PUEBLO, Colo. (Nov. 5, 2019) - The No. 11 Colorado State University-Pueblo football team will celebrate its annual Military Appreciation Day Saturday, Nov. 9 when the ThunderWolves entertain Black Hills State University at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference contest is set for a 12 p.m. kickoff.
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Active and retired military (with ID) and up to four immediate family members will earn free admission to the game. Tickets can be purchased at the Massari Arena Ticket Office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or by calling (719) 549-2050. The Pack have partnered with the Chemical Depot to have a large American flag on the field during the national anthem. Also, during the anthem, L3 Harris Aviation is planning a fly-over of the ThunderBowl. All former and active military in attendance will be recognized during the game and there will be additional recognitions on the field.
THE GAME
• The ThunderWolves improved by two spots to No. 11 in the AFCA poll this week and moved up as spot to No. 10 in the D2Football.com poll after the 21-13 road win against Fort Lewis.
• The Pack have won six straight and are 8-1 overall with a 7-1 RMAC record to sit alone in second in the league and trailing Mines (9-0, 8-0 RMAC).
• Black Hills State is 2-7 overall and in RMAC play to sit ninth in the conference standings. The Yellow Jackets have lost three straight and enter the contest 0-4 in road games this season.
• The ThunderWolves are a perfect 7-0 against Black Hills State in their short history that dates back to 2012.
• The Pack are 3-0 all-time at home against the Yellow Jackets. In those three home games CSU-Pueblo has scored at least 45 points and are outscoring BHSU 143-20. In the last home game in 2017, the Pack won 49-0.
• In all seven meetings the ThunderWolves have scored at least 42 points. Last season in Spearfish, S.D., CSU-Pueblo won 59-0.
• CSU-Pueblo has shutout BHSU for 10 straight quarters.
• The Pack ran for 485 yards and allowed -11 rushing yards. CSU-Pueblo totaled 659 yards and gave up just 108. The ThunderWolves had six interceptions in the game.
• RB Austin Micci ran for 120 yards and a touchdown and added a team-best 55 yards receiving.
• RB Marcus Lindsay ran for 103 yards and a TD.
• ILB Kyle Rosenbrock led the defense with eight tackles and three tackles for loss.
• CB Emery Taylor totaled four tackles and had two interceptions with an additional break-up.
LAST TIME OUT
• The ThunderWolves finished the regular season a perfect 5-0 on the road when it defeated Fort Lewis, 21-13.
• The Pack found success through the air and passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The CSU-Pueblo defense added two more interceptions to their season total, which is now at 18. The Pack entered the contest ranked tied for second in interceptions in NCAA Division II.
• QB Jordan Kitna went 16-for-24 (66.7%) for 240 yards and two touchdown strikes. He didn't throw an interception and had a long pass of 50 yards. On the receiving end of the 50-yarder was WR Nick Williams, as he surpassed 100 yards for the second time this season. Williams finished with 106 yards on five receptions and one score. WR Djimon O'Neil caught the other touchdown, a 16-yard connection.
• The Pack defense was guided by OLB James Maxie, as he compiled 11 tackles (two solo) with 1.5 tackles for loss (-2 yards). DE Jackson Wibbels added six tackles (two solo) with 2.5 tackles for loss (-8 yards) and a half sack (-4 yards). OLB Trevor Philio added five tackles (two solo) with 1.5 sacks (-23 yards) and three hurries. DB Amu Aukusitino had four tackles (2 solo) and one of the interceptions (his second in as many games). CB Marcus Lawrence had an interception for his team-best fourth of the season.
• After a scoreless first quarter, RB Marcus Lindsay found the end zone 50 seconds into the second. The two-yard rush capped a 14-play, 79-yard drive that ate up 7:13 of game clock.
• Fort Lewis responded on their next possession with a 50-yard pass play to the end zone.
• With 37 seconds remaining before half, Williams broke multiple tackles to get free on a 36-yard pass and catch to the paint. The score handed the road team a 14-7 lead at the break.
• After an interception by Aukusitino, the ThunderWolves only needed six plays to go 77 yards to increase the lead to 21-7 with 10:48 remaining in the third quarter. Kitna and Williams' 50-yard connection put the Pack in Skyhawk territory, then Kitna found O'Neil on a 16-yard play.
• The Skyhawks made things interesting with a touchdown with 3:12 remaining in regulation. A missed extra point moved the score to 21-13.
• FLC got a stop on defense and the ball back with 1:25 remaining in the game. The Pack defense stood tall to shut the door on a comeback, as CSU-Pueblo celebrated its perfect regular season road record and snapped a two-game losing streak in Durango.
• The fourth quarter points by FLC were the first by an opponent since week three against Mines. The Pack have only allowed 20 fourth quarter points this season.
SCOUTING BLACK HILLS STATE
• The Yellow Jackets are 2-7 overall and in conference play to rank ninth in the league standings. Both the wins have come at home, as BHSU is 0-4 on the road in 2019
• Black Hills State is on a three-game skid with the last loss coming at home to Western Colorado by the score of 42-21.
• The Yellow Jackets are scoring 23 points per game (8th in the RMAC) and are allowing a league-worst 38.8 points per contest. The team ranks 7th in total offense with 315.8 yards per game, while the 463.2 yards per contest allowed is last in the conference
• The team ranks 2nd in the RMAC in least penalties (49) and in least penalty yards (411).
• WR Kielar Harpham is 3rd in the conference in receiving yards per game at 79.3. He has 57 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns. He is also a weapon in the return game with 177 kick return yards and 42 punt return yards. With his additional 105 yards rushing, Harpham ranks 3rd in the RMAC with 1,038 all-purpose yards (115.3 ypg).
