PUEBLO, Colo. (Oct. 22, 2021) - The Colorado State University football team (4-3, 4-1) looks to bounce back following a tough upset loss to New Mexico Highlands on the road last week, as the ThunderWolves host the Grizzlies from Adams State University (0-7, 0-5) for a 2 p.m. Homecoming battle at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl Saturday afternoon.
The Pack fell to New Mexico Highlands on Oct. 16 in a 28-21 heartbreaking road game. This week, CSU Pueblo hosts a hungry Adams State team as the two teams renew their rivalry that dates back to the beginning of CSU Pueblo as a four-year institution.
As part of this week's homecoming festivities, CSU Pueblo will be honoring both the 2020 and 2021 CSU Pueblo Hall of Fame classes. The Class of 2021, which consists of the 2014 National Championship winning football team, will be inducted Friday night at 6 p.m. in the OSC Ballroom on campus. The team will once again be honored during the game between the first and second quarters.
The 2020 class consists of five student athletes, the 2001 softball team that won the school's first RMAC Championship, and a special contributor who also was a student-athlete and coach. The 2020 class will be honored during halftime.
THE GAME
The ThunderWolves enter week eight after being upset by New Mexico Highlands to mark their first tally in the RMAC loss column.
The Pack enter the match-up with Adams State with a rich history that spans back 36 contests with this one being the 37th.
Since 2008, the Pack have owned the home-field advantage as they have racked up a 64-13 record since the reboot.
CSU Pueblo has only dropped six homecoming games in its history, spanning back to 1963. The Pack have won each homecoming match-up since 2008 and have not dropped a homecoming game since 1984 when USC fell to Southern Utah.
The last time Adams State and CSU Pueblo played in the ThunderBowl for homecoming, the Pack won 63-17 back in 2017.
The Pack had their win streak of four games snapped last week at New Mexico Highlands as they now sit at fourth in the RMAC.
CSU Pueblo is 11-1 against the Grizzlies since 2008 and have only allowed more than 17 points on one occasion in the same time span.
Adams State has had a challenging year thus far, starting 0-7 on slate after its most recent loss to Chadron State.
After a year as an interim head coach, Jarrell Harrison was named as the 24th coach in Adams State football history.
SERIES NOTES
The ThunderWolves and Grizzlies are meeting for the 37th time all-time as the longest head-to-head history for CSU Pueblo.
CSU Pueblo took the last match-up between the two teams 52-12 at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl.
The series dates back 36 contests with CSU Pueblo owning the series 24-10-2 and 11-1 since the 2008 reboot.
The ThunderWolves have shut-out the Grizzlies three times since 2008 and have limited them to seven points or fewer on two more occasions.
Since the 2008 reboot, the Pack defense has only allowed more than 17 points on one occasion against the Grizzlies.
LAST TIME OUT
CSU Pueblo was stunned in Las Vegas, N.M. as the Cowboys from New Mexico Highlands upset the Pack 28-21 after holding off a late Thunderwolves surge.
In the loss to Highlands, the Pack were out-dueled on offense as the Cowboys quarterback ran for 79 yards on top of 252 yards passing.
QB Devin Williams threw for a season-high 246 yards off 28-52 passing on the day. Williams passed for two touchdowns and connected with 10 different receivers on the day which included seven receivers making two or more receptions.
RB Michael Roots highlighted the ground game in the loss with 70 yards rushing off 15 carries. The Pack netted 85 total rushing yards.
WR Nigel Mitchell caught a 47-yard pass from Williams to cruise in for his third touchdown of the season. The third touchdown of the season for Mitchell also marked his longest reception of the year for the speedy sophomore.
Despite the offensive troubles and early Cowboys scores, the Pack defense stood strong in the second half limiting the Highlands offense to one score.
LB Patrick Howell logged an interception for the second consecutive game.
DL Trey Botts led the Pack with 11 total tackles on the afternoon while picking up 1.5 tackles for loss.
LB Trevor Philio led the Pack's defense with 2.0 tackles for loss and a solo sack to energize the stifling defense.
The defense started off slow after they surrendered 21 points in the first half.
DL Ikenna Onwuasoanya racked up 2.5 tackles for loss which included another sack for the senior transfer on the year. Onwuasoanya and Philio lead the team with 10.0 tackles for loss on the season.
11 of the first downs were picked up by the passing of Williams. The 11 Williams passing first downs out-paced that of the Cowboys 11-10.
P Justin Dwinell continued his impressive season in his appearance at Highlands. In his five punt attempts, Dwinell landed two 50-yard kicks and another of 49 yards.
The specialist landed four punts inside the 20-yard line. Dwinell booted one punt down to the 3-yard line and another to the 7-yard line.
Dwinell ranks third in the nation with an average punt of 44.2 yards per punt as the sophomore leads the RMAC in the same category. Following the strong performance against New Mexico Highlands, Dwinell ranks 5th in the nation in net punting at 39.1 yards per punt.
The ThunderWolves kicked off their season with a defensively dominated 12-6 loss to No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce.
Week two featured a hostile road trip to No. 14 Grand Valley State where the Pack fell to the Lakers 34-14 in front of a rambunctious crowd of 11,000 strong.
