comfortable early-fall football weather; thin air at ~4,600 ft elevation could slightly boost kicking and deep passing game.

Injury & Availability Report

Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds

Questionable: RB1 Xavier Johnson (ankle soreness) — led team in rushing in 2024

Out: None reported

Notable: QB Chad Ragle healthy after 168 passing yards and 2 TDs in Week 1; WR Gerry Gomez (4 rec, 94 yds, 2 TDs) is the top target

Colorado Mesa Mavericks

Questionable: WR2 (hamstring tightness)

Out: None reported

Notable: QB Liu Aumavae threw for 192 yards and 2 TDs in Week 1 loss to #18 Central Washington

Recent Form & Trends

Eastern New Mexico: Started strong in Week 1, forcing 3 turnovers and taking a 10–0 lead, but couldn’t stop NMHU’s second-half rushing attack. Offense posted 228 rushing yards and 200 passing yards, with explosive plays from Gomez and Dalton Flowers.

Colorado Mesa: Faced a tough ranked opponent in Central Washington, falling 41–14. Aumavae connected on two TD passes, but the defense struggled to contain CWU’s balanced attack.

Series History

All-Time Series: Colorado Mesa leads 2–1

Last Meeting: 2024 — Eastern New Mexico won 36–33 in overtime in Portales, NM

Trend: Each of the last two meetings has been decided by one score, suggesting a competitive matchup.

Key Player Matchups

QB Chad Ragle & WR Gerry Gomez (ENMU) vs. CMU Secondary – Gomez’s big-play ability will test a Mavericks defense that gave up multiple explosive passes in Week 1.

QB Liu Aumavae (CMU) vs. ENMU Pass Rush – Aumavae must get the ball out quickly against a Greyhounds front that forced 3 turnovers last week.

ENMU Ground Game vs. CMU Front Seven – ENMU’s committee approach (8 players with carries in Week 1) could wear down CMU if they can control tempo.

Betting Trends

Eastern New Mexico is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 road games.

Colorado Mesa is 6-1 SU in its last 7 home openers.

The Over has hit in 3 of the last 4 meetings between these teams.

Game Odds

Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds             54.5

Colorado Mesa Mavericks                           – 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025