• DB Josh Gurnaby leads the team and ranks 4th in the league in tackles with 84 (40 solo). He adds eight pass break-ups and a forced fumble.
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 moved into the top 10 at No. 10 in D2Football.com and are up two spots to No. 11 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 114-26 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 (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 15 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 46 points in the fourth quarter, dating back to Sept. 16, 2017. The Pack allowed six points in the fourth to Fort Lewis, which were the first fourth quarter points allowed since week three against Mines. The team has given up just 19 fourth quarter points this season.
• CSU-Pueblo clocked 40:17 of possession time in the opener and with 29:43 time of possession this season, the team ranks 5th in the RMAC.
• The ThunderWolves are 4th in the RMAC for fewest penalties (59) and 4th in fewest penalty yards (528).
• With only two interceptions thrown, the Pack are 1st in the conference and T-4th in Division II. On the other side of the ball, the ThunderWolves have 18 interceptions this season (14 in the last five games) to rank third in Division II. CSU-Pueblo has a league-best +11 turnover margin (13th nationally) and has 80 points off turnovers in 2019.
• The Pack played their five regular season road games in five different states (Utah, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Mexico and Colorado).
• Both OLB James Maxie and P Justin Dwinell earned RMAC Player of the Week awards this week. It was the second time they both were honored the same week and the third weekly recognition for each of them this season.
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 613 rushing yards to rank 6th in the RMAC. He has eight rushing scores to rank T-2nd in the league. He averages 5.4 yards per carry to rank 4th in the RMAC.
• RB Austin Micci has 483 yards rushing to sit 12th 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 1,204 passing yards to rank 4th in the RMAC. He has 15.4 yards per completion to rank 2nd in the RMAC and 15th in Division II. Kitna's 9.12 yards per pass attempt is 11th in DII. His 149.2 passing efficiency ranks 2nd in the RMAC.
• Kitna is 78-for-132 (59.1%) for six touchdowns. His 1,300 yards of total offense is 5th in the league.
• QB Gunnar Lamphere adds 408 yards on 41-for-79 (51.9%) passing with a touchdown.
• The team's 56.3 completion percentage is 2nd in the RMAC. The Pack's 129.86 team passing efficiency is good for 4th in the league.
• With 183.3 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. At Fort Lewis he brought down five receptions for 106 yards and a score. He has a team-best 463 yards (9th in the RMAC) and three touchdowns on 27 receptions.
• CSU-Pueblo ranks 4th in the league in sacks allowed at 2.11 per game.
• 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.
• With 18 interceptions (14 in the last five games) the Pack lead the RMAC and sit 3rd in Division II. The ThunderWolves lead the RMAC and rank 17th in DII with a team passing efficiency defense rating of 102.8.
• 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. With six defensive touchdowns this season (recovered fumble in the end zone on special teams), the Pack are T-2nd nationally.
• CB Marcus Lawrence leads the team with four interceptions. He adds eight pass breakups for the second most on the team. His 12 passes defended is good for T-5th in the RMAC.
• DB Tevin Donnell is T-7th in the RMAC and T-21st nationally with a team-best nine break-ups. His 10 passes defended is T-9th.
• 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 24 more occasions.
• Nine 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. This season against Fort Lewis, the Skyhawks finished with -3 yards.
• The Pack are 2nd in the RMAC and 6th nationally in rushing defense at 65.6 yards per game.
• By allowing 298.0 yards per game the defense sits 2nd in the RMAC at 31st in Division II. The 17.0 points per game allowed is 2nd in the league and 23rd nationally.
• CSU-Pueblo ranks 3rd in the conference and 17th nationally in team tackles for loss (8.3 TFL per game). With 3.67 sacks per game the pack are 2nd in the conference and 5th nationally.
• OLB James Maxie leads the team, ranks 3rd in the RMAC and 28th nationally with 87 tackles (40 solo). He also has a team-best 14.5 tackles for loss (-65 yards) and leads the team lead with 7.0 sacks (-46 yards). Maxie ranks 3rd in the RMAC and 17th nationally with 1.6 tackles for loss per game. His sack total is T-5th in the conference.
• Maxie is a three-time RMAC Defensive Player of the Week award winner. 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.
• He grabbed the award again after the win at Fort Lewis where he totaled 11 tackles (2 solo) with 1.5 tackles for loss (-2 yards).
• ILB Kyle Rosenbrock adds 62 tackles (25 solo). His 11 tackles for loss (-42 yards) is 3rd on the team and T-9th in the RMAC. Rosenbrock owns 5.5 sacks (-30 yards) to rank T-10th in the league. He had an interception returned for a touchdown (42 yards) against Adams State.
• DE Jackson Wibbels has 56 tackles (22 solo) with 13.5 tackles for loss (-65 yards) to rank 4th in the conference, while his 6.5 sacks (-49 yards) sits T-7th in the league.
• OLB Trevor Philio has 6.5 sacks (-54 yards) and 10 tackles for loss (-63 yards) with 46 total tackles (21 solo). His sack total is T-7th in the RMAC.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• K Mitchell Carter is 9-for-15 on field goal attempts with a long of 39 yards. Four of his misses have come from beyond 40 yards. He is 34-for-37 on extra points for 61 points, which leads the team and ranks T-6th 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 21 punts inside the 20. He averages 40.96 yards per kick to rank 4th in the RMAC and 30th nationally. He has 11 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 has three RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week awards this season.
• He 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.
• Following his performance against Fort Lewis, Dwinell earned RMAC Special Teams Player of the week for the third time. He totaled 212 yards on six punts to average 35.3 yards per punt. He placed three inside the 20 yard line and recorded a long punt of 56 yards.
• WR Isaiah Diggs has returned 26 punts and totaled 221 yards to average 8.5 yards per return, which ranks 6th 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 Nov. 5 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.
