PUEBLO, Colo. (Oct. 25, 2018) - The No. 13 Colorado State University-Pueblo football team welcomes Fort Lewis College Saturday, Oct. 27 at 12 p.m. in the final home game of the regular season. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference battle at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl is a Military Appreciation Game and will honor Pack seniors before the contest.
The ThunderWolves will recognize 20 senior football student-athletes before the game, along with cheer and dance and athletic training seniors.
Active and retired military (with ID) and up to four immediate family members will earn free admission to the game. All military in attendance will be recognized during the game and there is a planned fly-over during the national anthem.
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CSU-PUEBLO PDF GAME NOTES
FORT LEWIS FOOTBALL WEBSITE
THE GAME
• The ThunderWolves are No. 12 in the D2Football.com poll and No. 13 in the AFCA national rankings with a 7-1 overall and 6-1 RMAC record. CSU-Pueblo was No. 4 in the first edition of the NCAA Super Region Four rankings, announced this week.
• The Pack have won five straight games, which includes back-to-back road wins at Colorado Mesa (36-14) and Adams State (29-22).
• The game marks the final regular season home contest, as the ThunderWolves play four of their last five on the road.
• Fort Lewis is 1-7 overall and in RMAC play. FLC has lost four straight, which includes losing at home last week to a previously win-less Western team by the score of 40-20.
• CSU-Pueblo is 36-17 all-time against Fort Lewis, but are coming off its second loss to FLC in the last four years.
• The Pack fell in Durango 35-24 last season and loss on the road in 2014 by the score of 23-22.
• The ThunderWolves are 8-2 against the Skyhawks since the return, which includes a 5-0 mark at home. The Pack have outscored FLC 39.6-4.8 in those five games, which includes a 33-12 victory in 2016. CSU-Pueblo has two shutouts in those five games and haven't allowed more than 12 points.
SCOUTING THE PACK
• The Pack are coming off a 29-22 road win at Adams State. Junior RB Austin Micci scored the game-winning touchdown with 4:01 to play in regulation. He finished with 141 yards on 19 carries for his second straight 100-plus yard game.
• Micci's 7.1 yards per carry this season is No. 9 nationally.
• The ThunderWolves finished with 212 yards rushing and with a 258 yards per game average on the season, rank No. 12 in Division II.
• The CSU-Pueblo defense totaled 14 tackles for loss (-45 yards), eight sacks (-33 yards) and three turnovers. Nationally, the ThunderWolves are No. 1 in tackles for loss (10.8 TFLpg), No. 8 in sacks (3.5 spg) and No. 2 in turnovers gained (26).
• Junior ILB Kyle Rosenbrock is tied for No. 1 nationally with four fumbles recovered, as he gathered two against Adams State. He led the team with eight tackles (six solo) with 2.5 tackles for loss (-7 yards) and a sack (-3 yards). He also forced his third fumble of the season.
• Junior DE Jackson Wibbels finished with seven tackles (three solo) and posted 3.5 sacks (-19 yards). The sack total was a career-high, is the most by a member of the RMAC this season and ties for fourth most in a game by a member of NCAA Division II this season.
• Junior CB Emery Taylor totaled two pass breakups and this season has 14 passes defended. His 1.8 passes defended per game is good for No. 8 in Division II.
• Adams State entered the battle ranked fifth in Division II in passing offense (324.7 ypg), ninth in total offense (497.4 ypg) and 11th in scoring (42.6 ppg). ASU had 329 total yards and 228 yards passing.
• The Pack's opponent has scored first in each of the last three games, as the Grizzlies took a 7-0 lead in the first. After a scoreless opening period, the ThunderWolves put up 22 points in the second quarter to lead 22-15 at the break.
• R-Fr. QB Jace Christian threw his first two collegiate touchdowns in the quarter, while R-Fr. RB Marcus Lindsay found the end zone from 20 yards out.
