Pack Set to Kick-Off Season at No. 24 Midwestern State

9/2/2022 5:34:00 PM

PUEBLO, Colo. (Sept. 2, 2022) - Colorado State University Pueblo football starts its 11-week regular season Saturday evening on the road at Midwestern State University Texas. The ThunderWolves will kickoff at 5 p.m. against the 24th-ranked Mustangs and put the first win in the books.

Fans are able to follow the action via live stream video, live stats and live audio via Fox Sports Pueblo.

THE GAME

The ThunderWolves will open up their 2022 season with a tough test on the road at No. 24 Midwestern State University Texas.

The Pack enter the match-up at MSU Texas with a brief, one-game history with the Mustangs that dates back to a NCAA Division II Playoff second-round match-up in 2015.

The Pack carry four losses into the week, the most since 2008.

CSU Pueblo has carried a 20-14 all-time record versus ranked opponents but dropped its four most recent ranked contests.

CSU Pueblo has a 39-17-1 record in season openers since the program's original birth in 1938. The Pack are 11-2 since 2008 in the season opening game.

Based on preseason voting, the Pack are slated to face four top-25 opponents in their first four games - the only team in the country scheduled to do so.

Midwestern State won the 2021 Lonestar Conference but failed to clinch a NCAA Playoff bid after finishing the season 7-3.

Bill Maskill enters his 22nd season at the helm of the Midwestern State football team in 2022, the longest consecutive tenure in the program's history. He is a six-time Lonestar Conference Coach of the Year and has posted a 157-63 record as the head coach of the Mustangs.

SERIES NOTES

The ThunderWolves and Mustangs are meeting for the second time. The Pack lead the all-time series 1-0 with Pack taking the lone contest 26-17 in the second round of the 2015 Playoffs. The posteason wins in 2015 were vacated for violations following the season.

The Pack were 3-3 on the road in 2021 and dropped its road opener at Grand Valley State 34-14.

The 2015 contest took place in Wichita Falls in November, making this the first contest in September for the teams' series.

Out of the 11 teams on the CSU Pueblo schedule, Western Colorado is the only winless opponent against the Pack since 2008.

LAST TIME OUT

CSU Pueblo finished 2021 with a 6-5 record, the lowest win-percentage under head coach John Wristen.

The ThunderWolves fell to Co-RMAC Champions No. 13 Mines and No. 14 Western 28-12 and 14-7, respectively to finish off their season.

The Pack finished the season with six games that were decided by one score with a record of 3-3 in those contests. The Pack are 7-3 in last three seasons in games decided by 8 points or fewer.

The Pack offense averaged 27 points a game on the season to help out-score the average opponent 27.00-17.91.

The Pack averaged 359.5 yards of total offense a game in 2021 - ninth in the conference. Despite the offensive hang-ups, the Pack defense rang true to its name and was third in the RMAC with 307.2 yards allowed per game.

The Pack defense was also in the top-25 in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense, while their five defensive touchdowns ranked fourth in the nation and led the RMAC.

QB Steven Croell returns to the Pack for his second year as a CSU Pueblo quarterback. Croell hurled for team-highs of 873 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. He finished the season with a 127.05 Passer Rating and led Pack with 59.54% completion percentage.

LB Max Gonzales makes his final return to the ThunderWolves defense after leading the linebacker corps and the team with 88 tackles in 2021. Gonzales earned himself a Second-Team nod to the All-RMAC team in 2021 and was named as a Player to Watch by the conference for 2022.

WR Max Fine led all returning receivers with 367 yards off 31 receptions and two touchdowns. Fine averaged 33.36 yards per game and 11.84 yards per receptions.

OL Elijah Reed comes back for his senior season on the line to lead a well-seasoned Pack front-line. Reed has been named to the All-American Watchlist released by Lindy's. The senior earned All-RMAC First Team honors in 2021.

CSU Pueblo is one of the top teams in the country over the past three seasons in touchdowns scored on defense. Last season featured five defensive touchdowns, four by way of interception.

SCOUTING #24 MidWestern State Texas

Midwestern State had a frustrating end to 2021, failing to clinch a postseason berth after winning its conference with only one Lonestar loss (West Texas A&M, 15-12).

