MANKATO, Minn. (Nov. 24, 2018) – The No. 9 Colorado State University-Pueblo football team's 2018 season came to an end Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs with a 24-10 loss at No. 1 Minnesota State University, Mankato. 
 
The ThunderWolves close the season with an 11-2 overall record. The Pack totaled 10 or more wins for the sixth time in the last eight years, made their sixth NCAA Division II postseason appearance and won their seventh Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship since 2011.
 
A 17-point second quarter and a touchdown in the first six minutes of the third put the Mavericks ahead 24-0. The Pack totaled just 90 yards in the first half, while MSU gathered 232. 
 
CSU-Pueblo scored the final 10 points, all in the third quarter. Senior Bernard McDondle (RB, Littleton, Colo.) capped a six-play, 66-yard drive with a 27-yard run to the paint with 6:50 left in the quarter. 
 
On the ensuing Maverick possession, senior corner Darius Williams' (Gilbert, Ariz.) second interception of the game handed the ball back to the Pack. The ThunderWolves drove down to the five-yard-line before being forced to kick of a 22-yard field goal off the foot of sophomore Mitchell Carter (K, Colorado Springs, Colo.). 
 
The Pack were able to get to midfield or into MSU territory on all five of their final possessions, but never closer than the 33-yard line to cut into the deficit. The fourth quarter went scoreless and the ThunderWovles would fall 24-10. 
 
In the end, the Mavericks would total 329 yards (97 in the second half) with a balanced 187 through the air and 142 on the ground. The Pack totaled 291 yards with a season-low 91 rushing. 
 
Both teams finished with three turnovers, as the Pack gathered three interceptions. Williams didn't have an interception during the regular season, but totaled three in two playoff games. In the loss Saturday he also added four pass break-ups with two tackles. 
 
Williams finished his career with 17 interceptions to rank tied for second all-time at CSU-Pueblo with Taylor. 
 
The Pack finished the season with 28 interceptions, one shy of the program record of 29, set by the 2014 team (played 15 games). In all, the Pack produced 45 turnovers. 
 
The ThunderWolves had eight tackles for loss in the game (-23 yards). The Pack entered the game leading NCAA Division II in the category and finished the season with 136 tackles for loss, which resulted in 505 lost yards for their opponents. 
 
Junior Jackson Wibbels (DE, Colorado Springs, Colo.) led the team with nine tackles (five solo) and two tackles for loss (-5 yards). Junior safety Tanner Draper (Amarillo, Texas) also compiled nine tackles (four solo) with one tackle for loss (-2 yards). Junior corner Emery Taylor (Aurora, Colo.) gathered eight tackles (two solo.). 
 
Senior inside linebacker Brandon Payer (Pine, Colo.) had four tackles (two solo) to total 102 this season and record three consecutive seasons with 100-plus tackles. He closed his decorated career with 374 tackles, which is a modern era (since 2008) record and ranks second all-time in program history. His 53 tackles for loss was also second in program lore. 
 
Senior quarterback Brandon Edwards (Bothell, Wash.) recorded a career-high 45 passing attempts. He was 18-for-45 for 172 yards and after throwing just one interception all season (week three), had two picks. Multiple drops in a cold game affected Edward's completion percentage where temperatures were in the low 30's. 
 
Senior Kevin Ribarich (Pueblo, Colo.) was the top receiver with five receptions for 55 yards. Senior John Todd (San Diego, Calif.) also brought in five receptions to total 41 yards. 
 
The run game was slowed by the Mavericks defense (ranked No. 8 nationally in rush defense). McDondle was the lead rusher with 66 yards on seven carries (9.4 ypc) and a score. 
 
McDondle finished his career with 2,816 rushing yards to rank fourth all-time at CSU-Pueblo. Senior Marché Dennard (Phoenix, Ariz.) posted 28 yards in the game and closed his collegiate career with 2,561 yards to rank fifth. 
 
CSU-Pueblo is 6-5 all-time in NCAA Division II playoff games (doesn't include 2-1 record in 2015 due to self-reported NCAA violation). The Pack have played Minnesota State three times in the last five postseasons and all three times the Mavericks were ranked No. 1. The ThunderWolves are now 1-2 in those three meetings.
 
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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