PUEBLO, Colo. (Oct. 30, 2019) - The No. 13 Colorado State University-Pueblo football team has played their 2019 road games in four different states and on Saturday, Nov. 2, will play its final regular season road game in the fifth different state, as the ThunderWolves travel to Fort Lewis College. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference contest is set to kickoff at 12 p.m.

THE GAME 

• The ThunderWolves remained the No. 13 team in the AFCA poll this week and sat tight at No. 11 in the D2Football.com poll after the 52-12 home win against Adams State.

• The Pack have won five straight and are 7-1 overall with a 6-1 RMAC record to sit alone in second in the league and trailing Mines (8-0, 7-0 RMAC). 

• Fort Lewis is 3-5 overall and in conference play. The Skyhawks have lost three straight, which includes a 31-0 road loss at Western Colorado last week. 

• The ThunderWolves own a 37-17 all-time record against the Skyhawks that dates back to 1938. 

• Since the restart in 2008, CSU-Pueblo has an 9-2 record with both the losses coming in the last two meetings in Durango in 2017 (35-24) and 2014 (23-22).

• Last year in Pueblo, the Pack recorded a 39-0 victory. The ThunderWolves totaled 358 yards of offense and allowed just 72 (17 passing). 

• RB Austin Micci had 51 yards on the ground and WR Max Fine totaled 60 yards receiving.

• ILB Kyle Rosenbrock had five tackles and a forced fumble in the win.   

• K Mitchell Carter had three field goals and 13 total points in the win. 

LAST TIME OUT 

• The ThunderWolves defense brought down six interceptions to tie a program record and returned three of those picks for six in the 52-12 RMAC win Saturday against Adams State at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl.

• The Pack scored not once, but twice on interceptions in the first quarter when linebackers Kyle Rosenbrock and Luke Conilogue returned picks for 42 and 23 yards, respectfully. 

• The points were important, as the Pack offense needed time to find a rhythm. The team's fourth interception of the first half and Conilogue's second of the day put the Pack offense at the 10-yard line and three plays later the home team led 21-9. The short field was managed by QB Gunnar Lamphere, as he rushed for seven yards and then finished the drive with a one-yard keeper past the goal line. ASU responded with a long drive that resulted in a field goal and at the break, CSU-Pueblo led 21-12. 

• A 31-0 second half gave the ThunderWolves the lopsided victory. After just 34 yards in the first half, the Pack offense got things rolling and would finish with 307 yards. Adams State collected 330 of their 439 yards in the first half. Despite being out-gained 439-307, the Pack allowed just 51 yards on the ground. ASU ran 102 plays, while the ThunderWolves totaled 66. 

• The final score of the game was an DB Amu Aukusitino 72-yard interception return for a touchdown with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth to hand the ThunderWolves their sixth interception of the game to tie the program record. CSU-Pueblo also had six interceptions against Adams State in a road game, Oct. 15, 2015.

• DB Tevin Donnell led the team with 11 tackles (nine solo) with six break-ups and a tackle for loss. OLB James Maxie added eight tackles (five solo) with 2.5 tackles for loss (-10 yards) and a sack (-5 yards) with two break-ups. 

• CB Emery Taylor brought down his second interception of the season and 19th of his career to tie the program record for career picks. He matches former All-American Stephan Dickens (2010-14). Taylor also had five tackles (four solo) with two break-ups in the game. 

• S Cory McLellan had the other interception and returned in 21 yards. In all, CSU-Pueblo totaled 180 interception return yards. 

• On the offensive side, QB Jordan Kitna got things going through the air in the second half and finished the game with 194 yards and two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He hit receivers Djimon O'Neil on a 29-yard pass five minutes into the third and found Nick Williams for a 32-yard strike with two minutes left in the 17-point third frame. Williams was the top receiver with four catches for 79 yards and the score. His long went for 36 yards. 

• K Mitchell Carter was 7-for-7 on extra points and added a 37-yard third quarter field goal to rack up 10 points. 

• P Justin Dwinell was busy, especially in the first half, as he totaled 300 yards on seven punts to average 42.9 yards per kick. He landed five punts inside the 20 and had two 50-plus yard boots with the long measuring out to be 52 yards. 

• In the run game, D.J. Penick totaled 52 yards on 12 attempts. RB Marcus Lindsay found the end zone with a fourth-quarter, five-yard rush.

SCOUTING FORT LEWIS

• The Skyhawks started 3-2, but have lost three straight to hold a 3-5 overall and league record. All three games were on the road. FLC hasn't scored in the last two games and were outscored 90-10 in those contests. 

• Fort Lewis is 2-1 at home this season with their last game in Durango coming Oct. 5 where the Skyhawks defeated Adams State, 28-9. 

• FLC is averaging just 12.9 points per game to rank 10th in the RMAC, but its 20.6 points per game allowed is 3rd in the conference.

