GOLDEN, Colo. (Sept. 24, 2022) – The Colorado State University football team dropped its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup on the road at No. 21 Colorado School of Mines, falling 45-17 at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden.
 
In the game, CSU Pueblo totaled 233 yards including 125 yards in the air and 108 yards rushing.
 
Hunter Raquet went 9-of-13 under center and threw for 101 yards and one touchdown. Steven Croell finished 2-of-6 passing and 24 yards.
 
On the ground, Austin Bacher led with 93 total yards rushing on 13 attempts and one touchdown.
 
CSU Pueblo received the ball first and after a 16-yard reception to Nigel Harris, the Orediggers defense caused its first fumble at midfield to get the first possession with good field position.
 
Mines used a 10-play 48-yard drive that elapsed 3:48 off the clock to take their first lead in the game, 7-3.
 
In the ThunderWolves next possession, they drove the ball down field and into Orediggers territory inside CSM's 40-yardline. 
 
Sullivan Moon came on for a 53-yard field goal try and was successful to get the ThunderWolves on the board, 7-3 with 4:31 left in the first quarter. 
 
The powerful Mines offense flexed its muscle on the next possession and took the ball down field before the end of the first quarter.
 
Mines jumped out to a 14-3 lead on the first play of the second quarter, a 36-yard touchdown pass for Mines.
 
Following a short drive by CSU Pueblo, Mines possessed the ball and converted a 36-yard touchdown pass to go ahead 21-3 with 11:26 left in the half.
 
The ThunderWolves allowed another fumble on their next possession and CSM took the ball down field and scored with 5:28 remaining in the first half.
 
The defense by the Orediggers caused yet another punt for the ThunderWolves as CSM took the ball again and drove the ball into Pack territory and scored its fifth touchdown of the half with seconds left in the period, building a 35-3 lead going into the break.
 
Mines received the ball to start the second half and the offense was able to drive down field and tacked on another touchdown after a 12 play, 75-yard drive took 2:21 off the clock.
 
The ThunderWolves scored their first touchdown of the game on a 16-yard rush by Bacher, to bring the score to 42-10 with 5:54 left in the third quarter.
 
The Pack defense forced the first punt of the game for Mines and got the ball deep in their own zone. 
 
CSU Pueblo got the ball and on a 3rd and 10, Raquet's pass was intercepted with 2:14 left in the quarter.
 
The Orediggers again capitalized on the turnover and converted a field goal attempt from 47-yards out to build the lead to 45-10 after three quarters.
 
Raquet and Co. in turn took the ball and was able to drive the ball all the way down field and on a play inside the 20-yardline, the Orediggers were called for a pass interference which put the ball at the CSM 4-yardline.
 
The Pack earned a 1st and goal inside the five and Raquet connected a pass on to Nick Bingham for the ThunderWolves' first touchdown of the day in the air, putting the score at 45-17 and 12:55 left in regulation.
 
Over the last eight minutes of action, the Orediggers drew several run plays to drain the clock on the ThunderWolves offense.
 
CSU Pueblo (1-3, 0-2 RMAC) returns home next week and host Fort Lewis on Homecoming, next Saturday at 2 p.m. at CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl.