In their final contest against each other, the CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves took down Western New Mexico University 42-27. After this season, Western New Mexico will leave the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for the Lone Star Conference.
Both teams went scoreless through the first quarter before the Western New Mexico Mustangs landed an 86-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Glasmann.
The Pack answered with a touchdown by Bernard McDondle on a 5-yard run to tie it up 7-7 in the second quarter. Both teams again exchanged touchdowns and tied it up with about five minutes left in the first half.
The Pack then managed to pull in another touchdown off a 5-yard run by Cameron McDondle with 1:37 remaining.
The play by McDondle broke the tie and brought it to a 21-14 lead. Shortly after, Western New Mexico answered with another touchdown with 17 seconds left in the half and tied the game 21-21 at halftime.
After halftime, the Pack went to the end zone twice to put the score at 35-21 over the Mustangs. They then worked defensively to garner a balance attack on both sides of the ball.
To open the third quarter, Kieren Duncan, a CSU-Pueblo senior wide receiver, brought back the kickoff for 47-yards. The ThunderWolves went 53 yards down the field for a touchdown. The Pack used the third quarter to open a two-touchdown lead over the Mustangs.
The Pack dug deep following halftime, even though the Mustangs were able to move the ball at times in the second half.
The ThunderWolves only allowed Western New Mexico to score one time in the third quarter. To cut the gap, Mitch Glassmann threw his 100th touchdown pass, setting the record in the conference.
The ThunderWolves continued to be pressed by the Mustangs, surpassing midfield multiple times, but the Pack didn’t budge. Special teams were able to block a Mustang field goal kick in the third and forced four turnovers on downs in the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Pack topped WNMU with Cameron McDondle’s third and final score of the contest.
Deontrae Cooper, a senior wide receiver, was able to surpass 100 yards receiving for the first time in his collegiate career, and went for 104 yards on four receptions, including a career-long 75 reception for a touchdown. His previous career high was in 2013 against Adams State when he tallied 96 yards.
Cameron McDondle worked for a season-high 193 yards on 24 carries. He made it to the back of the end zone three times, tying a career-best and marking the second time this season he has reached the painted area.
Morgan Fox recorded three sacks during the game. This was the fourth outing where he has recorded multiple sacks and second straight with three sacks.
Wesley Bennett, a junior tight end, almost recorded two blocked field goals.
He blocked a field goal attempt by the Mustangs, but a defensive penalty negated his effort. He was more successful with blocking during a second attempt.
During the final meeting between the Pack and the Mustangs, CSU-Pueblo finalized the competition with 17-6 all-time versus WNMU and 11-12 at home. The Pack has beat the Mustangs seven straight times.
Next up the Pack will take on Adams State University in Alamosa on Oct. 3 for a RMAC contest. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Photo Gallery: (Photos by Dustin Cox)
