PUEBLO, Colo. (Oct. 17, 2018) - The No. 13 Colorado State University-Pueblo football team hits the to Alamosa, Colorado Oct. 20 for a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference battle with Adams State University. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
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THE GAME
• The Pack rank No. 13 in the AFCA and No. 12 in the D2football.com polls after last week's 36-14 road win at Colorado Mesa, who were receiving votes in the AFCA poll. The ThunderWolves own a 6-1 overall record and a 5-1 mark in RMAC play.
• The Pack close the regular season with four of five games on the road, which started with CMU and continues against Adams State.
• The Grizzlies are 4-3 overall with a 4-3 RMAC record.
• CSU-Pueblo and ASU have a rich history dating back to a 7-7 tie in 1938. The Pack have a 22-10-2 all-time advantage in the series.
• The ThunderWolves have won nine consecutive against the Grizzlies and are 9-1 since the restart, which includes a 5-0 record in Alamosa.
• Last season the Pack won 63-17 in the annual homecoming game. CSU-Pueblo put up 459 yards of offense, which included 227 yards on the ground. The team scored in all three phases of the game, which included a 99-yard interception return by CB Darius Williams and a 35-yard blocked punt return by ILB Kyle Rosenbrock.
• In the 56-12 road win in 2016, the Pack totaled 645 yards, which included 394 yards rushing. The ThunderWolves gathered four turnovers (two fumbles and two interceptions).
SCOUTING THE PACK
• For the second game in a row the ThunderWolves were scored on first, but this time it was on a 65-yard touchdown on the second play of the game.
• The Pack responded and scored 22 straight points before allowing another CMU touchdown. CSU-Pueblo won the fourth 14-0 to post the 36-14 victory.
• On the next eight Maverick possessions after the touchdown, the Pack defense forced five punts and a turnover on downs, recovered a fumble, and produced a safety.
• The ThunderWolves did what they do best and produced four turnovers, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. The Pack rank second in Division II in turnovers gained (23) and turnover margin (+1.71), fourth in interceptions (13), eighth in team passing efficiency defense (96.4) and fifth in fumbles recovered (10).
• The Pack totaled 11.0 tackles for loss (-47 yards) and now lead all of NCAA Division II in team tackles for loss (10.3 TFL per game).
• CSU-Pueblo ran for 195 yards, guided by junior RB Austin Micci, who totaled 107 yards and a touchdown. On 12 carries he recorded an 8.9 yards per carry mark, which was lifted by a long run of 62 yards.
• The Pack rank 12th in rushing with 264.6 yards per game. Senior RB Marché Dennard leads NCAA Division II in rushing yards per carry with 8.8, while Micci is 11th at 6.9.
• Junior ILB Kyle Rosenbrock recorded nine tackles and 1.5 sacks to earn his second straight RMAC Defensive Player of the Week award, while sophomore K Mitchell Carter recorded 10 points, which included a career-long 50-yard FG to earn RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season.
• Senior ILB Brandon Payer leads the RMAC and sits 4th in DII with 2.1 tackles for loss per game (14.5 TFL). He is 5th in the conference in tackles with 9.4 tackles per game (66 tackles).
• Senior DE Michael Wristen has a team-high 6.0 sacks (-30 yards). He ranks T-3rd in the RMAC with 0.86 sacks per game.
• Senior P Tanner Cuda averaged 47.7 yards per punt against the Mavericks and this season ranks 5th nationally with 44.6 punting average.
SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
• Adams State is in 5th place in the RMAC standings with a 4-3 overall and conference record.
• ASU is coming off a snowy 56-42 road loss to South Dakota Mines. The Grizzlies gave up 538 yards rushing, which included 425 and three touchdowns to Connor Silveria. Adams State totaled 456 yards of offense, but allowed 705.
• The Grizzles are 3-0 at home, which includes their last home game Oct. 6 when they handed Chadron State its second conference loss of the season by the score of 65-62.
• QB Nick Rooney threw for five touchdowns in the loss to the Hardrockers and with 27 on the season he leads all of NCAA Division II. Rooney's 2,215 passing yards is 3rd, while the 316.4 yards per game is 4th.
• WR Chad Hovasse is Rooney's favorite target, as he had four touchdowns against South Dakota Mines. Hovasse owns 15 receiving touchdowns this season to rank 2nd in Division II, while his 882 receiving yards ranks 5th nationally.