• The Skyhawks are 2nd in the RMAC and 24th nationally with a +0.88 turnover margin, thanks to 10 fumbles recovered (1st in the RMAC and 9th in DII). 

• Fort Lewis averages 220.9 yards per game and allows 317.4 yards per contest.

• The Skyhawks rank 3rd in the conference with fewest penalties (49) and fewest penalty yards per game (429).

• RB Jeff Hansen leads the team (7th in the RMAC) with 494 rushing yards and two scores. He averages 61.8 yards per game. WR Parker Strahler is the leading receiver with 33 receptions for 308 yards.

• DB Braylan Davis is 3th in the RMAC and 16th nationally with 13 passes defended. 

• DB Max Scott and LB Darrian Stickney each have a team-best 48 tackles. Scott adds 6.5 tackles for loss (-26 yards), while the two combine for 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass break-ups and two forced and recovered fumbles.

THE POLLS 

• CSU-Pueblo finished 2018 ranked No. 7 in the AFCA and D2Football.com polls. 

• The Pack entered the season No. 7 in the D2Football.com rankings and No. 9 by the AFCA. The ThunderWolves remained No. 11 in D2Football.com and No. 13 in the AFCA polls this week. 

• 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 then-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, 2018. Wristen owns a 113-26 all-time record. The .813 percentage ranks 2nd among active NCAA Division II coaches (min 5 years).  

• Since 2008, CSU-Pueblo is undefeated when scoring 36 or more points (62-0) and when allowing 10 points or less (44-0). The Pack had done both in each of the final three games of the regular season last year and started 2019 meeting both stat lines. 

• Since 2008, the ThunderWolves are 59-12 (.831) at the ThunderBowl.

• The Pack had won 15 straight at home from 2016-2018, which ranked as the second longest current home winning streak in NCAA Division II. CSU-Pueblo had that streak broken by Mines in the home opener. 

• The Pack have 12 scoring drives of 75 yards or more, which includes a 12-play, 92-yard drive in the opener at Dixie State.  

• In the last 28 regular season games the ThunderWolves have allowed just 40 points in the fourth quarter, dating back to Sept. 16, 2017. 

• CSU-Pueblo clocked 40:17 of possession time in the opener and with 29:27 time of possession this season, the team ranks 5th in the RMAC.

• The ThunderWolves are 5th in the RMAC for fewest penalties (50) and 4th in fewest penalty yards (463). 

• With only two interceptions thrown, the Pack are 1st in the conference and T-4th in Division II. 

• The Pack will play their five regular season road games in five different states (Utah, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Mexico and Colorado).  

CSU-PUEBLO POSITION NOTABLES

OFFENSE

• RB D.J. Penick racked up 105 yards  and a touchdown on 13 carries in his debut. 

• He owns a team-best 581 rushing yards to rank 4th in the RMAC. He has eight rushing scores to rank 1st in the conference and 32nd nationally. He averages 5.9 yards per carry to rank 2nd in the RMAC. 

• RB Austin Micci has 377 yards rushing to sit 14th in the RMAC and adds three touchdowns. 

• QB Jordan Kitna made his Pack debut in the opener and went 9-for-18 (50%) with 261 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

• He has 964 passing yards to rank 6th in the RMAC. He has 15.6 yards per completion to lead the RMAC and rank 11th in Division II. His 1,057 yards of total offense is good for 6th in the league.

• He is 62-for-108 (57.4%) for four touchdowns. His 142.8 passing efficiency ranks 2nd in the RMAC.

• QB Gunnar Lamphere adds 408 yards on 41-for-79 (51.9%) passing with a touchdown.

• The team's 55.0 completion percentage is 2nd in the RMAC.

• With 193.5 rushing yards per game, the ThunderWolves are 2nd in the RMAC. 

• WR Dionte Sykes had a big debut for the Pack, as he brought in four receptions for 172 yards in the opener against Dixie State. He had receptions of 46, 50 and 70 yards and with the performance tied Paul Browning's 2013 performance of 172 receiving yards for the most receiving yards in a game since the restart in 2008. 

• He had 53 yards against Chadron State before suffering an injury that has kept him out of the lineup He owns 225 receiving yards this season.

• WR Nick Williams recorded 102 yards on six receptions against Mines for his first-career 100 yard game. He has a team-best 357 yards and two touchdowns on 22 receptions. 

• CAREER WATCH: RB Austin Micci eclipsed the 2,000 career yards mark against Fort Lewis last season to become the 9th player in program history to reach the milestone. He owns 2,606 yards to rank 5th all-time. His 186 career points is good for eighth all-time in total points.

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 and in 2018. 

• Since 2008, the Pack have totaled 42 interception returns for a touchdown. The most in a season is five by the 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2019 squads.

• The ThunderWolves have five interceptions for touchdowns this season to tie the program record. CSU-Pueblo totaled three in one game against Adams State.

