PUEBLO, Colo. (Oct. 31, 2018) - The No. 12 Colorado State University-Pueblo football team will put its six-game win streak on the line in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference road contest at Black Hills State University. The contest in Spearfish, South Dakota is set to kickoff at 1 p.m.
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THE GAME
• The ThunderWolves are No. 11 in the D2Football.com poll and No. 12 in the AFCA national rankings with a 8-1 overall and 7-1 RMAC record. CSU-Pueblo was No. 5 in the second edition of the NCAA Super Region Four rankings, announced Monday.
• The Pack have won six straight games, which includes a 3-0 record on the road in that span.
• CSU-Pueblo will play four of its final five games away from the ThunderBowl.
• Black Hills State owns a 2-7 overall and RMAC record. After winning two straight at home against New Mexico Highlands (42-7) and Colorado Mesa (31-26), the Yellow Jackets went on the road last week and lost 28-6 to Western.
• CSU-Pueblo is 6-0 all-time against BHSU in a series that dates back to 2012. The Pack are 3-0 on the road. The series score tilts in the favor of the ThunderWolves 47.5-10.2. CSU-Pueblo has scored 42 points or more in each contest, while the defense has held the YellowJackets to 17 points or less.
• Last season at the ThunderBowl, the Pack won 49-0 behind two interceptions for touchdowns by Darius Williams and Emery Taylor and a 388-122 advantage in yards.
• In the last meeting in Spearfish, S. D., the ThunderWolves won 49-14 in 2016. CSU-Pueblo scored 21 points in the second quarter and won the total offense battle 456-204.
SCOUTING THE PACK
• The Pack posted their first shutout of the season Saturday in the final regular season home game and on Senior Day where the program recognized 20 student-athletes before the game.
• The ThunderWolves won 39-0, guided by a 25-point first half. CSU-Pueblo totaled 358 yards, while the Skyhawks could only muster 72 (just 17 passing).
• The Pack defense totaled nine tackles for loss (-29 yards), which included two sacks (-11 yards). The team owns 10.6 tackles for loss per game this season to lead NCAA Division II.
• The ThunderWolves also produced two turnovers (one interception, one fumble recovery) and also lead DII in turnovers gained with 28 and fumbles recovered with 13. The squad's 15 interceptions is eighth nationally.
• Senior ILB Brandon Payer gathered 10 tackles (six solo), with a sack (-1 yard) and recovered a fumble he returned 21 yards.
• With four fumbles recovered each, both Payer and fellow ILB junior Kyle Rosenbrock are tied for 1st in Division II for fumbles recovered.
• In the game, Payer established a new program record for career tackles in the modern era (since 2008) with 358. He leads the team and ranks 5th in the RMAC in tackles, while his 1.8 tackles for loss per game sits 13th nationally.
• Senior P Tanner Cuda averaged 49 yards per punt against the Skyhawks and booted a 70-yard punt to tie his season-best. His 44.1 yards per punt in 2018 ranks 6th nationally.
• Speaking of special teams, the Pack totaled 188 yards on seven kick returns (five punt, two kickoff), blocked a punt and scored a safety. Sophomore K Mitchell Carter hit three field goals and with 1.56 field goals per game, ranks 2nd in DII.
• On offense, the ThunderWolves totaled 195 yards rushing, as 13 players recorded at least one carry. The team sits 15th nationally and 1st in the RMAC with 251 yards per game.
• Junior RB Austin Micci led the team with 51 yards on the ground. His 7.03 yards per carry is good for 11th nationally. Senior RB Marché Dennard is 2nd in DII with 8.12 yards per rush.
• Junior QB AJ Thompson was 6-for-7 for 48 yards passing and added 47 yards and a touchdown on six rushing attempts.
SCOUTING BLACK HILLS STATE
• The Yellow Jackets are 2-7 overall and in RMAC play, but are 2-1 in their last three games.
• BHSU is 2-2 at home this season with wins against New Mexico Highlands (42-7) and Colorado Mesa (31-26).
• Like years past, the Yellow Jackets have created turnovers on defense and this season rank 3rd in the RMAC in turnovers gained (18), while their 11 interceptions is also 3rd in the league. As a team, BHSU is 5th in the conference in turnover margin (-0.22).
• The defense ranks 3rd in the RMAC in passing yards allowed (233.9 ypg).
• LB Austin Goddard sits 2nd in the RMAC in tackles with 91 (10.1 tpg).
• The offensive line ranks 3rd in the league in tackles for loss allowed (6.22) and sacks allowed (1.89).
• BHSU is averaging 23.8 points per game and totaling 362.4 yards per contest, while allowing 36.6 points and 462 yards per game.
• The Yellow Jackets sit 1st in the RMAC and 11th nationally in punt returns with 16.6 yards per return.
• Black Hills State has been disciplined this season and leads the RMAC in least penalty yards per game (56.7 ypg).
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. 12 in the AFCA and No. 11 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 103-24 all-time record. The .811 percentage ranks 2nd among active NCAA Division II coaches (min 5 years).
• Since 2008, CSU-Pueblo is undefeated when scoring 35 or more points (56-0) and when allowing 10 points or less (41-0).
• Since 2008, the ThunderWolves are 56-11 (.836) at the ThunderBowl.
• CSU-Pueblo posted a perfect regular season home record (5-0) for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
• The ThunderWolves have eight scoring plays of 65-yards or more and own 10 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 18 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 five occasions. The defense has created 28 turnovers this season and with a +1.56 turnover margin the Pack sit 4th nationally in the category.
CSU-PUEBLO POSITION NOTABLES
OFFENSE
• Against Dixie State, the ThunderWolves established a program record with 496 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. The yard total ranks T-5th in NCAA Division II this season.