• The ASU offense is 2nd in the nation in least tackles for loss allowed (2.86 TFLpg), 4th in red zone offense (94.1%), 5th in passing offense (324.7 ypg), 9th in total offense (497.4 ypg) and 11th in scoring (42.6 ppg).
• DB Garrett Jackson had 16 tackles against the Hardrockers and with 73 (42 solo) in 2018 he leads the RMAC.
• On defense the Grizzlies are last in the RMAC in total defense (510.3 ypg allowed) and rushing defense (249.9 ypg allowed).
THE POLLS
• CSU-Pueblo entered 2018 ranked No. 14 in the AFCA and No. 13 D2Football.com polls. The Pack were as high as No. 9 in both polls and currently are at No. 13 in the AFCA and No. 12 in D2Football.com rankings.
• The Pack ranked in the AFCA top 25 for 66 consecutive polls ranging from Sept. 5, 2011 (21st) to Sept. 5, 2016 (19th).
• The ThunderWolves ranked in the top 10 nationally for a NCAA Division II-best 37 straight weeks from Oct. 17, 2011 (eighth) to Oct. 6, 2014 (second).
TEAM NOTES
• The CSU-Pueblo football program and Head Coach John Wristen recorded their 100th victory since the restart of the program in 2008 when they defeated New Mexico Highlands 48-3 Oct. 6. In that span, Wristen owns a 101-24 all-time record. The .808 percentage ranks second among active NCAA Division II coaches (min 5 years).
• Currently in NCAA Division II, the ThunderWolves have the T-4th toughest schedule, as their opponents own a .732 winning percentage (30-11). On the flip side, the Pack's remaining four opponents are 6-22 (.214) with four of those wins coming from Adams State.
• Since 2008, CSU-Pueblo is undefeated when scoring 35 or more points (55-0) and when allowing 10 points or less (40-0).
• Since 2008, the ThunderWolves are 55-11 (.833) at the ThunderBowl.
• The ThunderWolves have eight scoring plays of 65-yards or more and own nine scoring drives of 75 yards or more.
• The ThunderWolves have scored first in four of the first seven games this season (3-1) and since 2008 own a 76-9 record when scoring first.
• The defense hadn't allowed a fourth quarter score in the previous seven regular season games until giving up a touchdown at Mines (Sept. 15). In the last 16 regular season games the team has allowed just 27 points in the final frame, dating back to Sept. 16, 2017.
• The offense totaled nine turnovers in the first three games of the year, but since have coughed up the ball just twice. The defense has created 23 turnovers this season and with a +1.71 turnover margin the Pack sit 2nd nationally in the category.
CSU-PUEBLO POSITION NOTABLES
OFFENSE
• Against Dixie State, the ThunderWolves established a program record with 497 yards on the ground. The previous top three were: 481 against Westminster in 1977, 435 yards against Western New Mexico, Oct. 31, 2009 and last season's 405 rushing yards against New Mexico Highlands.
• With 264.6 yards rushing per game, the ThunderWolves rank No. 12 in NCAA Division II.
• The Pack are racking up the yards by committee. Marché Dennard owns 606 yards on 69 carries with eight touchdowns. Austin Micci has also carried a load due to the injuries of Dennard and Bernard McDondle. Micci adds 497 yards (71 ypg) and six touchdowns on a team-high 72 carries. In four games, McDondle has 222 yards rushing with three touchdowns and 74 yards receiving with a score. R-Fr. Marcus Lindsay adds 204 yards and two scores.
• Dennard's 8.78 yards per carry ranks 1st in NCAA Division II. He sits 24th in yards per game (101.0) and rushing TDs. Micci is 11th nationally with 6.9 yards per carry.
• RECORD WATCH: Bernard McDondle has 2,627 career rushing yards to rank 4th all-time at CSU-Pueblo. He is 914 yards shy of third. Dennard's 2,221 career rushing yards ranks 7th in program history.
• With 37.0 points per game, the ThunderWolves are fifth in the conference and 26th nationally in scoring.
• Starting QB Brandon Edwards established a career high with 315 yards passing against Mines. He recorded one touchdown in the loss.
• He has produced an efficiency rating of 129.3, has thrown 78-for-142 (54.9%) for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns. He also has a rushing touchdown. Two of his touchdown strikes went for 68 yards, while he also has a 48 yard score. His one interception in 142 attempts was a desperation throw at the end of the Mines loss.