• RECORD WATCH: CB Emery Taylor recorded his 19th career interception against Adams State to tie the all-time interceptions record at CSU-Pueblo. Stephan Dickens (2010-14) had 19 in his All-American career. 

• 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 23 more occasions. 

• Eight times since 2008 the ThunderWolves allowed 10 or less rushing yards, with the record standing at -68 yards this season at New Mexico Highlands. The previous record was -11 yards last season at Black Hills State.

• The Pack are 2nd in the RMAC and 8th nationally in rushing defense at 73.4 yards per game.

• By allowing 297.9 yards per game the defense sits 2nd in the RMAC at 32nd in Division II. The 17.5 points per game allowed is 2nd in the league and 25th nationally.

• OLB James Maxie leads the team and ranks 4th in the RMAC with 76 tackles (38 solo). He also has a team-best 13 tackles for loss (-63 yards) and leads the team lead with 7.0 sacks (-46 yards). Maxie ranks 3rd in the RMAC and 26th nationally with 1.6 tackles for loss per game. His 0.88 sacks per game is 4th in the conference and T-24th in DII. 

• He was named RMAC and D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Week and NFFCC Player of the Week after the win against South Dakota Mines. In that game he totaled 17 tackles to tie the program record. His 6.5 tackles for loss established a program record, while his 4.5 sacks was a half sack shy of tying the record. 

• Maxie gathered back-to-back RMAC Defensive Player of the Week honors, as he was recognized Oct. 14 for his eight tackles (five solo), 2.5 tackles for loss (-20 yards), a sack (-14 yards) and a fumble recovery. 

• ILB Kyle Rosenbrock adds 60 tackles (24 solo). His 11 tackles for loss (-42 yards) is tied for 2nd on the team and T-5th in the RMAC. Rosenbrock owns 5.5 sacks (-30 yards)to rank T-8th in the league. He had an interception returned for a touchdown (42 yards) against Adams State.

• DE Jackson Wibbels has 50 tackles (20 solo) with 11 tackles for loss (-57 yards) to rank T-5th in the conference, while his 6.0 sacks (-45 yards) sits T-6th in the league. 

• OLB Trevor Philio has 5.0 sacks (-31 yards) and 8.5 tackles for loss (-40 yards) with 41 total tackles (19 solo). His sack total is 10th in the RMAC.

• DB Tevin Donnell is T-4th in the RMAC and T-21st nationally with 9 break-ups. His 10 passes defended is T-6th.   

SPECIAL TEAMS

• K Mitchell Carter is 9-for-14 on field goal attempts with a long of 39 yards. Four of his misses have come from beyond 40 yards. He is 31-for-33 on extra points for 58 points, which leads the team and ranks 3rd in the conference. His nine field goals is T-3rd most in the RMAC.

• Redshirt-freshman punter Justin Dwinell has taken over punting duties and has placed 19 punts inside the 20. He averages 41.7 yards per kick to lead the RMAC and rank 21st nationally. He has 10 50+ yard punts and a long of 77 yards, which is the third longest in NCAA Division II this season. 

• He has a touchdown this season after picking up a fumbled snap on a punt attempt, Dwinell returned it 80 yards for a touchdown against CMU.

• Dwinell was the key in the victory against A&M-Commerce and earned RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week. He had two 50-plus yard punts, which included a long of 61 yards that went out of bounds at the one yard line. He also had four of his seven punts land inside the 20. He totaled 297 yards for an average of 42.4 yards per punt. His efforts helped limit Lion returner Dominique Ramsey to two returns for 24 yards. Ramsey entered the game fourth in Division II in punt returns with 24.7 yards per return and was just one week removed from returning a punt 55 yards for a score.

• He was named RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week and D2Football.com Special Teams Player of the Week after the win at New Mexico Highlands. He totaled 313 yards on six punts to average 52.2 yards per punt (ranks as 9th best in DII this season), which included a long of 77 yards (ranks 3rd in DII this season). He had three travel more than 50 yards.

• WR Isaiah Diggs has returned 23 punts and totaled 192 yards to average 8.4 yards per return, which ranks 5th in the RMAC.

#PACKPROS: CSU-Pueblo has four former players in the NFL right now. Ryan Jensen (2009-12) is in his seventh season  and second 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 when he signed with the Bucaneers. 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, the defensive lineman suffered a knee injury during OTAs and missed the 2018 season. He returns to the active 53-man roster for 2019. Defensive lineman Deyon Sizer (2014-18) earned a spot on the Denver Broncos practice squad for 2019 after a successful rookie mini-camp tryout and summer with the team. Mike Pennel (2013) has five seasons of NFL experience (Green Bay, New York Jets). He was cut during camp in August by New England, but signed Oct. 21 by the Kansas City Chiefs. Darius Allen (2011-14) is currently in his fourth season in the Canadian Football League. As of Sept. 6 he was on the BC Lions' 6-game injured list. 

VS. RANKED SQUADS: CSU-Pueblo owns a 20-9 (13-5 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.