PUEBLO, Colo. (Nov. 4, 2021) - The Colorado State University Pueblo football team (6-3, 6-1) is set to host No. 13 Colorado School of Mines (8-1, 7-1) Saturday at 2 p.m. for the ThunderWolves' Senior Day. 22 seniors from the football team and nine cheer and dance seniors will be recognized during the action packed Saturday battle.

The Pack are 7-6 against the Orediggers since 2008 and fell in their most recent battle back in 2019, 34-14 at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl. This weekend's battle features two teams tied atop the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) standings, each suffering one loss in league play thus far. 

THE GAME 

The ThunderWolves head into the critical Week 10 match-up with Colorado School of Mines coming off the biggest blow-out win in school history after defeating Fort Lewis 73-0 in Durango.

The Pack enter the match-up with Mines with a history dating back 30 contests, with this being the 31st.

Since 2008, the Pack have maintained a successful Senior Day record of 11-1, falling only to Adams State in the 2008 reboot season.

CSU Pueblo has carried a 20-12 all-time record versus ranked opponents but dropped its three most recent ranked contests. No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce and No. 14 Grand Valley State defeated the Pack to kick-off the season and No. 1 Minnesota State defeated CSU Pueblo back in 2019 in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs.

The Pack are tied with the Orediggers and Western Colorado atop the RMAC Standings with only 1 loss in conference play.

The ThunderWolves smashed program records in last week's win over Fort Lewis. The team set a record for most points (73), largest scoring margin (+73), and most yards of total offense since 2008 (617). 

Colorado Mines is coming off a win over Chadron State after being topped by Colorado Mesa the week before.

Mines has been as high as third in the nation in the AFCA Coaches' Poll but fell to 14 after the loss to RMAC rival, Colorado Mesa.

Gregg Brandon was formally announced as the Colorado School of Mines head football coach on Dec. 30, 2014. Since arriving in Golden, Brandon has guided Mines to a 47-13 record with five winning seasons. In 11 seasons overall as a head coach, Brandon is 91-43.

SERIES NOTES

The ThunderWolves and Orediggers are meeting for the 14th time since 2008 with this being the 31st meeting all-time. The Pack lead the all-time series 19-11 and are 7-6 since 2008.

The Orediggers took the last meeting between the two teams back in 2019 at the ThunderBowl. The Pack fell 34-14 in the home opener.

The Pack are 4-2 at home against Mines since 2008.

Since CSU Pueblo defeated the Orediggers in 2015, the series has alternated victors between match-ups. 

CSU Pueblo has the longest win streak in the series as they went 5-0 from 2011-2015. 

LAST TIME OUT 

CSU Pueblo found its offensive identity last week in a road win that saw an all-around annihilation of the Skyhawks.

In the win over Fort Lewis, the Pack put up 617 yards of total offense, made two punt returns for a touchdown, had 22 players make a tackle, and notched their fourth pick-six of the season on defense. 

QB Gunnar Lamphere has stepped back into his role under center after two consecutive weeks throwing for a high percentage and over 200 yards.

Lamphere passed for 260 yards in the first half alone while he tacked one two touchdowns through the air. Lamphere's 260 yards are the most thrown by a Pack quarterback this season.

The Pack saw a strong ground game in the record setting offensive day. Four different ThunderWolves scored rushing touchdowns while three logged over 50 yards.

RB John Mumphery highlighted the day for the Pack. Mumphery emerged as a speedy and dominant back after he sprinted for 120 yards and a touchdown. The senior's touchdown marks his first at CSU Pueblo and his 120 yards is his career-high.

His 120-yard, one touchdown performance marked the Pack's fourth game of the season with a running back to tally that feat. The other three were by RB Michael Roots.

RB Michael Roots scored his seventh touchdown rush of the season off  a 31-yard rush. Roots had five rushes for 48 yards on the day.

RB Mariano Kemp ran for a career-high 67 yards with much help to a 34-yard touchdown run. His touchdown is his first in his carer.

WR Nick Williams had another explosive day as well. Williams made five receptions that hit big for the Pack. He compiled 133 yards receiving and tacked on a touchdown while playing solely in the first half. This is his second-straight game with 100 yards receiving. 

