Las Vegas, New Mexico - New Mexico Highlands University celebrated Senior Day with a 42-34 victory over Adams State University on Saturday afternoon at Sanchez Family Stadium in historic Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Sophomore quarterback Collin Stucki threw four touchdown passes, while Owen Smith accounted for five touchdowns as the Cowboys rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to snap a five-game losing streak.

New Mexico Highlands improved to 4-6 overall and 2-6 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, while Adams State fell to 0-10 overall and 0-8 in conference action.

The Cowboys rolled up 568 yards of total offense, including 288 yards on the ground, while recording 31 first downs. Stucki completed 22 of 27 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns while adding 96 rushing yards. Smith rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries and caught four passes for 55 yards and three scores.

New Mexico Highlands opened the scoring on its first possession when Stucki connected with Smith on a 16-yard touchdown pass. Adams State responded with 11 unanswered points before Stucki found Smith again, this time from five yards out, to give the Cowboys a 14-11 advantage late in the opening quarter.

The teams traded scores throughout the second period. After Adams State regained the lead, Stucki connected with Brian Spotwood II on an 18-yard touchdown pass to put New Mexico Highlands ahead 21-18. The Grizzlies answered with a pair of field goals in the final two minutes to take a 24-21 lead into halftime.

Adams State extended its advantage to 31-21 early in the third quarter on a 25-yard touchdown run by quarterback Frank Arcuri. New Mexico Highlands answered with a seven-play, 64-yard drive capped by Smith's one-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 31-28.

The Cowboys took control in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points. Smith broke free for a 27-yard touchdown run with 10:04 remaining to give New Mexico Highlands a 35-31 lead. Stucki and Smith then connected for their third touchdown of the afternoon, a 31-yard strike with 4:14 remaining that extended the advantage to 42-31.

Adams State added a late field goal, but the Cowboys held on to secure the eight-point victory in their final home appearance of the season.

Spotwood II led the New Mexico Highlands receiving corps with seven receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, while Giovanni Ribalta added three catches for 47 yards.

Defensively, Alexandre Serrano and Damon Mayberry each recorded five tackles for the Cowboys. Mayberry and Kaleb Sells each recovered a fumble, while Ian Fishburn, LaCarlos McGee III, Dontaivious Nelson and Cooper Valencia recorded tackles for loss.

Arcuri led Adams State with 212 passing yards and 76 rushing yards, scoring twice on the ground. Andre Branch added 81 rushing yards and a touchdown.

New Mexico Highlands converted five of seven third-down opportunities and averaged 8.5 yards per offensive play. The Cowboys' defense limited Adams State to 384 total yards, including 212 through the air.

Saturday's contest also marked the final home appearance for the Cowboys' seniors, who were recognized prior to kickoff as part of Senior Day presented by Quality Care.

Notes

• New Mexico Highlands has won three consecutive meetings against Adams State, including a 49-10 victory in Alamosa last season.
• Collin Stucki has thrown nine touchdown passes over his last two games, including five against Colorado Mesa and four against Adams State.
• The Cowboys have scored 98 points over their last two games, averaging 49 points per contest.
• New Mexico Highlands finished the 2026 home schedule with a 3-2 record at Sanchez Family Stadium, recording victories over Eastern New Mexico, Black Hills State and Adams State.