PUEBLO, Colo. (November, 29, 2014) – The Colorado State University-Pueblo football team recorded a decisive 52-14 victory Saturday against Angelo State University in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

The No. 8 ThunderWolves, who entered as the No. 2 seed, used a pair of two-play scoring drives to own a 14-0 lead early against the No. 23 Rams, the No. 6 seed, and never looked back. The Pack scored in all facets of the game with five offensive touchdowns and a field goal, a defensive fumble recovery for a touchdown that opened the third quarter and a 90-yard punt return for a score by senior Stephan Dickens (CB, Aurora, Colo.). 

Angelo State totaled 86 plays to the home team's 63, but the Pack out-gained the Rams 425-327. The 52 points marked the second time this season the team has posted 52 points, gaining a 52-3 victory at Colorado Mesa University (Nov. 8).

The victory moved CSU-Pueblo's NCAA Playoff record to 2-3 and advanced the Pack to the quarterfinals for the second time in three years. The ThunderWolves will host Ohio Dominican University, Dec. 6 at noon at the Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl. Tickets go on sale beginning at 9 a.m., Monday at the Massari Arena Ticket Office and online at www.gothunderwolves.com.

The return of senior wide receiver Paul Browning (Widefield, Colo.) boosted the ThunderWolves offense, as he totaled 99 yards and a touchdown on two receptions during the first two scoring drives. The yardage pushed his career total to 2,331 yards, establishing the CSU-Pueblo career record for receiving yards. Browning, who was playing in just his fifth game of the season, finished with 152 yards on eight receptions and two touchdowns.

It was just another day at the office for junior running back Cameron McDondle (Littleton, Colo.), as he totaled 167 yards on 16 carries (10.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. The effort marked the ninth straight game McDondle totaled more than 100 yards.

Senior quarterback Chris Bonner (San Diego, Calif.) was an efficient 15-for-27 (55.5%) for 242 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He posted his season-long pass in a first quarter 82-yard connection with Browning to set up the Pack's second touchdown.

Again, one of the top defenses in the nation came to play, as the ThunderWolves allowed a first quarter touchdown, but didn't give up another score until the fourth quarter. Angelo State established new program records in yards per game (482.6 ypg) and points per game (41.7 ppg) this season, but could only muster 327 yards and 14 points against a Pack defense that ranked third in the nation in scoring defense and 10th nationally in total defense.

CSU-Pueblo recorded three interceptions (entered the game leading Division II in picks) and returned them 88 yards. The Pack also forced and recovered a fumble, which was returned 13 yards to the end zone by sophomore Seth Brown (Colorado Springs, Colo.) for his second touchdown of the season (49-yard interception return for a touchdown). The ThunderWolves now have seven defensive touchdowns on the season (entered the game second nationally in defensive scores). CSU-Pueblo has forced three or more turnovers in nine of its 12 games in 2014 and is 34-3 since 2008 when doing so.

Senior Darius Allen (Pueblo, Colo.), who was named a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award earlier this week, totaled eight tackles (six solo), two sacks (-18 yards), three tackles for loss (-19 yards), two quarterback hurries and forced the fumble that set up Brown's touchdown.

Big plays defined the victory, as the first play of scrimmage was a McDondle rush for 58 yards to set up a 17-yard connection between Bonner and Browning – his first reception of the game. Later in the quarter, Browning's catch and run of 82 yards went down to the Angelo State one-yard line.

Junior kicker Greg O'Donnell (Moument, Colo.) converted on a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter to move the score to 17-7. Dickens' 90-yard return came with 1:01 left in the half to push the lead to 24-7. Before the half was over, senior C.J. Roberts' (CB, Boynton Beach, Fla.) seventh interception of the season allowed the Pack offense to take over at the ASU-22 yard line and go four plays to the end zone, as Bonner floated a pass to Browning in the corner of the end zone for a seven-yard score and a 31-7 halftime lead.

Allen's forced fumble allowed Brown to pick up the ball and trot into the end zone and the Pack led 38-7 just seconds into the second half.

A 22-yard touchdown reception by junior running back J.B. Mathews (Aurora, Colo.) added to the scoring, then the final big play came from McDondle, as he rushed 72 yards to the end zone for his longest rush of the season. The score allowed the Pack to own a 52-7 lead heading into the final frame.

Angelo State scored with 12:59 left in the quarter, but that would be the end of the scoring in the blowout victory.

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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.