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National Ranking Summaries/Statistics: West Texas A&M  |  CSU-Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Nov. 24, 2012) - CSU-Pueblo will remain at home as it pushes for its first ever national semifinal berth against a very familiar foe, facing West Texas A&M for the third time in two seasons on Saturday, Dec. 1 at noon.

The top-ranked ThunderWolves, advancing to the national quarterfinals for the second time in school history, will host the rematch after posting a 28-7 win over the 18th-ranked University of Indianapolis Greyhounds Nov. 24. 

Like CSU-Pueblo, West Texas A&M will advance to the national quarterfinals for the first time in school history after scoring an upset over 4th-ranked Ashland 33-28.  The Buffaloes will play its third straight playoff game on the road and make its second trip to the Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl this season.  CSU-Pueblo and West Texas A&M opened the season against one another with the ThunderWolves emerging victorious, 44-34. 

West Texas A&M, Super Region 4's sixth-seed, are led by Harlon Hill Trophy (top Division II player) finalist, quarterback Dustin Vaughan, who has thrown for over 3,800 yards and 38 touchdowns this season.  When the Buffaloes aren't torching opponents through the air, they rely on the running of probable All-American, Khiry Robinson, who ranked 13th in the nation with 125 yards per game and 1,250 yards on the ground total.  In the opening round of the playoffs against Chadron State, Robinson ran for 235 yards and three scores. 

Of note, Robinson will start for the Buffs next Saturday, though he did not see the field in the season-opener at CSU-Pueblo.

Defensively, the Buffaloes are certainly no slouch, leading the nation in sacks with nearly four sacks per game and ranking 41st in the nation in total defense (345 yards allowed per game).  In its two playoff wins, the Buffs allowed an average of 410 yards per game but rode its explosive offense to the win. 

Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at noon at the Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl in Pueblo.  Tickets for the game, going for $10 for reserved seating, $7 for "Thunder Hill" and free limited student seating, are available by contacting the CSU-Pueblo Ticket Office at (719) 549-2050 or by visiting www.csupueblobookstore.com.  The Ticket Office will open at 8 a.m. Monday and be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that West Texas A&M fans are encouraged to contact the ticket office to sit in special visiting fan seating.