Week three featured the Pack's first victory of the season over with a 19-16 win over RMAC foe, Black Hills State. The Yellow Jackets nearly completed a 16-point comeback, but the Pack staved off the attempt by controlling the final five minutes of the game.
In week four the Pack offense came alive and put up 474 total yards of offense. The 474 yards were the most gained since the 2019 season and were capped off by a 49-7 domineering win.
In another thrilling contest, the Pack completed a minor seven-point comeback over Colorado Mesa while compiling a defensively dominated second half. The comeback featured the ThunderWolves grinding out a double overtime victory over the Mavericks.
The Pack dominated the Eagles from the second quarter on in week six. The ThunderWolves compiled over 400 yards of offense which featured a 28-point third quarter.
Finally, in their last outing, the Pack fell after a hard hitting second half comeback attempt. The Pack scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and had their final drive halted with just 40 seconds to play as they came up just short in a 28-21 RMAC loss.
SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
Adams State has struggled in the 2021 campaign, as the Grizzlies have not been able to find their way into the win column thus far.
The Grizzlies have been in games late this season but have not been able to close out. Adams State took Black Hills State to double overtime and narrowly lose 51-48 in week four.
Despite the tough losses, Adams has been able to take care of the ball and sit 14th in the nation off a 1.14 turnover margin.
The Grizzlies have three losses decided by 10 points or less which include a high-scoring 45-42 loss to South Dakota Mines that included a late touchdown as the decider.
The Adams State defense has allowed 41.57 points per game while its offense has averaged just 25 points per game
While Adams does not struggle putting up points, the Grizzlies have allowed 80 points in the first quarter alone this year. In the same realm, the team has also allowed 63 points in the fourth quarter that have allowed late surges for teams that were trailing the Grizzlies before.
While the Grizzlies have struggled on offense, the limited turnovers are in part due to the quarterback successes of only committing 11 interceptions thus far. This has ranked the Grizzlies the top of the RMAC in the interception category.
After a year as an interim head coach, Jarrell Harrison was named as the 24th coach in Adams State football history.
THE POLLS
The Pack entered the season No. 12 in the D2Football.com and the AFCA polls. The ThunderWolves are one of two RMAC teams with a top 25 ranking in either poll to begin the season.
CSU Pueblo finished 2018 ranked No. 7 in the AFCA and D2Football.com polls.
In the second week of the AFCA Coaches' Poll, CSU Pueblo dropped to No. 19 following the heartbreaking loss to No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce and are received votes following the traveling loss to GVSU and the wins over Black Hills State, South Dakota Mines, Colorado Mesa, and Chadron State.
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 122-30 all-time record.
Since 2008, CSU Pueblo is undefeated when scoring 36 or more points (64-0) and when allowing 10 points or less (47-0).
Since 2008, the ThunderWolves are 65-12 (.838) at the ThunderBowl.
The Pack 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.
CSU Pueblo had a league-best +23 turnover margin in 2019. The next best team was at +7. Their 1.92 turnover margin per game was good for 1st nationally, while the 35 takeaways was tied for 1st in Division II heading into the Pack's final game.
The Pack have accumulated five defensive touchdowns so far on the season to rank first in the nation in a tie with Bowie State.
The Pack played in five different states this season. The ThunderWolves traveled to Michigan, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico.
The ThunderWolves have now racked up one D2Ftooball.com Player of the Week, RMAC Player of the Week, and NFFCC Player of the Week award. LB Trevor Philio pulled in the NFFCC Player of the Week following his dominating defensive play against Colorado Mesa. P Justin Dwinell earned the D2Football.com and RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. This marks his fifth career RMAC honor and second D2Football.com honor.
CSU PUEBLO POSITION NOTABLES
OFFENSE
QB Devin Williams emerged as the starting quarterback in week six at Chadron. Williams is a senior transfer from Texas Southern who has split time under center with R-Fr. Steven Croell since Gunnar Lamphere went down due to injury.
In Williams' first start for the Pack, he excelled in his new role. Williams passed for a Pack season-high 219 yards off 23-31 passing. Williams also completed three touchdown passes to three different receivers.
Williams owns the two longest passes on the season as he completed an 83-yard pass to WR Andrew Cook in the win at South Dakota Mines and then another 54-yarder to WR Max Fine against Chadron.
In the loss the Highlands, Williams threw for a Pack season-high in yards (252), attempts (52), and completions (28).
RB Michael Roots was able to have a breakout game against the Hardrockers. Roots compiled 145 yards off 14 carries with a game-long 53-yard rush. The senior transfer compiled two touchdown rushes in the victory to tally his first scores as a CSU Pueblo running back.
Following his breakout performance against South Dakota Mines, Roots led the way against Colorado Mesa with an 80-yard performance on the ground.
Roots broke out two rushes over 40 yards in the South Dakota Mines win off his best performance of the year. The Central Washington transfer leads the Pack with 359 yards on the ground off 65 total rushes.
In his performance against Chadron State, the running back exploded again. Roots compiled three total touchdowns off 136 yards rushing and 37 yards receiving.
