ThunderWolves put up big numbers in win over Angelo State.
CSU-Pueblo played big-league football in a big-league football stadium in a 45-24 victory over the Angelo State Rams at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.
The ThunderWolves put up 617 yards of offense while forcing three turnovers to run their regular season win streak to 28 games, the second longest streak in any division of collegiate football.
Despite Angelo State having over twice the time of possession as CSU-Pueblo, the ThunderWolves were able to capitalize off of turnovers and big plays in the first half.
The ThunderWolves set the tone immediately upon receiving the opening kickoff, as Paul Browning caught a 64-yard touchdown pass from Chris Bonner on the first play from scrimmage.
Just seven offensive plays later, CSU-Pueblo recovered a botched punt return by the Rams, setting up a five-yard touchdown rush by Chris Ashe.
The defense of CSU-Pueblo effectively stifled the offensive attack of the Rams in the first half, limiting them to only a field goal and 168 total yards.
Angelo State made a comeback bid early in the second half, scoring two touchdowns in a four-minute span, but CSU-Pueblo continued to play like a top-five team and refused to let the score get any closer.
A streak of 17 unanswered points for the ThunderWolves began when Josh Sandoval took an Angelo State punt 55-yards for a touchdown near midway through the third quarter, giving them a 28-17 lead at the time.
Paul Browning furthered his reputation as a home-run threat on the next drive, hauling in an 84-yard pass from Bonner to set up a Greg O’Donnell field goal.
With two catches for 148 yards, Browning averaged 74-yards-per-catch and made it two consecutive weeks of having over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown.
The ThunderWolves were efficient on the ground as well, as sophomore running back Cameron McDondle broke out for 160 yards on 13 carries and Chris Ashe went 84 yards on 10 carries. Both McDondle and Ashe scored a touchdown on the night as well.
Meanwhile, quarterback Chris Bonner turned in another outstanding performance in his second start in a CSU-Pueblo uniform, completing 14 passes on 26 attempts with two touchdowns and 354 yards.
The ThunderWolves have now scored over 40 points in each of their first two games, and will look to continue their winning ways in their home opener Sept. 21 at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at 2 p.m.
The crowd is encouraged to wear red for the game against Western New Mexico as part of a “Red Out.”
