PUEBLO, Colo. (November 5, 2026) – Riding a nine-game winning streak to open the 2026 season, the No. 3/No. 4 ranked Colorado State University Pueblo football team returns to the road this Saturday, Nov. 7, as the ThunderWolves travel to Rapid City, S.D., for a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference match-up against South Dakota Mines. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. Mountain Time at O'Harra Stadium.

Saturday's contest will mark the fifth and final regular-season road game for the ThunderWolves, who enter the game sporting a perfect 9-0 overall record and a 7-0 mark in the RMAC following last Saturday's hard-fought 38-31 Halloween victory over Black Hills State at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl. The victory extended the Pack's NCAA Division II-leading conference winning streak to 32 consecutive games and its overall winning streak to nine straight games, which is tied for the second-longest active winning streak in Division II.

In addition to its impressive conference winning streak, CSU Pueblo has won 18 consecutive regular-season games dating back to last season and carries an NCAA Division II-leading 19-game road winning streak into Saturday's contest. The ThunderWolves are a perfect 4-0 away from home this season and have not lost a road game since suffering a 57-49 double-overtime setback at Grand Valley State on Sept. 9, 2023.

The Pack, who are under the direction of fourth-year head coach Philip Vigil, are one of seven remaining unbeaten teams in NCAA Division II and enter the final two weeks of the regular season looking to secure their third straight RMAC championship and strengthen their position for the upcoming NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.

Vigil has compiled a 37-7 record in his four seasons at CSU Pueblo and is 44-22 in six seasons overall as a collegiate head coach. He has guided the ThunderWolves to back-to-back RMAC championships in 2024 and 2025, including a perfect 9-0 conference record in both 2024 and 2025.

Saturday's opponent, South Dakota Mines, enters the contest with a 5-4 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the RMAC following a 37-6 setback last Saturday at then-No. 6 Western Colorado. The Hardrockers, who are coached by seventh-year head coach Charlie Flohr, have dropped three consecutive games after opening the season with five wins in their first six contests.

The matchup features two teams with contrasting offensive styles, as the ThunderWolves boast one of the nation's most explosive offenses, while South Dakota Mines relies on ball control, a productive rushing attack and a defense that has been among the RMAC's best at creating turnovers.

Through nine games, CSU Pueblo is averaging 45.2 points and 530.3 yards of total offense per game, including 302.2 passing yards and 228.1 rushing yards per contest. The Pack has scored 407 points, recorded 221 first downs and is averaging 7.6 yards per offensive play.

Defensively, the ThunderWolves are allowing just 18.2 points and 298.9 yards per game, including 135.3 rushing yards and 163.6 passing yards per contest. The Pack has held opposing quarterbacks to a 51.7 completion percentage and has allowed just seven touchdown passes through nine games.

South Dakota Mines, meanwhile, is averaging 26.4 points and 349.6 yards of total offense per game, while allowing 23.4 points and 330.0 yards per outing. The Hardrockers enter Saturday's game leading the RMAC in time of possession at 34 minutes and 17 seconds per game, turnover margin at plus-six, fewest turnovers lost with nine, interceptions with 11, and fewest passes intercepted with two.

Vigil expects the ThunderWolves to face another disciplined opponent that will look to control the tempo of the game and limit CSU Pueblo's offensive opportunities.

"I think it's going to be very similar to what we just saw. I think they're going to try to possess the football," Vigil said. "You see a team, first off, overall, that is very well coached, that plays extremely hard, and a team that is disciplined. They don't beat themselves."

The Pack will be looking to improve to 10-0 all-time against South Dakota Mines in a series that began in 2016. CSU Pueblo has won each of the previous nine meetings, including a 43-0 victory in last season's opener at the ThunderBowl. The ThunderWolves are 5-0 against the Hardrockers in Rapid City and 4-0 in Pueblo.

CSU Pueblo is also a perfect 24-0 all-time against football-playing institutions from South Dakota following last Saturday's victory over Black Hills State.

The ThunderWolves enter Saturday's game following one of their most challenging victories of the season, as the Pack overcame a second-half rally by Black Hills State to post a 38-31 victory in front of 5,469 fans at the ThunderBowl.