A well-rounded team in 2021, in NCAA Division II football, the Mustangs ranked 25th in Passes Intercepted (14), 15th in Defensive Touchdowns (3), 24th in Red Zone Defense, 14th in Red Zone Offense, 11th in Sacks Allowed, 13th in Tackles for Loss Allowed, 6th in Tackles for Loss and 14th in Turnovers Gained (26).

The Mustangs were selected to finish second in the Lonestar Conference based on the league's coaches' poll in July.

Midwestern State is one of the four Pack opponents ranked in the AFCA Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Mustangs are ranked 24th in the nation and are one of 13 Super Region Four teams to receive mention in the poll.

QB Dillon Sterling-Cole returns for the Mustangs after turning in a strong season under center in 2021. Sterling-Cole earned the J.W. Rollins Award as the LSC Offensive Player of the Year, Lonestar Newcomer of the Year and All-LSC First-Team Honors. The QB passed for 2,130 yards, ranked third or better in the LSC for nine passing categories and rushed for 245 yards on 69 carries with three touchdowns showing his capability as both a passer and rusher.

The Mustangs also return the 2022 LSC Offensive Freshman of the Year and First Team All-LSC running back Jalen March. March led the Mustangs with 635 yards on 107 carries and punched in six touchdowns while averaging 5.93 yards per carry. March notched a season-high 158 yards on 21 carries a 36-30 win over UT Permian Basin.

THE POLLS

The Pack enter the season on the outside looking in, receiving seven votes in the AFCA National Coaches' Poll.

Heading into 2022, the ThunderWolves were pre-ranked second in the RMAC and received one first-place vote, trailing the defending RMAC Champions, Colorado School of Mines which received nine first-place votes.

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

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 123-32 all-time record.

Since 2008, CSU Pueblo is undefeated when scoring 36 or more points (66-0) and when allowing 10 points or less (48-0).

Since 2008, the ThunderWolves are 65-14 (.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 in 2019.

CSU Pueblo had a league-best +23 turnover margin in 2019, and finished second in the RMAC in 2022. Their 1.92 turnover margin per game was good for 1st nationally in 2019, while the 35 takeaways was tied for 1st in Division II heading into the Pack's final game.

The Pack accumulated five defensive touchdowns so far on the season to rank fourth in the nation.

CSU Pueblo ranked in the top 10 nationally in net punting (6th) and punt returns (10th) on top of their top-five defensive touchdowns.

The 2021 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).

Punter Justin Dwinell and DL Ikenna Onwuasoanya each raked in first team All-America honors to go with an honorable mention by returning OL Elijah Reed.

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.

OL Elijah Reed, OL Jonah Stupar, LB Max Gonzales and DL Dominick Fini all return to the Pack as All-RMAC honorees in 2021. CSU Pueblo ended the 2021 season with 14 RMAC honors including three First Team awards. The Pack ended the season with more conference honors than any other RMAC squad.

CSU PUEBLO POSITION NOTABLES

OFFENSE

Croell split time at quarterback in 2021 and led the two other field generals with the most yards, most completions, highest passer rating and completion percentage. Croell's season-long included a 90-yard TD to WR Andrew Cook in the season finale at Western Colorado. Croell finished the game with 253 yards in the air - a season best.

WR Andrew Cook returns to the Pack as one of the most explosive running wide receivers in the RMAC. Cook owned the two longest touchdowns for the ThunderWolves in 2021 with an 83-yard TD reception in the win at South Dakota Mines and then another 90-yarder at Western Colorado. Cook topped off his season with a Special Teams Player of the Week nod after a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown at Fort Lewis. Cook took in 20 receptions for the third-most tallied by a Pack receiver in 2021 and led the squad with 245 punt return yards.

WR Max Fine helps bring some senior leadership to the receiving corps. Fine's season was highlighted by a 54-yard touchdown reception in a win at Chadron State. He brought in a Pack-best 31 receptions in 2021 and notched three or more catches in seven of his 11 games. Fine set a career-high of 74 yards receiving in a loss to Colorado school of Mines.

Rounding out a strong wide receiver group, WR Nigel Mitchell makes his way back to CSU Pueblo as one of the most electric players on the team. Mitchell used his breakaway speed and strong hands to find his way into the end zone more than any other Pack receiver in 2021. Mitchell total 17 receptions for 267 yards last season but was able to find the end zone four times. Mitchell's season-long touchdown came at Fort Lewis where he sprinted his way by the defense and caught a well-placed ball on his way to end zone on the first drive of the game. Mitchell also poses a threat as a kick returner. In 2021, Mitchell became the primary kick returner and ran his way for 235 yards on 11 attempts, averaging 21.4 yards per attempt.

RB Nick Bingham and Jordan Jones return for another year in the backfield for the Pack. Bingham found an increased role near the tail-end of the 2021 season and finished with 212 net yards, two touchdowns and an average rush of 5.9 yards. Jones makes his way back to the Pack as a running back who saw limited work in 2021, but put in crucial work in the backfield as a sparkplug and leader.

The offensive line returns four of the five starters from 2021, as Elijah Reed and Jonah Stupar each clinched All-RMAC honors in 2021 while Reed earned an Honorable Mention All-American honor. Of the offensive linemen, six returners are seniors.

DEFENSE

The Pack have owned one of the stingiest and most unforgiving defenses in the nation the past nine 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.

A tough defense in 2021 kept the Pack in every game, win or loss. The Pack never surrendered more than 34 points in any game, a conference best, and only allowed 28 or more points thrice. The ThunderWolves defense held top-offensive team in the RMAC, Colorado Mesa to only 13 points across four quarters and a double overtime stint and limited a top-25 offense in the nation (Grand Valley State) to under 35 points.

DL Trey Botts returns as a senior leader for the Pack defensive line after leading the Pack trenches with 55 total tackles. Botts earned an All-RMAC Honorable Mention and wreaked havoc as a defensive tackle.

LB Luke Conilogue looks to bounce back in 2022 after he was put out of commission in the season opener in 2021. Conilogue leads a linebacker corps after emerging as a leader in 2019 when he recorded 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four interceptions.

Despite the offensive hang-ups, the Pack defense rang true to its name and was third in the RMAC with 307.2 yards allowed per game.

The Pack defense was also in the top-25 in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense, while their five defensive touchdowns ranked fourth in the nation and led the RMAC.

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.

S Cory McLellan will look to lead a young secondary as a junior safety who helped highlight a seasoned corps in 2021 with big knockdowns and hard hits.

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, 2021 (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

The special teams corps will be full of fresh faces in 2022 following the exit of 2021 All-American Justin Dwinell and graduation of kicker Dean Faithfull.

P Jon Lujan will take over punting duties while Jake Willig is the lone Pack kicker to return from the 2021 roster.

WR Andrew Cook only had one punt return against Fort Lewis last season, 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. Cook earned himself an RMAC Player of the Week honor thanks to his punt return and will return downfield in 2022 as one of the most electrifying punt returners in the RMAC,

#PACKPROS

CSU Pueblo has four former players in the NFL right now. Ryan Jensen (2009-12) is in his 10th season and fifth with Tampa Bay after five with the Baltimore Ravens. Jensen clinched a Super Bowl ring in 2021 as part of the championship team that defeated the Chiefs. 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 returned to the active 53-man roster for 2019 and finds himself a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2022. 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 seven seasons of NFL experience (Green Bay, New York Jets). He was cut during camp in August 2019 by New England, but signed Oct. 21 by the Kansas City Chiefs. It was with Kansas City that Pennel clinched a Super Bowl ring in their thrilling win over the 49ers. Darius Allen (2011-14) is currently in his seventh season in the Canadian Football League. Dionte Sykes (2019-21) is a member of the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League . Anthony Wilson (2016-21) signed with the Green Bay Blizzard following the conclusion of the 2021 season.

VS. RANKED SQUADS

CSU Pueblo owns a 20-14 (13-7 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 happened when CSU Pueblo won the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship by the score of 13-0 against Minnesota State.

-PACK-

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