PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - April 20, 2013) - CSU-Pueblo's candidates to become the next starting quarterback may have been the main attraction at the 2013 Spring Game Saturday, but it was defense that stole the show as the Blue Team defeated the Red Team 28-14.

Fans were eager to get a look at the Pack quarterbacks given a shot take over the reins behind center, and based on the reps taken Saturday, three are being given solid looks.

Chris Bonner (Jr., San Diego, Calif.), a transfer from Grossmont Junior College in California, took the majority of the snaps for the Blue Team and played a big role in leading them to victory.  He showed good touch in throwing two touchdown passes, the first a 37-yard strike to Josh Sandoval (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.) and the second a pretty floater to tailback Chris Ashe (So., Colorado Springs, Colo.), who converted the longest play of the day in scoring on a 74-yard pass from Bonner.  Ashe broke wide open after a defender fell down on the coverage.  It was his second touchdown of the day, his first coming on a 3-yard run early in the second quarter.

While Bonner was keying a 21-point second quarter for the Blue Team as an almost strictly pocket passer, Brode McDonald (So., Fort Collins, Colo.) took the opposite approach.  He tried to make lots of things happen with his feet, and was successful on a number of occasions.  His Red Team scored the first points of the day, an 11-yard toss to Brandon Mosley (RFr., Fontana, Calif.), as they took a 7-0 lead with 4:19 left in the first quarter.

In addition, the Red Team also saw Aaron Rosipalja (RFr., Castle Rock, Colo.) get substantial time under the center, his biggest play coming on a 40-yard quarterback run that set up a third-quarter score by tailback Cameron McDondle (So., Littleton, Colo.).

Despite all the focus on the quarterbacks, it was the defense, specifically each team's defensive line, that stole the show.

Though no official stats were kept, both teams combined to record approximately 10 sacks as quarterbacks were forced to improvise all day long.  Neither defense could get much going in the way of takeaways, though, as only one combined interception was recorded.

The game concluded the spring season for CSU-Pueblo as the squad will break for summer conditioning before returning to Fall Camp in August.

SPRING FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS

Billy Baker Award (Top DB) - Nick Henderson
Scott Elizondo Award (Top Scholar Athlete) - Justin LaBorde
Mark DeRose Award (Top OLB) - Joe Rosenbrock
Dan DeRose Award (Top ILB) - Ryan Cummings
Craig Ward Award (Top DL) - Tony Campton
Mick McCall Award (Top QB) - Chris Bonner
Bob Rawlings Award (Most Improved) - Jarred Radebaugh
Herman Heard Award (Top RB) - Cameron McDondle
John Trahan Award (Top WR) - Josh Sandoval
Joe Pannunzio Award (Leadership) - Paul Browning
Jeff England Award (Top OL) - Drew Swartz
Corey Tolle Award (Top Teammate - Voted by Players) - Paul Browning