CSU Pueblo built a 24-3 lead in the second quarter before the Yellow Jackets scored 21 unanswered points to tie the game at 24 with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter. The Pack responded with two consecutive touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Navi Bruzon (Peoria, Ariz./Highland CC) to regain a 38-24 advantage early in the fourth quarter.

After Black Hills State pulled within 38-31 with 5:22 remaining, the ThunderWolves made the necessary defensive plays down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Bruzon finished the game completing 16-of-24 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions. He averaged 14.8 yards per pass attempt and 22.2 yards per completion, with all four touchdown passes covering at least 45 yards.

Junior receiver Marcellus Honeycutt, Jr. (Aurora, Colo./Eastern Washington) caught five passes for a game-high 168 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring receptions of 70 and 46 yards in the first half. Senior receiver Dedrek Taylor-Akins (Fontana, Calif./Northeastern State) added six receptions for 112 yards and a 45-yard touchdown, while redshirt freshman running back Jaedon Matthews (Goodyear, Ariz./Cal Poly) caught a 56-yard touchdown pass.

It marked the first time since last season's regular-season finale against Chadron State that two Pack receivers each recorded more than 100 receiving yards in the same game. In last year's regular season finale against Chadron State, Reggie Retzlaff gained 166 receiving yards and Zack Rakowsky finished with 118 receiving yards.

Sophomore running back Russell Patton (Denver, Colo./Dr. MLK Jr. Early College) led the rushing attack with 69 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

Despite possessing the football for just 18 minutes and 21 seconds, the ThunderWolves finished with 473 yards of total offense on only 46 plays, averaging an impressive 10.3 yards per play. CSU Pueblo rushed for 117 yards and passed for 356 yards, while its offensive line did not allow a sack for the second time this season.

Defensively, the Pack limited Black Hills State to 343 yards of total offense, including 187 rushing yards on 50 attempts and 156 passing yards. The Yellow Jackets held a 41:39 to 18:21 advantage in time of possession and forced three CSU Pueblo turnovers while committing just one.

Sophomore linebacker Carter Daniels (Centennial, Colo./Mountain Vista), who was named this week's RMAC Defensive Player of the Week, led the defensive effort with nine tackles, two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Daniels forced and recovered a fumble on Black Hills State's first offensive play, which helped set up a 29-yard field goal by senior kicker Jackson Smith (Centennial, Colo./Santa Barbara City College).

The Pack finished with five sacks for 24 yards and seven tackles for loss for 26 yards in the win.

For his performance, Daniels was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. He previously earned the award following the Pack's season-opening victory over Central Missouri.

Vigil was particularly pleased with how his team responded when Black Hills State erased the 21-point deficit.

"I think the thing that was the most encouraging for me was when we needed it the most, we found ways to make plays and get done what we needed to get done," Vigil said. "Nobody panicked. At one point they scored 21 unanswered and tied it up at 24. It was business as usual for us."

The ThunderWolves will look for another productive performance from Bruzon, who continues to put together one of the top seasons by a quarterback in NCAA Division II.

Through nine games, Bruzon has completed 147-of-224 passes for 2,526 yards and 28 touchdowns against just five interceptions. He is completing 65.6 percent of his passes, averaging 280.7 passing yards per game, and has compiled a passing efficiency rating of 197.1.

The sophomore signal caller leads the RMAC in passing yards (2,526), passing yards per game (280.7), touchdown passes (28), total offense per game (296.4), points responsible for (198), points responsible for per game (22.0), passing efficiency (197.1), yards per pass attempt (11.28) and passing yards per completion (17.18).

Nationally, Bruzon ranks second in Division II in touchdown passes, passing efficiency, yards per pass attempt, and yards per completion. He also ranks third nationally in points responsible for, 11th in passing yards, 13th in passing yards per game and 14th in total offense per game.

Bruzon, who has earned three RMAC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season, has thrown at least two touchdown passes in all nine games and has recorded four games with at least four touchdown passes. He has also rushed for five touchdowns, giving him a hand in 33 of the ThunderWolves' 55 touchdowns this season.

