PUEBLO, Colo. (Nov. 16, 2018) - The No. 9 Colorado State University-Pueblo football team begins the NCAA Division II Playoffs Saturday, Nov. 17 at No. 14 Colorado School of Mines. The matchup between the No. 5 and No. 4 teams in Super Region Four is set to kickoff at 12 p.m. MT in Golden, Colorado.
THE GAME
• CSU-Pueblo is making its sixth appearance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015*, 2017 and 2018 - *2015 was removed from NCAA records due to self-reported violation).
• The Pack are 5-4 in Division II postseason play (doesn't include 2-1 record from 2015).
• The ThunderWolves secured a share of the RMAC Championship with a 41-3 victory at Western to close the season with a 10-1 overall and 9-1 record.
• The title was the Pack's eighth championship in program history and seventh in the last eight years.
• The ThunderWolves reached 10 wins for the sixth time in program history, all of which have occurred in the last eight years.
• CSU-Pueblo is the No. 5 seed in Super Region Four and advanced to the NCAA Division II postseason for the sixth time (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015*, 2017, 2018 - *2015 was removed from NCAA record due to self-reported violation).
• The Pack were the No. 9 team in the final regular season AFCA poll and No. 8 in the D2Football.com national rankings.
• The Pack have won eight straight games, which includes a 5-0 record on the road in that span.
• CSU-Pueblo closed the regular season playing four of its final five games away from the ThunderBowl.
• The ThunderWovles share the RMAC title with their round one oppenent Colorado School of Mines, who also finished with a 10-1 overall and 9-1 RMAC record. The Orediggers' lone loss came in week 10, a 52-45 road setback at Dixie State.
• CSU-Pueblo and Mines have traded victories over the last four meetings. The Pack have a 18-10 all-time record against the Orediggers, which includes a 6-5 mark since the return of football in 2008.
• In a week three meeting in Golden, the ThunderWolves suffered what would be their only loss of the season, 35-21. After a shootout of a first quarter with Mines leading 21-14, there was no scoring in the second quarter. The home team would capitalize on CSU-Pueblo turnovers in the second half and score 14 points off those miscues to open a 35-14 lead. The Pack scored with 10 minutes left in regulation to make it 35-21, but that is where it would end.
• ILB Kyle Rosenbrock had a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first 46 seconds of the game and would finish the game with nine tackles (two solo), 2.5 tackles for loss (-28 yards), two forced fumbles and a sack (-13 yards).
• QB Brandon Edwards threw for the most yards of the season in the loss, as he went 15-for-30 for 315 yards.
• The Pack out-gained the Orediggers 435-267 yards, which included holding the home team to 88 yards passing.
• The Pack last won at Mines in 2014 (20-12) when the two teams met at North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada.
SCOUTING THE PACK
• The ThunderWolves totaled 20 All-RMAC selections with nine first team honorees, guided by the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year, ILB Brandon Payer. OL Elijah Reed was honored as RMAC Offensive Freshman of the Year.
• CSU-Pueblo used a 41-3 victory at Western to secure their seventh RMAC title in the last eight years.
• The formula was more of the same, as the Pack defense stood tall and the ThunderWolves run game rushed for more than 200 yards for the eighth time this season. In seven of the 11 games, a CSU-Pueblo running back has eclipsed the 100 yards mark.
• The Pack allowed just 50 total yards, while gathering 385 yards. The Mountaineers could only muster one yard rushing to a defense who has given up a total of 45 rushing yards in the last three games. The defense produced four turnovers (three fumbles), while the ThunderWolves didn't turn the ball over. CSU-Pueblo gathered 12 tackles for loss (-52 yards), which included eight sacks (-46 yards).
• CB Emery Taylor brought in his team-best seventh interception of the season and added two break-ups. He closed the regular season with 1.8 passes defended to rank 4th in Division II.
