PUEBLO, Colo. (December 13, 2014) – Zach Boyd's (R-Fr., Fort Lupton, Colo.) go-ahead 38-yard touchdown reception with 9:47 remaining in the fourth quarter propelled the Colorado State University-Pueblo football team (12-1, 8-1 RMAC) to a 10-7 victory over the University of West Georgia (12-2, 5-2 Gulf South Conference) in the semifinals of the Division II playoffs at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl.
With the victory, CSU-Pueblo advances to the NCAA Division II Championship game for the first time in program history. The ThunderWolves will face Minnesota State University, Mankato at Sporting Field in Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 20 at 2:00 p.m. (MST). The game will be aired live on ESPN2.
Trailing 7-3, the Pack put together the game-winning drive on their second possession of the fourth quarter. After back-to-back runs of 13 and 14 yards by Cameron McDondle (Jr., Littleton, Colo.), CSU-Pueblo had the ball first-and-10 at the Wolves' 38 yard line. On first down, McDondle lined up in the "wildcat" formation and received the snap. The junior handed the ball off to his brother Bernard McDondle (Fr., Littleton, Colo.), who was coming in motion on the snap. Bernard McDondle immediately tossed the ball back to quarterback Chris Bonner (Sr., San Diego, Calif.) who found a wide open Boyd for the 38-yard touchdown.
CSU-Pueblo's defense was the story of the game as the Pack held West Georgia to 26 points below their season average. Coming into the game, the Wolves ranked 19th in the nation in rushing offense with 231.6 yards per game, while the ThunderWolves ranked 14th in the nation in rush defense allowing an average of 100.8 yards per game. West Georgia finished the game with 156 yards on the ground and 210 yards passing.
The Pack finished the game with six sacks, eight tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception and eight pass breakups. Jarrod Lacy (Sr. S, Boynton Beach, Fla.) led CSU-Pueblo with 11 tackles, including one sack. Darius Allen (Sr., Pueblo, Colo) recorded a game-high two sacks and three tackles for loss.
Offensively, the Pack finished with 92 yards rushing and 157 yards passing. Cameron McDondle recorded 83 yards on the ground on 19 carries, snapping a streak of 10 straight games in which the junior gained 100 yards or more. Bonner completed 10-of-25 pass attempts for 157 yards and one touchdown.
On the first drive of the game for the ThunderWolves, junior kicker Greg O'Donnell (Jr., Monument, Colo.) capped a 14-play, 68-yard drive with a 24-yd field goal to put the ThunderWolves in the lead, 3-0, with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter.
Five minutes later, West Georgia scored its only touchdown of the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Dallas Dickey to Shaq Hall. The touchdown came on the heels of a 10-play, 75-yard drive which consumed 4:52 on the game clock, putting the Wolves in front, 7-3.
In the middle of the second quarter, West Georgia looked to add to its lead, driving deep into ThunderWolves' territory. CSU-Pueblo's defense held strong, holding the Wolves' to a 25-yard field goal attempt which was blocked by defensive lineman Josh Bredl (Sr., Thornton, Colo.). Bredl's block kept the score at 7-3 in favor of West Georgia heading into the halftime break.
The score remained 7-3 until the ThunderWolves' trick play put them in front 10-7 with 9:47 left in the contest.
On the ensuing possession, West Georgia moved the ball down the field, advancing it all the way to the 13 yard line of CSU-Pueblo. On third down and five yards to go, Dickey lofted a pass toward the endzone, but LeVon Floyd (Boynton Beach, Fla.) stepped in front of the receiver for the interception.
The ThunderWolves' defense had to make one more stand in the waning minutes of the game. On fourth-and-27, West Georgia's last pass attempt was broken up by Harrison Hunter (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.), preserving the first-ever semifinal victory for CSU-Pueblo.
-30-
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