His continued production has placed him among the players deserving consideration for the 2026 Harlon Hill Trophy, which is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division II football.

One of Bruzon's top targets this season has been Honeycutt, who leads the RMAC with 787 receiving yards, 98.4 receiving yards per game, 21.27 yards per reception, and eight touchdown receptions. He has caught 37 passes in eight games and is averaging nearly 100 receiving yards per contest.

Honeycutt ranks ninth nationally in receiving yards per game, eighth in yards per reception, 17th in receiving yards and 18th in touchdown receptions.

Taylor-Akins has also been a major contributor to the Pack's passing attack, as he leads the team with 39 receptions for 717 yards and six touchdowns. He is averaging 18.4 yards per reception and 79.7 receiving yards per game.

In the running game, Patton leads the ThunderWolves with 556 yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per rushing attempt. Matthews has added 460 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 87 carries, while senior Moosah Alsaffar (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) has rushed for 267 yards and two scores. Patton recently became the 23rd member of the school's 1,000-Yard Rushing Club and enters Saturday's game with 1,109 career rushing yards.

Sophomore quarterback Evan Powell (San Bernardino, Calif./Chaffey College) has also provided an explosive rushing threat, gaining 265 yards and scoring four touchdowns on just 22 carries, an average of 12.0 yards per attempt.
The ThunderWolves' offensive balance has helped them score 21 rushing touchdowns and 31 passing touchdowns through nine games.

On defense, CSU Pueblo has been particularly effective at limiting explosive plays and creating negative-yardage situations. The Pack has recorded 25 sacks for 176 yards and has intercepted 10 passes, while allowing opponents to convert just 27 percent of their third-down opportunities.

The ThunderWolves have allowed opponents to gain just 4.6 yards per offensive play and have limited opposing offenses to fewer than 300 yards per game.

Senior defensive end Jaylen Booth (Merced, Calif./Merced College) is the RMAC leader in both sacks (6.5) and tackles for a loss (10.5), while Daniels is second with six sacks and 10 tackles for a loss.

Junior cornerback Oliver Welch (Los Angeles, Calif./Venice) leads the team with three interceptions, while junior safety Tre Jordan (Tomball, Texas/Midwestern State) and senior cornerback David Houston III (Austin, Texas/South Alabama) have each recorded two interceptions. Senior safety Kahden Rullo (Denver, Colo./Grandview) has also contributed an interception.

Vigil credits the Pack's defensive success to its depth, discipline, and the ability of its players to execute their individual responsibilities.

"I think Coach B (Neema Behbahami) and his staff are doing a great job of making offenses earn it and making offenses put long drives together to be able to end with points," Vigil said. "We've got some really special players that can individually make some great plays. The beautiful thing about what you're seeing is we have a lot of depth, and we're able to keep those guys fresh."

The ThunderWolves will need that defensive depth against a South Dakota Mines offense that has rushed for 1,458 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA MINES
South Dakota Mines enters Saturday's game looking to snap a three-game losing streak and secure its sixth victory of the season. The Hardrockers are 5-4 overall and 3-4 in RMAC play after opening the season with five victories in their first six contests.

The Hardrockers opened the 2026 campaign with a 38-35 road victory over NCAA Division I FCS opponent Drake before posting a 38-17 home victory over Southwest Baptist. Following a 30-24 overtime loss to Colorado Mesa in their RMAC opener, South Dakota Mines reeled off three consecutive victories against Adams State (45-15), New Mexico Highlands (34-23) and Fort Lewis (30-16).

Since that three-game winning streak, the Hardrockers have suffered consecutive losses to Black Hills State (21-13), Colorado School of Mines (17-10) and Western Colorado (37-6).

South Dakota Mines is under the direction of seventh-year head coach Charlie Flohr, who has compiled a 39-36 overall record and a 25-26 mark in RMAC play with the Hardrockers.

Flohr, who is in his seventh season leading the program, previously spent 14 seasons at Northwest Missouri State in various coaching capacities, including serving as offensive coordinator from 2013-19. He was named the FootballScoop Division II Coordinator of the Year in 2016.