WR Nigel Mitchell logged a 50-yard reception for a touchdown and ran it in from five yards to log two total touchdowns on the day.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Pack dominated. The shutout is the first of the 2021 season and the limited yardage of 119 yards marked a season-best.

22 different ThunderWolves recorded a tackle.

LB Max Gonzales had another big game against Fort Lewis after the junior linebacker nabbed an interception for a touchdown. The pick-six was the fourth of the 2021 season for the Pack.

The Pack's leading tackler also recovered a fumble by the Skyhawks.

DL Ikenna Onwuasoanya  tied his season high of sacks on quarterback. Onwuasoanya's 2.5 sacks led the onslaught on the defensive front.

DL Dominick Fini, LB Kenneth Lofton, and DB Eli Pittman each tacked on a quarterback sack in the dominating win over the Skyhawks.

WR Andrew Cook was quiet on the receiving side of the ball but led the Pack in returns. Cook only had one punt return, but he made the most of it, returning the kick 73 yards for the first punt return for a touchdown for the Pack since 2018.

DB Matthew Stephenson joined in on the special teams fun and took his sole punt return to the house as well. Stephenson's return of 54 yards marked the first time since the 2008 reboot that the ThunderWolves had two punt returns for touchdowns in the same game.

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.

The Pack fell in week seven to New Mexico Highlands after a hard hitting second half comeback attempt was thwarted. 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.

The ThunderWolves got back on track after a 35-28 win over Adams State off a 523-yard offensive performance.

Last week, the Pack's offense showed up in a big way, putting up 617 yards of total offense and set program records for the most points in a game (since 2008), the largest scoring margin, the most yards on offense (since 2008), and the most points scored in a quarter (40).

Scouting #13 Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines is having of its most successful seasons in the past 20 years, dropping only one game thus far and racking up eight wins.

Thru nine games, Mines has totaled the most points scored in the RMAC, as the Orediggers have racked up 330 points to average 36.7 points per game. The 46 touchdowns scored are the most by any team in the RMAC with Western Colorado placing second in the category with 40.

QB John Matocha is currently passing for a 164.8 and has 25 touchdowns on the season as he leads the conference and ranks 10th in the nation in each category. His 0.704 completion percentage ranks him fourth in the nation and first in the conference. Matocha averages 18 points-responsible-for per game which ranks him 14th in the nation and second in the RMAC.

The well-rounded offense also features RB Michael Zeman who ranks 12th in the nation and leads the RMAC with 1,007 yards. Zeman averages 131.89 all-purpose yards per game which puts him at 24th in the nation and second in the RMAC. He ranks in the top 15 nationally in rush yards per carry (8th, 13 YPC), rush yards per game (15th, 111.3 YPG), scoring (7th, 10.0 PPG), total points scored (6th, 90 points), and touchdowns (8th, 15 TDs). 

The Orediggers play smart as they have only committed 36 penalties all season. This ranks atop the RMAC rankings and is sixth-best in the nation.

Mines also ranks second nationally with 20.77 yards per punt return. The special teams ranks in the top 10 in net punting as well as punt returns. 

Head Coach Gregg Brandon won his 99th career game as a head coach last week against Chadron State, now 55-14 at Mines and 44-30 as the head coach at Bowling Green from 2003-08.

Gregg Brandon was formally announced as the Colorado School of Mines head football coach on Dec. 30, 2014. Since arriving in Golden, Brandon has guided Mines to a 47-13 record with five winning seasons. In 11 seasons overall as a head coach, Brandon is 91-43.

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 123-30 all-time record. 

Since 2008, CSU Pueblo is undefeated when scoring 36 or more points (68-0) and when allowing 10 points or less (50-0). 

Since 2008, the ThunderWolves are 65-13 (.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 six defensive touchdowns so far on the season to rank second in the nation in a tie with Bowie State.

CSU Pueblo ranks in the top 10 nationally in net punting (fifth) and punt returns (sixth) on top of their top-ranked defensive touchdowns.

