CSU-Pueblo 38, Western State 27

PUEBLO, Colo. (Oct. 24, 2009) - Behind a season-high 328 rushing yards, CSU-Pueblo ran all over Western State in the Pack's homecoming game Saturday, downing the Mountaineers 38-27.

CSU-Pueblo used the "ThunderWolf" formation, popularly known as the "Wildcat," countless times to offset Western State's front seven, setting highs in rushing carries and rushing yardage.  Jesse Lewis (So., Loveland, Colo.) was the centerpiece, taking numerous snaps from center and rushing 24 times for 181 yards and three touchdowns - all career highs.  Lewis' backfield mate, Jamaal Johnson (So., Fountain, Colo.), rumbled for 99 yards on 17 carries, and added a touchdown of his own. 

The ThunderWolves jumped ahead 10-0 in the first quarter, its first TD coming on a 34-yard scamper from Lewis.  After Western State scored to make the advantage 10-7, the Pack registered its lone passing touchdown, a pretty individual effort by Demetrius Gilmore (So., Colorado Springs, Colo.) to catch a Colin Clancy (Sr., Longmont, Colo.) pass, hurdling a would-be defender and lunging for a score on a 35-yard pass reception.  The score put the Pack up 17-7.

CSU-Pueblo added a game-changer late in the second quarter, a one-yard touchdown run by Johnson with 28 seconds remaining, which capped a 12-play, 70-yard drive that put the ThunderWolves up 24-14 going into halftime.

A third-quarter score by Lewis on an 11-yard run put the Pack up 31-14, and left Western to only plot a fruitless comeback attempt as the ThunderWolves secured the win.

The win boosts the Pack to 5-4 on the season and 4-3 in RMAC play, tied with Chadron State and Adams State for fourth place in the RMAC standings.  CSU-Pueblo will return to the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl next Saturday when it hosts Western New Mexico in the Pack's Hall of Fame Game.