• With 251.0 yards rushing per game, the ThunderWolves rank No. 15 in NCAA Division II.
• The Pack are racking up the yards by committee. Austin Micci leads the team with 689 yards (76.6 ypg) and seven touchdowns on a team-high 98 carries. Marché Dennard owns 609 yards on 75 carries with a team-best eight touchdowns. R-Fr. Marcus Lindsay adds 290 yards and three scores on 63 attempts. In five games, Bernard McDondle has 241 yards rushing with four touchdowns and 74 yards receiving with a score.
• Dennard's 8.12 yards per carry ranks 2nd in NCAA Division II, while Micci is 11th nationally with 7.03 yards per carry.
• RECORD WATCH: Bernard McDondle has 2,648 career rushing yards to rank 4th all-time at CSU-Pueblo. He is 893 yards shy of third. Dennard's 2,224 career rushing yards ranks 7th in program history. Micci eclipsed the 2,000 career yards mark against Fort Lewis to become the 9th player in program history to reach the milestone. He owns 2,045 yards.
• With 36.3 points per game, the ThunderWolves are 5th in the conference and 27th 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 128.4, has thrown 87-for-159 (54.7%) for 1,144 yards and seven 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 159 attempts was a desperation throw at the end of the Mines loss.
• Edwards' 13.2 passing yards per completion is 5th in the RMAC.
• The Pack have thrown just three interceptions this season and rank 1st in the league and 6th 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 266 yards and a score. His 17 receptions matches WR Kevin Ribarich to lead the team. Ribarich owns 230 yards and touchdown. WR John Todd adds 15 receptions for 210 yards and a touchdown. WR Nick Williams scored a touchdown in back-to-back games (Oct. 13 and Oct. 20) to lead the team in the category. He owns 13 receptions for 109 yards.
• 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 15th nationally in rushing. CSU-Pueblo is 3rd in the league in sacks allowed (1.89).
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 259.3 yards per game the ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and rank 9th nationally in total defense.
• The Pack allowed just 72 total yards to Fort Lewis, which ranks as the 5th best defensive effort this season in Division II. FLC only totaled 17 yards passing, which is the 8th best defensive performance in 2018.
• With 14.2 points per game allowed the ThunderWolves are 1st in the league and 6th in DII.
• CSU-Pueblo hasn't hesitated in creating turnovers and with 15 interceptions (3 against DSU and NMHU) and 13 fumbles recovered (four against Texas A&M-Commerce) the Pack rank lead the nation in turnovers gained (28). The interception total sits 8th nationally, while the fumbles recovered number is also tops 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 four forced fumbles to lead the RMAC and rank T-5th nationally. Fellow ILB Brandon Payer also owns four fumble recoveries to help lead the nation, while he also has 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 ties for a team-best four interceptions and a team-high 10 pass break-ups. With 14 passes defended (1.6 per game), Tayor is 2nd in the RMAC and ranks 15th 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 span of 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 18th nationally with 101.3 rushing 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 95 total (-327 yards) leads NCAA Division II in tackles for loss (10.6 TFLpg). CSU-Pueblo is 2nd in the RMAC and 9th nationally in sacks with 3.44 per game.
• The eight sacks in a game ranks T-10th most in NCAA Division II this season. In that game, DE Jackson Wibbels recorded 3.5 tackles to loss to T-7th 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 3rd in the RMAC with 80 tackles (39 solo) and adds 16.0 tackles for loss (-29 yards) that ranks 1st in the RMAC. The 1.8 tackles for loss per game is good for 13th in Division II.
• RECORD WATCH: Payer became the modern era (since 2008) career tackles leader against Fort Lewis when he surpassed Lee Meisner's (2008-11) 349 career tackles. With 357 career tackles, he ranks 3rd in all the program's history. Dan DeRose is the program's all-time leader with 415 from 1981-83. With 49.0 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 T-1st in the RMAC. 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 1st in the RMAC and 13th in the nation in 3rd down conversion defense, as they allow their opponents to convert 28.6 percent of the time.
• The ThunderWolves lead the league in passing efficiency defense (97.20), which is good for 7th nationally. With 158 passing yards allowed, the squad leads the RMAC and ranks 14th in DII.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• The Pack had four blocked kicks last year and this season have got their hands on two punts, an extra point attempt and a FG attempt, as Tanner Draperblocked 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 four blocked kicks ties the Pack for 3rd in the RMAC. On the flip side, CSU-Pueblo has allowed two blocked kick (two field goal attempts).
• K Mitchell Carter was 55-for-56 on extra points in his first season with the Pack and is 39-for-39 this season. He is 14-for-22 on field goal attempts. Carter leads the RMAC in field goals made, while his 1.56 FG per game is 2nd nationally. He is 5-for-5 from 29 yards and in and 12-for-16 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 81 points, Carter is 1st among RMAC kickers and is 6th overall in the conference (21st nationally) in scoring.
• The ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and sit 2nd in Division II in net punting (40 yards), while P Tanner Cuda's 44.1 yards per punt ranks 6th nationally and 3rd in the league.
• In 55 attempts, Cuda has booted 14 punts more than 50 yards with his long settling at 70 yards (twice). He has landed 24 punts inside the 20 and recorded five touchbacks.
• The ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and sit 6th nationally in kickoff returns with 27.06 yards per return.
• CSU-Pueblo ranks 2nd in the league in kickoff return defense, as it allows 18.56 yards per return.
• The Pack are 2nd in the RMAC in punt returns with 11.0 yards per return.
• WR Kevin Ribarich leads the RMAC with 10.5 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.
