PUEBLO, Colo. (October 21, 2017) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo football returned to playing "Pack Football" Saturday when they posted a 49-0 home victory against Black Hills State University in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference contest at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl.

The ThunderWolves (6-2, 6-1 RMAC) totaled five takeaways, which included four interceptions, two of which went for touchdowns. On the flip side, CSU-Pueblo took care of the ball and its opportunities, as the Pack didn't turn the ball over and totaled five touchdowns. 

Darius Williams (Jr., CB, Gilbert, Ariz.) totaled two interceptions to push his season total to six, while he recorded his third pick six of the season. The score went for 35 yards, but his partner in crime, sophomore corner Emery Taylor (Aurora, Colo.) was not to be outdone. He also pulled down two interceptions and returned one for 46 yards, the third defensive score of his career. 

Junior running back Marché Dennard (Phoenix, Ariz.) totaled 92 yards with three rushing touchdowns of 11, 21 and 15 yards. He moved his season total to 12 rushing touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Rex Dausin (San Antonio, Texas) threw for 157 yards on 14-of-24 (58.3%) passing and a touchdown. Freshman signal caller Gunnar Lamphere (Aurora, Colo.) threw went 7-for-8 (87.5%) for 58 yards and a score. The two combined to connect with 10 different receivers. Senior Osha Washington (Stockton, Calif.) totaled five receptions for 62 yards. 

Linebacker Kyle Rosenbrock (So., Brush, Colo.) led the team with eight tackles (three solo) and a half tackle for loss. Senior Josh Croy (DL, Littleton, Colo.) posted six tackles (three solo), which included a sack for a loss of eight yards. He gathered 1.5 tackles for loss (-9). 

In addition to the two interceptions, Williams totaled two tackles (one solo), which included one for a seven yard loss, and two break-ups. 

The defense allowed just 119 yards, 38 of which came on the ground, to a team averaging 423 yards of offense and 187.4 yards rushing. The Yellow Jackets totaled just four first downs, were just 3-for-13 on third downs (one in the first half), ran 25 less plays and held the ball for 17 less minutes than the ThunderWolves. 

The Pack offensive average starting position was practically midfield at their own 46, while BHSU was forced to start on its own 17. 

CSU-Pueblo scored five touchdowns in the matter of 15 minutes of game clock between the middle of the 1st and 2nd quarters to open the 35-0 lead, which they held at halftime. Williams' score got it started, then on the next Pack offensive drive, the home team traveled 80 yards on 10 plays, capped by a Dennard 11-yard run. 

Taylor's pick six came in the opening minutes of the second quarter to make it 21-0. Later in the frame, a great punt return by Kevin Ribarich (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.) set up the offense at the 21 yard line and two plays later Dennard was in the end zone again. Williams' second interception set up a five-play, 20-yard drive that saw Lamphere connect with senior tight end Aaron Eckhoff (Dallas, Texas) for a seven yard strike. 

The first touchdown of the second half was set up by a fumble recovery at the BHSU 20 and just two plays later Dennard was in the paint for the third time. The final score was an eight-play, 68-yard drive capped by a Dausin three yard connection with Josh Smith (Jr., WR, Everett, Wash.). The score was Smith's team-leading fifth of the season. 

PACK BITES

• CSU-Pueblo is now 6-0 all-time against Black Hills State and have never scored less than 42 points in those six meetings. 

• CB Darius Williams entered the contest leading the league in interceptions with four, which ranked T-9th nationally.

• The Pack defense now has 14 interceptions and five fumble recoveries on the season. The team has four interceptions for scores this season and have totaled 32 since the restart in 2008. The most in a season is five by the 2010 and 2014 squads. 

• RB Marché Dennard entered the game with nine rushing scores, which ranked 17th nationally. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry and entered the contest posting 8.3 yards per rush to rank third in NCAA Division II.

• Streak Snapped: K Mitchell Carter was a perfect 7-for-7 on field goals this season until he missed a 38-yarder in the fourth quarter. He remains perfect on extra point attempts, going 42-of-42.

• Since 2008, CSU-Pueblo improved to 50-0 when scoring more than 35 points and 37-0 when holding its opponent to 10 points or less.

NEXT

The ThunderWolves close the home portion of the regular season Saturday, Oct. 28 when they entertain Western State Colorado Univeristy at 2 p.m. at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl. The game serves as Military Appreciation Day and Senior Day. 

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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