Flohr and Vigil have a previous coaching connection from their time at Northwest Missouri State, where Vigil served as a graduate assistant while Flohr was the Bearcats' quarterbacks coach.

"I have a lot of respect for Coach Flohr," Vigil said. "I was a graduate assistant at Northwest Missouri when he was the quarterbacks coach there. He's always done a great job. He did a great job at Northwest as a position coach, did a great job as a coordinator, and when he got an opportunity to be a head coach, he's done a great job at South Dakota Mines."

Vigil added that Flohr's teams are consistently well prepared and disciplined, something he expects to see again on Saturday.

Offensively, South Dakota Mines is averaging 349.6 yards per game, including 162.0 rushing yards and 187.6 passing yards. The Hardrockers have scored 238 points and are averaging 26.4 points per game.

The Hardrockers' offense is led by junior quarterback Gage Baker, who has completed 157-of-271 passes for 1,688 yards and 12 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Baker is completing 57.9 percent of his passes and has a passing efficiency rating of 123.4.

Baker is also a threat with his legs, as he has rushed for 170 net yards and a touchdown on 71 carries.

The Hardrockers' rushing attack is led by fifth-year senior Dawson Dunbar, who has rushed for an RMAC-leading 831 yards and 11 touchdowns on 157 carries. Dunbar is averaging 5.3 yards per attempt and 92.3 rushing yards per game.

Dunbar has also caught 21 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 1,041 combined rushing and receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns, which is tops in the RMAC.

Fifth-year senior running back Ty Harris provides another option in the backfield, having rushed for 423 yards and three touchdowns on 104 carries. Harris has also caught 24 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown.

Junior receiver Joshua Morales leads South Dakota Mines with 30 receptions for 393 yards and five touchdowns. He is averaging 13.1 yards per reception and 43.7 receiving yards per game, while junior receiver Kooper Koehn has added 15 receptions for 220 yards and senior tight end Tobin Frost has caught 19 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown.

South Dakota Mines has been particularly effective at protecting the football this season, having thrown just two interceptions in 271 passing attempts. The Hardrockers have committed only nine turnovers through nine games and enter Saturday's contest with an RMAC-leading plus-six turnover margin.

Defensively, South Dakota Mines is allowing 23.4 points and 330.0 yards per game. The Hardrockers have been particularly effective against the run, allowing just 98.7 rushing yards per contest and 3.3 yards per rushing attempt.
Opponents have rushed for only seven touchdowns against South Dakota Mines this season.

The Hardrockers have allowed 231.3 passing yards per game and have intercepted 11 passes, while recording 14 sacks for 89 yards.

Graduate student linebacker Gabe Frerichs has recorded 53 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Frerichs has also been active in pass coverage, recording five pass breakups and an interception.

Other key defensive personnel listed on the Hardrockers' two-deep include senior defensive linemen Ethan Williams and Antonio Reed, junior defensive lineman Zachary Young, sophomore linebacker Sawyer Wald, senior linebacker Charlie Johnson, and senior defensive backs Jarin Allen.

Vigil believes the Hardrockers' improved defensive play will provide a significant challenge for CSU Pueblo's explosive offense.

"I think realistically they're going to try to commit a lot of people to the box and try to be plus one in the box as far as making sure they stop the run," Vigil said. "What you're seeing with this team is their defense is much better than it was a year ago."

The Pack head coach also stressed the importance of protecting the football against a defense that has been opportunistic throughout the season.

"We've got to find ways to protect the football offensively," Vigil said. "They are stingy defensively. They have done a good job as far as creating turnovers and things of that nature. When we do have the ball, and we do have the opportunity to be efficient, we need to find ways to continue to do that."

South Dakota Mines is looking for its sixth win of the season, which would give the Hardrockers their fourth winning season in the last six years.

Following Saturday's contest, CSU Pueblo will return home to conclude the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14, against fifth-ranked Western Colorado (9-0 overall, 7-0 RMAC) at the ThunderBowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Mountaineers host Colorado School of Mines on Saturday afternoon, before next week's showdown in Pueblo.

PACK FOOTBALL NOTES