• In the third, ASU scored a touchdown after completing a seven-play, 73-yard drive.
• With the game tied 22-22 there were five punts and a turnover on downs between the two teams before Micci broke one loose to the end zone. The CSU-Pueblo defense had two sacks on Adams State's final drive before an incomplete pass put the road team in victory formation.
• Senior ILB Brandon Payer recorded a half tackle for loss, as he leads the RMAC and sits 7th in DII with 1.9 tackles for loss per game (15 TFL).
• Senior DE Michael Wristen added a sack to his team-high 7.0 sacks (-34 yards). He leads the RMAC and sits 20th nationally with 0.94 sacks per game.
• Senior P Tanner Cuda placed three punts inside the 20 to move to 23 total in that category. His 43.6 yards per punt in 2018 ranks 8th nationally.
SCOUTING FORT LEWIS
• Following their loss to Western last week, FLC is last in the RMAC with a 0.125 winning percentage. They are 1-7 overall and in league play.
• The Skyhawks turned the ball over six times against the Mountaineers (three fumbles and three interceptions), one of which resulted in a pick six. Western would total 23 points off those turnovers.
• FLC gave up 13 points in the first and 14 in the second and would trail 27-6 at the half. The Skyhawks won the second half 14-13, but it wouldn't be enough.
• The Skyhawks rank 3rd in the RMAC in rushing defense (145 ypg allowed) and tackles for loss (7.5 TFLpg). They have scored four times on D.
• FLC sits last in the league in total offense (314.6 ypg) and scoring (23.6 ppg).
• Punter Max Peets ranks 1st in the RMAC and 3rd nationally with 45.0 yards per punt. As a team, the Skyhawks are 3rd in the league in net punting (37.45 ypp).
• WR Ta'Jon Mondy is a bright spot for the Fort Lewis offense. He leads the RMAC in yards per reception (23.1), ranks fifth in touchdowns (6) and eighth in receiving yards (438).
• DB Isiah Mayberry leads the team with 62 (28 solo) tackles. DT George Marpaung has 1.7 tackles for loss per game to rank 2nd in the RMAC.
• As a squad, FLC is 4th in the conference in fewest penalties (57) and fewest penalty yards (503).
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. Wristen owns a 102-24 all-time record. The .810 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 .691 winning percentage (38-17). On the flip side, the Pack's remaining three opponents are 4-20 (.167).
• 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 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 17 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 on four occasions. The defense has created 26 turnovers this season and with a +1.63 turnover margin the Pack sit 5th 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 258.0 yards rushing per game, the ThunderWolves rank No. 12 in NCAA Division II.
• The Pack are racking up the yards by committee. Austin Micci leads the team with 638 yards (79.8 ypg) and seven touchdowns on a team-high 91 carries. Marché Dennard owns 606 yards on 69 carries with a team-best eight touchdowns. R-Fr. Marcus Lindsay adds 284 yards and three scores on 61 attempts. In four games, Bernard McDondle has 222 yards rushing with three touchdowns and 74 yards receiving with a score.
• Dennard's 8.78 yards per carry ranks 1st in NCAA Division II, while Micci is 9th nationally with 7.01 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. Micci is just six yards shy of 2,000 career yards to become the 9th player in program history to reach the milestone.
• With 36.0 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 3rd in the RMAC.
• The Pack have thrown just three interceptions this season and rank 1st in the league and 9th 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 241 yards and a score. His 15 receptions is second to WR Kevin Ribarich, who owns 17 receptions for 230 yards and touchdown. WR John Todd adds 15 receptions for 210 yards and a touchdown. WR Nick Williams as scored a touchdown in the last two games to lead the team in the category.
• 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 (1.88).
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 282.8 yards per game the ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and rank 16th nationally in total defense.
• With 16.0 points per game allowed the ThunderWolves are 1st in the league and 13th in DII.