WR Nick Williams leads all Pack receivers after he tallied up 13 catches in the past two weeks. Williams now leads the Pack with 27 receptions and is ties with 228 total yards. In the win over Colorado Mesa, Williams completed a 14-yard touchdown pass the WR Nigel Mitchell to tie up the ballgame late in the game. Then, in double overtime, Williams received a 17-yard pass from Croell. Williams fought his way into the end zone and completed the game-winning touchdown.
WR Andrew Cook is also tied with 228 yards on the season as the speedy receiver has broken out multiple long receptions on the year which included an 83-yard touchdown pass against South Dakota Mines.
WR Max Fine continues to be one of the favorite targets for the Pack, leading the team with 19 catches and 219 yards receiving on top of two touchdowns.
The junior also has racked up 10.4 yards per return on special teams off 14 total returns to rank 22nd in the nation for all punt returners.
DEFENSE
The Pack have owned 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.
LB Patrick Howell turned in another touchdown for the Pack two weeks ago at Chadron State as the linebacker snagged a pass out of the air and ran it back for a 25 yard touchdown.
LB Trevor Philio has wreaked havoc for opposing offenses all year. Philio is tied for the Pack with 10 tackles for loss and leads the team with 5.5 sacks.
DL Ikenna Onwuasoanya highlighted the defensive efforts for the Pack against Texas A&M-Commerce as he finished with 2.5 tackles for loss and added on a sack to his line score.
Onwuasoanya headlined his Pack debut with seven tackles. The senior transfer now has 10.0 tackles for loss. He also sits at 32 total tackles on the season.
The defense in week one shut down the Texas A&M-Commerce offense and prevented the Lions from marching down the field. The Lions were only able to muster up 214 total yards on 64 plays.
The stifling defense by the Pack limited the two high powered offenses of No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce and No. 14 Grand Valley State to low passing efficiencies and limited yardage.
The Pack rank 23rd in the nation in Scoring Defense at 18.1 points per game and sit 21st in Defensive Pass Efficiency.
S Cory McLellan nabbed the Pack's first interception for a touchdown on the season in the loss to Grand Valley State. McLellan's pick-six almost shifted the tide against the Lakers, but not enough to overturn the final result.
S Tanner Draper tallied his first career pick six in week 5 vs. South Dakota Mines, where he ran back an interception for a 30-yard return
Since 2008, the Pack have totaled 47 interception returns for a touchdown. The most in a season is eight, occurring in 2019. The ThunderWolves produced five in 2010, 2014 and 2017 and now sit at three for the current season.
The ThunderWolves had eight interceptions for touchdowns in 2019 to set the program record. CSU Pueblo totaled three in one game against Adams State. With 13 defensive touchdowns since the beginning of 2019, the Pack are first nationally.
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 26 more occasions.
Nine times since 2008 the ThunderWolves allowed 10 or fewer rushing yards, with the all-time record standing at -68 yards this season at New Mexico Highlands. The previous record was -11 yards last season at Black Hills State.
DB Sam Warren has 35 tackles on the season to lead all defensive backs. He also has tallied two pass break-ups and two interceptions to round out his defensive stat-line.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Dean Faithfull is ranked second in the RMAC for field goal percentage and sits 38th in the nation (.700). He kicked two field goals as the only points for the Pack in the loss to Texas A&M-Commerce and has since tacked on seven more to bring the total to nine. Faithfull knocked through a 29-yard FG and a 33-yard FG against the Lions.
Faithfull joins the Pack in 2021 after returning to collegiate athletics after a long hiatus since his time as a soccer player at Florida Tech. Faithfull graduated from Florida Tech in 2010 after playing four years with the Panthers as a defender.
Redshirt sophomore punter Justin Dwinell took over punting duties in 2019 and placed 29 punts inside the 20. He averaged 41.0 yards per kick to rank third in the RMAC and 23rd nationally. He has 14 50+ yard punts and a long of 77 yards, which is the 5th longest in NCAA Division II this season.
The sophomore punter sits at second in the nation for total punting as he averages 44.2 yards per punt. He trails the national leader by just .3 yards.
Dwinell ranks 5th in the nation with an average net punt of 39.10 yards per punt as the sophomore leads the RMAC in the same category.
Dwinell clinched his fifth career RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week honor and second career D2Football.com Player of the Week honor with the performance against Colorado Mesa. The punter kicked for a season-high 374 yards off seven attempts while landing four punts inside the 20 and logging four punts over 50 yards.
In week two, the punter stood out as a key player on special teams, logging eight punts for over 350 yards and tallying two punts over 50 yards.
Once again against Black Hills State, Dwinell shined. He logged five punts for over 200 yards while pinning the Yellow Jackets inside their own 20-yard line twice.
Dwinell excelled in his four punt appearances against South Dakota Mines as he logged his fourth consecutive game with at least two punts in side the 20 and another over 50 yards.
He had a touchdown in the 2019 season after picking up a fumbled snap on a punt attempt, Dwinell returned it 80 yards for a touchdown against CMU.
Dwinell had four RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week awards and two D2Football.com Special Teams Player of the Week honors in the 2019 season.
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