• Edwards' 13.4 passing yards per completion is 4th in the RMAC.
• The Pack have thrown just two interceptions this season and rank 1st in the league and 4th nationally in least passes intercepted.
• WR Cole Forsgren had a career game at Mines with eight receptions for 130 yards. He leads the team with 237 yards and a score. His 15 receptions is tied for the team lead with WR John Todd, as he owns 15 receptions for 210 yards and a touchdown.
• All five starting offensive linemen last season were seniors, but the new front didn't hesitate to step up and guided the rushing attack to a record 496 yards in game one. The Pack are 12th nationally in rushing. CSU-Pueblo is 4th in the league in sacks allowed (1.86).
DEFENSE
• The Pack have been one of the most stingiest and unforgiving defenses in the nation the past eight seasons. Since 2011, the ThunderWolves have finished the season in the top 22 nationally in scoring defense, which includes leading the country in 2011 and 2014. CSU-Pueblo has also ranked in the top 21 in turnover ratio (or turnovers gained) in all but one season in that span with the nation's best mark in 2014.
• By allowing 276.1 yards per game the ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and rank 14th nationally in total defense.
• With 15.1 points per game allowed the ThunderWolves are 1st in the league and 12th in DII.
• CSU-Pueblo hasn't hesitated in creating turnovers and with 13 interceptions (3 against DSU and NMHU) and 10 fumbles recovered (four against Texas A&M-Commerce) the Pack rank 2nd nationally in turnovers gained (23). The interception total sits 4th nationally, while the fumbles recovered number is 5th.
• Since 2008, the Pack have totaled 34 interception returns for a touchdown. The most in a season is five by the 2010, 2014 and 2017 squads. ILB Kyle Rosenbrock recorded a pick six on the second play at Mines. He went 26 yards to the house.
• Rosenbrock also has two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, while fellow ILB Brandon Payer owns three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
• CB Darius Williams doesn't have a pick yet, but has at least one pick six in each of his three seasons with the Pack and four in his career. His eight interceptions last season established a new program record, was a RMAC best and ranked T-2nd in NCAA Division II.
• Fellow starting CB Emery Taylor recorded six interceptions last season. In 2018, he has a team-best four interceptions and a team-high eight pass break-ups. With 12 passes defended (1.7 per game), Tayor leads the RMAC and ranks 10th nationally.
• RECORD WATCH: Williams and Taylor each have 14 career interceptions to rank 4th all-time at CSU-Pueblo. They are two picks from tying for 2nd. Stephan Dickens (2010-14) has the record with 19.
• CSU-Pueblo's rushing defense was established on game one of the program re-boot in 2008. The Pack allowed 13 yards rushing against Oklahoma Panhandle State (Sept. 8, 2008) and since have held their opponent to less than 50 yards rushing on 20 more occasions.
• Six times since 2008 the ThunderWolves have allowed 10 or less rushing yards, with the record standing at -4 rushing yards at New Mexico Highlands Nov. 9, 2013.
• CSU-Pueblo is 2nd in the RMAC and 24th nationally with 108.0 yards per game allowed.
• The Pack recorded seven sacks against DSU and compiled 15 tackles for loss. CSU-Pueblo has totaled at least eight TFL in each game this season and with 72 total (-253 yards) leads NCAA Division II in tackles for loss (10.3 TFLpg).
• ILB Brandon Payer finished last season with 110 tackles with 71 solo. His 71 solo efforts established a new program record and ranked 22nd nationally.
• This season, Payer is 5th in the RMAC with 67 tackles (34 solo) and adds 14.5 tackles for loss (-27 yards) that ranks 1st in the RMAC. The 2.3 tackles for loss per game is good for 3rd in Division II.
• RECORD WATCH: Payer has 343 tackles in his career, which is 6 shy of the modern era program record of 349 by Lee Meisner (2008-11). In all the program's history, Payer is 4th. With 47.5 career tackles for loss, the senior ranks third all-time behind Darius Allen's (2011-14) 59.0 and Morgan Fox's (2012-15) 49.5 tackles for loss.
• DE Michael Wristen finished with 2.5 sacks (-16 yards) against Dixie State and leads the team in the category with 6.0 (-30 yards), which is good for T-3rd in the RMAC. He totaled 3.5 sacks in all of 2017.