• RB Marché Dennard finished with 100 yards, which included a 51-yard touchdown. He averaged 11.1 yards per carry and finished No. 1 in Division II in the category with a 8.35 average during the regular season.
• The Pack got their first kick return touchdown of the season, as WR Isaiah Diggs brought a punt back 47 yards to the paint.
• K Mitchell Carter totaled 11 points, as he was 2-for-2 on field goals (32 and 22 yards) and 5-for-5 on extra points. He finished the season with 17 field goals and a 1.55 field goals per game average that finished 2nd nationally.
• P Tanner Cuda punted six times for 268 yards to average 44.7 yards per game with his long kick going 59 yards and one landing inside the 20-yard-line. He closed the regular season with a 44.0 yards per punt average to rank 4th in DII.
SCOUTING MINES
• Mines also shared the RMAC Championship with a 10-1 overall and 9-1 league record. The title was their 12th in program history and fourth since 2010.
• Colorado School of Mines is making its fifth appearance in the NCAA postseason.
• Mines finished the regular season 1st in NCAA Division II in both passing offense (336.2 ypg) and total offense (578.2 ypg), while the scoring offense was 2nd with 49.9 points per contest. The rushing offense is 20th nationally with 242 yards per game.
• QB Isaac Harker is 1st in DII in passing TDs (38), 2nd in passing yards (3,573), passing yards per game (324.8) and completion percentage (67.8%) and 3rd in passing efficiency (175.3) and total offense (339 ypg).
• His top target is WR Brody Oliver, who is 1st nationally with 20 receiving TDs and ws 5th in receiving yards per game with a 121.2 average.
• RB Cameron Mayberry was 2nd in DII with 22 rushing touchdowns and 5th in rushing yards with 1,584 (144 ypg).
• The O-Line sits 9th nationally with 3.86 tackles for loss allowed.
• The defense finished the 2nd in the RMAC in total defense (377.3 ypg) and scoring defense (24 ppg). Mines is 2nd in the RMAC and 9th in Division II in rushing defense, after allowing 90.8 yards per game.
• LB Averie Mansfield led the team with 59 tackles (22 solo) and 9.0 tackles for loss (-21 yards). LB Logan Bock adds 44 tackles (24 solo) with a team-best 11.5 tackles for loss (-63 yards) and seven sacks (-55 yards). CB Anthony Makransky has 45 tackles (20 tackles) with 14 pass break-ups and 16 pass defended.
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 back at No. 9 in the AFCA and No. 8 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 105-24 all-time record. The .814 percentage ranks 2nd among active NCAA Division II coaches (min 5 years).
• Since 2008, CSU-Pueblo is undefeated when scoring 36 or more points (57-0) and when allowing 10 points or less (43-0). The Pack have done both in each of the last three games.
• 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 13 scoring drives of 75 yards or more. CSU-Pueblo capped a 99-yard drive with a 49-yard Austin Micci rushing touchdown at Black Hills State (7-plays, 99-yards, 2:30).
• 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 20 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 six occasions. The defense has created 38 turnovers this season and with a +2.09 turnover margin the Pack lead all NCAA Division II.
• For the second time in the four-year era (1963) the Pack posted back-to-back shutouts with the only other time coming in 1965 (W, 10-0 and T, 0-0), when they defeated Fort Lewis 39-0 (Oct. 27) and then Black Hills State 59-0 (Nov. 3).
• The Pack finished the regular season leading NCAA Division II in turnover margin (+2.1), turnovers gained (38), passes intercepted (22), fumbles recovered (16), team tackles for loss (10.6) and team passing efficiency defense (84.2).
• Additionally, CSU-Pueblo was top 10 nationally in total defense (3rd, 226.5), sacks (3rd, 3.91), scoring defense (4th, 11.9), 3rd down conversion defense (4th, 25.7), rushing defense (7th, 82.0), passing yards allowed (7th, 144.5), first downs defense (8th, 139) and red zone defense (10th, 64.7).
