LAS VEGAS, N.M. – A late comeback attempt was not enough for the (RV) Colorado State University Pueblo football team (4-3, 4-1) Saturday afternoon, as the ThunderWolves fell to the Cowboys from New Mexico Highlands University (2-5, 2-4), 28-21.
 
The Cowboys were led by a high-powered offense that saw consistent play at quarterback. The first series of the game, the Highlands offense showed off its prowess and finished off the 75-yard drive with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ramone Atkins.
 
The Pack answered with a long drive of their own. Quarterback Devin Williams riddled the defense and drove down to the New Mexico Highlands 28. The Cowboys defense kept the Pack from driving any further as they had to settle for a 45-yard field goal into the wind. The strong leg of Dean Faithfull drove the kick over the uprights with plenty of power and put the ThunderWolves trailing 7-3 in the first.
 
Neither defense surrendered any more scores in the opening quarter and headed into the second in a tight contest. 
 
The Cowboys struck for more points in the second. With 9:28 remaining in the first half, the Cowboys took a 14-3 lead after a five-yard touchdown run. The ThunderWolves looked for a response and found one late in the half.
 
Williams connected deep with Nigel Mitchell as the speedy receiver out-ran the ensuing cornerback and crossed the goal line off a 47-yard catch-and-run. The 14-10 deficit still hung over the Pack nearing halftime.
 
Highlands looked for one more score before the break. The Cowboys took advantage of penalties and crossed in the end zone as time expired to put the hosts on top 21-10 at the break.
 
The third quarter featured the stifling defense Pack football has been known for producing. The ThunderWolves did not allow a score in the third period after they stopped the Cowboys on multiple occasions and forced a missed 42-yard field goal.
 
Unfortunately for the Pack, CSU Pueblo could not push anything across in the third either as they headed into the fourth quarter trailing 21-10.
 
New Mexico Highlands pushed in one more touchdown to expand the Pack deficit to 28-10 with 14:11 remaining in the game.
 
CSU Pueblo needed to strike with a score. After a long 14-play drive, the Pack struck for the end zone again. This time, Williams found Max Fine in the end zone for a fourth down touchdown. To lessen the deficit, the ThunderWolves went for a two-point conversion and converted with another pass from Williams, this time to Preston Guerra. CSU Pueblo still had work to do, behind 28-18.
The Pack defense held strong and forced a three-and-out by the Cowboys to get the ball back in the offense's hands.
 
Charging down the field in a hurry, Williams passed to three different receivers on a 45-yard drive downfield. After being stopped on a third and long, Faithfull put through another field goal, this time from 42 yards to bring the game down to one score, 28-21.
 
The Pack defense once again stood strong as Ikenna Onwuasoanya stripped Atkins with Trevor Philio jumping on the ball. The Pack offense could not break through on the ensuing possession and were stopped on fourth down with just under four minutes remaining.
 
The Thunderwolves got the ball back once more with just over two minutes to play. Although the drive got down to Highlands' 18, the Pack offense was not able to draw any closer amd were stopped as time winded down.
 
Highlands took two kneel downs and clinched the upset of the Pack.
 
The loss marks the third of the season as CSU Pueblo now moves to 4-3 on the season and 4-1 in RMAC play.
 
Williams finished the day with a career high of 53 pass attempts and 28 completions while throwing for two touchdowns on the afternoon. Williams connected with Andrew Cook three times for 61 yards and Mitchell on occasions for 65 yards and touchdown. 
 
Despite the loss, the Pack defense racked up eight tackles for loss highlighted by Onwuasoanya's 2.5 and Philio's 2.0. Dominick Fini and Philio each tallied a sack as well.
 
CSU Pueblo looks to pick rebound from the road loss as the team heads back home for the first time since Oct. 2 for another RMAC showcase. The Pack face Adams State at 2 p.m. on Saturday for CSU Pueblo's Homecoming event.