• CSU-Pueblo hasn't hesitated in creating turnovers and with 14 interceptions (3 against DSU and NMHU) and 12 fumbles recovered (four against Texas A&M-Commerce) the Pack rank 2nd nationally in turnovers gained (26). The interception total sits 5th nationally, while the fumbles recovered number is tied for 1st in Division II.
• 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 totaled two fumbles recoveries against Adams State and has four on the season to tie for the lead in Division II. He also has three forced fumbles to lead the RMAC and rank 12th nationally. Fellow ILB Brandon Payer owns three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
• CB Darius Williams doesn't have a pick this season, 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 10 pass break-ups. With 14 passes defended (1.8 per game), Tayor leads the RMAC and ranks 8th 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 (19).
• S Jadon Garcia has four interceptions this season (all in the last three games) to tie for the team lead.
• 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 20th nationally with 107.1 yards per game allowed.
• The Pack recorded seven sacks against DSU and compiled 15 tackles for loss. Against Adams State, the ThunderWolves totaled eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss. CSU-Pueblo has totaled at least eight TFL in each game this season and with 86 total (-298 yards) leads NCAA Division II in tackles for loss (10.8 TFLpg). CSU-Pueblo is 2nd in the RMAC and 8th nationally in sacks with 3.5 per game.
• The eight sacks in a game ranks tied for fourth most in NCAA Division II this season. In that game, DE Jackson Wibbels recorded 3.5 tackles to loss to also tie for the fourth most by a player in a game this season.
• 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 4th in the RMAC with 71 tackles (34 solo) and adds 15.0 tackles for loss (-28 yards) that ranks 1st in the RMAC. The 2.3 tackles for loss per game is good for 8th in Division II.
• RECORD WATCH: Payer has 347 tackles in his career, which is 2 shy of the modern era program record of 349 by Lee Meisner (2008-11). In all the program's history, Payer is 4th. With 48.0 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 7.0 (-34 yards), which is good for 1st in the RMAC and 26th nationally. He totaled 3.5 sacks in all of 2017.
• CSU-Pueblo is 1st in the league and 13th in DII in red zone defense. The ThunderWolves have allowed 10 scores (7 TDs, 3 FGs) in the red zone in 15 opponent attempts (66.7%).
• The Pack are 2nd in the RMAC and 30th in the nation in 3rd down conversion defense, as they allow their opponents to convert 30.3 percent of the time.
• The ThunderWolves lead the league in passing efficiency defense (99.76), which is good for 14th nationally. With 175.6 passing yards allowed, the squad leads the RMAC and ranks 24th 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 3rd in the RMAC. On the flip side, CSU-Pueblo has allowed just one blocked kick (a field goal attempt against NMHU).
• K Mitchell Carter was 55-for-56 on extra points in his first season with the Pack and is 35-for-35 this season. He is 11-for-17 on field goal attempts. Carter leads the RMAC in field goals made, while his 1.38 FG per game is 7th nationally. He is 5-for-5 from 29 yards and in and 9-for-12 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 68 points, Carter is first among RMAC kickers and is 5th overall in the conference (23rd nationally) in scoring.
• The ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and sit 7th in Division II in net punting (39.10 yards), while P Tanner Cuda's 43.6 yards per punt ranks 8th nationally and 3rd in the league.
• In 50 attempts, Cuda has booted 12 punts more than 50 yards with his long settling at 70 yards. He has landed 23 punts inside the 20 and recorded five touchbacks.
• The ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and sit 14th nationally in kickoff returns with 24.33 yards per return.
• CSU-Pueblo ranks 3rd in the league in kickoff return defense, as it allows 19.38 yards per return.
• The Pack are 3rd in the RMAC in punt returns with 9.48 yards per return.
• WR Kevin Ribarich is 2nd in the RMAC with 8.6 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, 2018. The first time came when CSU-Pueblo won the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship by the score of 13-0 against Minnesota State.
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.