• CSU-Pueblo was also 1st nationally in net punting with a 40.34 average, 3rd in kickoff returns with 27.4 yards per return and 9th in passes had intercepted with four.
CSU-PUEBLO POSITION NOTABLES
OFFENSE
• Against Dixie State, the ThunderWolves established a program record with 496 yards on the ground. Then at Black Hills State the Pack put up 485 yards rushing. To round out the top five all-time performances: 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 268.6 yards rushing per game, the ThunderWolves rank No. 14 in NCAA Division II.
• The Pack are racking up the yards by committee. Austin Micci leads the team with 833 yards (75.7 ypg) and eight touchdowns on a team-high 114 carries. Marché Dennard owns 793 yards on 95 carries with a team-best nine touchdowns. R-Fr. Marcus Lindsay adds 442 yards and four scores on 81 attempts. In seven games, Bernard McDondle has 321 yards rushing with four touchdowns.
• Dennard's 8.35 yards per carry led NCAA Division II during the regular season, while Micci is 6th nationally with 7.31 yards per carry.
• Micci also adds 229 yards receiving at two touchdowns. He averages a team-best 98.5 all-purpose yards per game.
• RECORD WATCH: The ThunderWolves currently have three players with more than 2,000 career yards rushing. Bernard McDondle has 2,728 career rushing yards to rank 4th all-time at CSU-Pueblo. Dennard's 2,408 career rushing yards ranks 6th 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 2,189 yards to rank 8th all-time.
• With 38.8 points per game, the Pack were 3rd in the conference and sit 18th 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 140.1 (4th in the RMAC), has thrown 108-for-189 (57.1%) for 1,459 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also has a rushing touchdown. Two of his touchdown strikes went for 68 yards, while he also has 56-yard, 51-yard and 48-yard scores. His one interception in 189 attempts was a desperation throw at the end of the Mines loss.
• Edwards' 13.5 passing yards per completion is 4th in the RMAC.
• The Pack have thrown just four interceptions this season and rank 1st in the league and 9th nationally in least passes intercepted.
• WR Kevin Ribarich emerged as the top receiver during the regular season, as he led the team in all three major receiving categories with 307 yards on 23 receptions for three touchdowns.
• WR Cole Forsgren had a career game at Mines with eight receptions for 130 yards. He leads the team with 283 yards and a score. His 20 receptions is second to Ribarich. WR Nick Williams scored a touchdown in back-to-back games (Oct. 13 and Oct. 20) and owns 16 receptions for 145 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. CSU-Pueblo has used four different starting linemen combinations this season and are guiding the 14th best rushing attack in the nation. CSU-Pueblo was 3rd in the league in sacks allowed (1.82).
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 226.5 yards per game the Pack led the RMAC and rank 3rd nationally in total defense.
• The ThunderWolves allowed just 72 total yards to Fort Lewis, which ranks as the 9th best defensive effort this season in Division II. FLC only totaled 17 yards passing, which is the 8th best defensive performance in 2018.
• The next week at Black Hills State CSU-Pueblo allowed 108 yards and -11 rushing to establish a program record and rank T-14th in NCAA Division II this season for least rushing yards allowed.
• With 11.9 points per game allowed the ThunderWolves were 1st in the league and 4th in DII.
• CSU-Pueblo owns 22 interceptions (6 at Black Hills State to tie a program record) and 16 fumbles recovered (4 at Texas A&M-Commerce) to lead the nation in turnovers gained (38). Both the interception total and fumbles recovered number sits 1st nationally.
• Since 2008, the Pack have totaled 35 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. S Jadon Garcia went 29 yards for a score at BHSU.
• Rosenbrock totaled two fumbles recoveries against Adams State and has four on the season to sit T-3rd in Division II. He also has four forced fumbles to lead the RMAC and rank T-7th nationally. Fellow ILB Brandon Payer also owns four fumble recoveries and adds three 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, leads the team with seven interceptions and a team-high 13 pass break-ups. With 20 passes defended (1.8 per game), Tayor was 2nd in the RMAC and ranks 4th nationally.