The Pack played in five different states this season. The ThunderWolves traveled to Michigan, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico.

The team was recognized with 24 total student-athletes being recognized for All-RMAC Academic Honor Roll honors while six individuals were honored with First Team All-RMAC Academic awards. Only one other program tallied more First Team honors (Colorado School of Mines).

The ThunderWolves have now racked up one D2Ftooball.com Player of the Week, two RMAC Player of the Week honors, and two NFFCC Player of the Week honors. WR Andrew Cook tallied his first career RMAC Special Teams Player of the week honor after turning in a 73-yard touchdown off a punt return. LB Trevor Philio pulled in the NFFCC Player of the Week following his dominating defensive play against Colorado Mesa. RB Michael Roots recieved the other NFFCC honor after his stellar rushing attack against Adams State. P Justin Dwinell earned the D2Football.com and RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. This marks Dwinell's fifth career RMAC honor and second D2Football.com honor.

CSU PUEBLO POSITION NOTABLES

OFFENSE 

QB Gunnar Lamphere made his triumphant return to the starting lineup against Adams State in a 35-28 win as the junior fought off a lingering injury and passed for 210 yards and a touchdown. 

Lamphere broke out of his shell last week against Fort Lewis as the junior passed for 260 yards and two touchdowns in just two quarters of play against the Skyhawks. Lamphere's 260 yards passing was a career high was achieved in just six series, passing for 11-20 in the frame.

In his stead, QBs Steven Croell and Devin Williams rotated under center duties throughout the weeks Lamphere had been absent. Williams leads the Pack with 744 yards passing and 6 Touchdowns while Croell has put together a season with 581 passing yards and six touchdowns.

Williams owns the two of the 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). The attempts marked a program high and the 28 completions tied a program best.

RB Michael Roots was able to have a breakout game against South Dakota Mines. 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. He also ran for two touchdowns and 136 yards against Chadron State.

Roots has since rushed for a season-high 159 yards in the win over Adams State and put together two more two-touchdown performances. The Central Washington transfer leads the Pack with 772 yards on the ground off 128 total rushes. He has seven rushing touchdowns and another by way of receiving.

WR Nick Williams leads all Pack receivers after he has tallied up five or more catches in each of the past six weeks. Williams now leads the Pack with 38 receptions and 504 receiving yards. In the win over Colorado Mesa, Williams completed a 14-yard touchdown pass the WR Nigel Mitchell to tie up the ballgame late. 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.

Williams caught for a career-high 143 yards in the win against Adams State with much thanks to a 60-yard receiving TD. Just one week later, Williams made five receptions in just two quarters to rack up 133 yards and one touchdown (60-yards from Lamphere) receiving.

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 three 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 11 tackles for loss and leads the team with 6.5 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 13.5 tackles for loss. He also sits at 38 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 20th in the nation in Scoring Defense at 17.2 points per game and sit 16th in Defensive Pass Efficiency.

DB Sam Warren has 41 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.

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 48 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 four for the current season. With 14 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 27 more occasions with the most recent occurring against Fort Lewis on Oct. 30 (30 yards).

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. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K Dean Faithfull arrived in Pueblo after playing four years of college soccer at Florida Tech back in late 2000s. 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 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.

WR Andrew Cook was quiet on the receiving side of the ball but led the Pack in returns. Cook only had one punt return, but he made the most of it, returning the kick 73 yards for the first punt return for a touchdown for the Pack since 2018.

DB Matthew Stephenson joined in on the special teams fun and took his sole punt return to the house as well. Stephenson's return of 54 yards marked the first time since the 2008 reboot that the ThunderWolves had two punt returns for touchdowns in the same game.

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 had 14 50+ yard punts and a long of 77 yards, which was the 5th longest in NCAA Division II this season. 

The sophomore punter sits at fifth in the nation for total punting as he averages 43.7 yards per punt. He also leads the RMAC in the same category. 

So far, Dwinell already has 17 punts kicked inside the 20 and 15 over 50 yards. The 15 50+ yard punts is already a career-high set back in week eight.

Dwinell ranks fifth in the nation with an average net punt of 38.56 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.

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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