This game recap is presented by MAA Corporate Partner Gunnison Energy LLC
GUNNISON, Colo. - Coming into Saturday's matchup, Colorado State University - Pueblo had won 39 consecutive regular season games. Western State Colorado University football pushed that streak to the breaking point, nearly shocking the NCAA Division II football world with an upset of the No. 2 ranked team.
Western (1-2, 0-1 RMAC) had the defending champions on the ropes, up four with under five minutes to play. After a
Jacob Weiss (Jr., Salida, Colo.) interception of CSU-Pueblo quarterback Chris Bonner, the Mountaineers looked poised to put the ThunderWolves away.
A five-yard third down run by
Austin Ekeler (So., Eaton, Colo.) setup a fourth and one from CSU-Pueblo's three yard line. After running the clock down, Western used a timeout. After the timeout, the Mountaineer offense rushed back onto the field in an attempt to solidify the victory and upset the defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Champions. Quarterback
Brett Arrivey (So., Woodinville, Wash.) rushed up the middle but was stopped short of the first down, upon measurement by the officials.
CSU-Pueblo (3-0, 1-0 RMAC) took over on downs, 97 yards away from the end zone and needing a touchdown to win the game. The ThunderWolves began the drive with 2:57 remaining on the clock and marched into Western territory after five plays.
A deep toss down the left side of the field found its target for CSU-Pueblo and after a penalty for an object being thrown onto the field, the ThunderWolves were setup at the Western 11. Three straight rushes got CSU-Pueblo into the end zone, taking a three point lead with 43 seconds remaining.
The Mountaineers were unable to get into field goal range on the final possession, losing by three 26-23.
Despite the loss, the Mountaineers proved this Western team is capable of playing with top caliber teams not only in the conference but in the nation.
Western was in the lead Saturday afternoon for a total of 25:54, compared to CSU-Pueblo's 4:52.
Mountaineer kicker
Ryan Winke (So., Aurora, Colo.) had a career day, going 3-for-3 kicking field goals, including two over 40 yards in distance. All of Winke's field goals came in the second quarter of play.
Austin Ekeler (So., Eaton, Colo.) led all rushers in the game, accruing at total of 139 yards on the ground. However, the Mountaineers managed to score both of the team's touchdowns through the air.
Arrivey posted the first touchdown in response to CSU-Pueblo's touchdown score at the 8:43 mark in the first. The Mountaineers marched down the field on the following possession and topped a 12 play, 75-yard drive with a nine yard throw to
Markeith McDonald (Fr., Frisco, Colo.).
The second Mountaineer touchdown came at the 7:09 mark of the third quarter and broke a 16-16 deadlock. Arrivey's 14 yard pass found
Darren Brady (Jr., Richmond, Texas) in the back of the end zone.
The Mountaineer defense effectively shut down the ThunderWolves' potent offense for much of the day. As a team, the Western defense forced two interceptions and two fumbles, recovering one.
Gerald Coleman (Jr., Richmond, Texas) continued his streak of interceptions, making his fourth in three games. Coleman also broke-up three CSU-Pueblo passes and recorded six solo tackles.
Cole Waliczek (Sr., Thornton, Colo.) and
Mark Jones (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) led the Mountaineers with seven tackles each. Waliczek also recorded one forced fumble.
The Mountaineers will be back in Mountaineer Bowl next Saturday, when they host Adams State University for homecoming in the Colorado Classic.