• RECORD WATCH: Taylor has 17 career interceptions to sit 2nd all-time at CSU-Pueblo. Williams owns 14 picks to rank 4th all-time at CSU-Pueblo. Stephan Dickens (2010-14) has the record with 19.
• S Jadon Garcia has five interceptions this season (all in the span of four games) to rank 2nd on the team and T-3rd in the league.
• 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 22 more occasions.
• Eight times since 2008 the ThunderWolves have allowed 10 or less rushing yards, with the record standing at -11 yards this season at Black Hills State (previous record was -4 rushing yards at New Mexico Highlands Nov. 9, 2013).
• CSU-Pueblo led the RMAC and sits 7th nationally with 82 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. And in a road win at Western, the team totaled nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
• CSU-Pueblo has totaled at least eight TFL in each game this season and with 117 total (-416 yards) leads NCAA Division II in tackles for loss (10.6 TFLpg). The Pack lead the RMAC and rank 3rd nationally in sacks with 3.91 per game.
• The nine sacks in a game ranks T-6th most in NCAA Division II this season. The eight against ASU is T-13th and in that game, DE Jackson Wibbels recorded 3.5 tackles to loss.
• 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 T-10th in the RMAC with 87 tackles (42 solo) and posted a league-best 19.0 tackles for loss (-40 yards). The 1.7 tackles for loss per game is good for 11th in Division II.
• RECORD BREAKER: 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 361 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 52.0 career tackles for loss, the senior ranks 2nd all-time behind Darius Allen's (2011-14) 59.0. He surpassed Morgan Fox's (2012-15) 49.5 tackles for loss in the win at Black Hills State.
• DE Michael Wristen finished with 2.5 sacks (-16 yards) against Dixie State and shared the RMAC lead in the category with Wibbels, as both produced 9.0 sacks (-52 yards for Wibbels and -47 yards for Wristen). They sit 26th nationally.
• CSU-Pueblo was 1st in the league and 10th in DII in red zone defense. The ThunderWolves have allowed 11 scores (7 TDs, 4 FGs) in the red zone in 17 opponent attempts (65%).
• The Pack are 4th in the nation in 3rd down conversion defense, as they allow their opponents to convert 25.7 percent of the time.
• The ThunderWolves also lead the nation in passing efficiency defense (84.18). With 144.5 passing yards allowed, the squad led the RMAC and ranks 7th 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 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 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 52-for-52 this season. He is 17-for-26 on field goal attempts. Carter led the RMAC in field goals made, while his 1.55 FG per game is 2nd nationally. He is 6-for-6 from 29 yards and in and 15-for-18 from 39 yards and closer. Carter connected on a career-long 50-yard field goal at Colorado Mesa. It ranked as 2nd the longest in the RMAC this season and T-15th in NCAA Division II in 2018. It was the first made 50-plus yard field goal for the Pack since 2013.
• With 103 points, Carter was 1st among RMAC kickers and is 5th overall in the conference (21st nationally) in scoring.
• The ThunderWolves lead Division II in net punting (40.34 yards), while P Tanner Cuda's 44.0 yards per punt ranks 4th nationally and 3rd in the league.
• In 66 attempts, Cuda has booted 17 punts more than 50 yards with his long settling at 70 yards (twice). He has landed 28 punts inside the 20 and recorded five touchbacks.
• The ThunderWolves led the RMAC and sit 3rd nationally in kickoff returns with 27.37 yards per return.
• CSU-Pueblo ranked 3rd in the league in kickoff return defense, as it allows 19.68 yards per return.
• The Pack are 2nd in the RMAC in punt returns with 10.90 yards per return.
• WR Kevin Ribarich led the RMAC with 9.5 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