• CSU-Pueblo is 1st in the league and 16th in DII in red zone defense. The ThunderWolves have allowed eight scores (5 TDs, 3 FGs) in the red zone in 12 opponent attempts (67%).
• The Pack are 2nd in the RMAC and 25th in the nation in 3rd down conversion defense, as they allow their opponents to convert 29.6 percent of the time.
• The ThunderWolves lead the league in passing efficiency defense (96.41), which is good for 8th nationally. With 168.1 passing yards allowed, the squad leads the RMAC and ranks 17th in DII.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• The Pack had four blocked kicks last year and this season have got their hands on a punt, an extra point attempt and a FG attempt, as Tanner Draper blocked a 27-yard FG attempt by Dixie State, which was recovered by James Maxie and returned by Darius Williams 68 yards for a touchdown. The three blocked kicks ties the Pack for 27th in Division II. On the flip side, CSU-Pueblo has allowed just one blocked kick (a field goal against NMHU).
• K Mitchell Carter was 55-for-56 on extra points in his first season with the Pack and is 32-for-32 this season. He is 11-for-16 on field goal attempts. Carter leads the RMAC in field goals made, while his 1.57 FG per game is 4th nationally. He is 5-for-5 from 29 yards and in and 9-for-11 from 39 yards and closer. Carter connected on a career-long 50-yard field goal at Colorado Mesa. It ranks as the longest in the RMAC this season and T-4th in NCAA Division II in 2018. It was the first made 50-plus yard field goal for the Pack since 2013.
• With 65 points, Carter is first among RMAC kickers and is 6th in the conference (21st nationally) in scoring. His point total is a team-best that ranks 19th in DII.
• The ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and sit 9th in Division II in net punting (39.37 yards), while P Tanner Cuda's 44.6 yards per punt ranks 5th nationally and 2nd in the league.
• In 43 attempts, Cuda has booted 11 punts more than 50 yards with his long settling at 70 yards. He has landed 20 punts inside the 20 and recorded five touchbacks.
• CSU-Pueblo ranks 2nd in the league in kickoff return defense, as it allows 19.21 yards per return.
• The Pack are 3rd in the RMAC in punt returns with 10.67 yards per return.
• WR Kevin Ribarich is 2nd in the RMAC with 10.2 yards per punt return.
#PACKPROS: CSU-Pueblo has three former players in the NFL right now. Ryan Jensen (2009-12) is in his sixth season and first with Tampa Bay after five with the Baltimore Ravens. After a breakout season where he started all 16 games at center for the Ravens, Jensen inked the largest contract for a center in NFL history. Mike Pennel (2013) is in his fifth overall season and second with the New York Jets. Morgan Fox (2012-15) moved from the practice squad to active roster in 2016 and was on the active roster all of the 2017 season with the Los Angeles Rams. Unfortunately, Fox suffered a knee injury during OTAs and will miss the 2018 season. Darius Allen (2011-14) is currently with the Canadian Football league's Edmonton Eskimos. Pennel, Fox and Allen all play on the defensive line.
VS. RANKED SQUADS: CSU-Pueblo owns a 18-7 (11-4 at home) record versus ranked opponents (Division II) since 2011. The ThunderWolves went 6-0 versus the nation's top 25 in 2014 and also added a 47-21 win against Sam Houston State (No. 15) to record the team's first-ever victory against a ranked FCS team. The Pack went 4-1 against ranked opponents in 2015 and had won 10 straight against the nation's best before the loss to Grand Valley State. The Pack recorded the program's second win against a team ranked No. 1 in the AFCA poll when it posted a 23-13 road win at Texas A&M-Commerce Sept. 22. The first time came when CSU-Pueblo won the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship by the score of 13-0 against Minnesota State University, Mankato.
STREAKS: CSU-Pueblo posted three straight 11-0 seasons entering 2014 and was just one of two teams in NCAA Division II history to accomplish the feat. After starting 5-0 in 2014, the Pack owned 42 straight regular season victories, which was the second-longest in NCAA Division II history, behind only Grand Valley State, which posted 48 straight wins from 2004-09. The streak ended Oct. 11 in a 23-22 road loss at Fort Lewis.
The Pack recorded 28 consecutive regular season home victories from a 66-0 win against New Mexico Highlands Oct. 30, 2010 to a 51-20 win against Colorado Mesa Nov. 7, 2015.
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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.
