Kris Means has looked forward to playing in a college football game for two years now.
Thursday night, he’ll finally get that chance.
The Grand Junction High School graduate and Iowa State University transfer will start at fullback Thursday night for No. 23 Mesa State College against No. 10 West Texas A&M in each team’s season opener at Stocker Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
“I can’t wait to get back on the field at Stocker and play there again,” Means said. “I can’t wait to play in front of a crowd.”
It will be Means’ first official game since Grand Junction played ThunderRidge for the Class 4A state title at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in December 2005.
He received a lot of Division I scholarship offers, but decided on Iowa State University because of its chemical engineering program. He redshirted his first year, but coach Dan McCarney was fired after a 3-9 season. Gene Chizik replaced him and brought in new coaches and a new system. That left Means on the sidelines again.
After the season, Chizik realized Means wasn’t going to fit in the program and granted the Grand Junction All-State player his release.
Several Colorado schools were interested in Means, but only one place made sense — Mesa State — not only because it was home, but because of coach Joe Ramunno and the program’s success last season.
“I knew there would be a lot of good guys here with Phil Vigil and Bobby Coy,” Means said. “They are great guys and good leaders. We have a great shot at playing a lot longer (this season) and making the playoffs.
“I knew I’d be around guys that were leaders here. I want to help out with it. I felt this was a good fit for me.”
Means joined the team for summer workouts and immediately felt welcome.
“It’s been great,” Means said. “The guys welcomed me with open arms. We get after each other. Bobby expects the best of me. It’s great to have guys like that around.”
It’s also been some hard work.
Means is learning his third offense in as many years, but Ramunno is pleased with his learning curve.
“He’s come in here and gone to work,” Ramunno said. “He started back in the summer working out with the guys. He’s a smart young man and has been great for team morale.”
Coy (5-foot-9, 190 pounds), a preseason All-RMAC tailback, is excited to have Means (6-1, 250) in front of him.
“Having Kris bringing Division I experience to the table always helps,” Coy said. “He has the body of a fullback. It should be easy for me to hide behind him.
“Having Kris and Zach (Belloni) in that offense is like putting in another lineman. We can also utilize them as receiving targets. Fullbacks play a large role. They are as important as any player in the offense.”
Means, who was a tailback in high school, will not only be able to open up holes for Coy, he’ll be able to run and catch the ball for the Mavericks out of the backfield.
“Being a former running back, he has great skills,” Ramunno said. “He is very athletic for a big guy. We’ll rely on him quite a bit.”
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E-mail Allen Gemaehlich at Allen.Gemaehlich@gjsentinel.com.
