PUEBLO — Jesse Lewis rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns, and Ross Dausin threw for 118 yards and three touchdowns Saturday as CSU-Pueblo defeated Western New Mexico 48-7, ending the regular season with a perfect record and the RMAC championship.
The ThunderWolves (11-0, 9-0 RMAC) jumped to an early lead, scoring 28 points in the first half. The defense allowed just one touchdown by the Mustangs (5-6, 4-5), a 9-yard catch by Markis Sumpter from David Ingram with just more than a minute remaining in the first half. The defense, which had six sacks, held Western New Mexico to 34 yards rushing.
It’s the first 11-0 season in CSU-Pueblo history and just the fourth 11-0 season in the RMAC. It also marks the second championship in CSU-Pueblo school history, and the first since 1980.
On Dausin’s second touchdown of the game, he broke the school record for most touchdown passes when he connected with Paul Browning.
The ThunderWolves await the announcement of their seeding for the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Nebraska-Kearney 45, Colorado Mines 21
KEARNEY, Neb. — The Orediggers (8-3, 6-3) were unable to stop the rushing game of the Lopers, allowing 319 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns.
Nebraska-Kearney (10-1, 8-1) was led by Rustin Dring and Jake Spitzlberger, who combined for 270 yards rushing. The Lopers’ Tommy Flanagan caught five passes for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Colorado Mines’ Dan Palmer, the RMAC’s leading rusher, was held to 34 yards on 14 carries. However, Palmer did become the third running back in Orediggers history to run for more than 1,000 yards in a season (1,016). Palmer also caught five passes for 73 yards.
Quarterback Clay Garcia passed for 238 yards (28-for-41) and two touchdowns for Mines.
The Orediggers finished with their fifth consecutive winning season.
Chadron State 24, Colorado Mesa 17 (OT)
CHADRON, Neb. — Nathan Neville caught a 35-yard pass from Robert Felberg to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but the Mavericks (4-7, 3-6) couldn’t hold off the Eagles (6-5, 6-3) in overtime.
Jeff Alcorn caught a 6-yard toss from quarterback Brandon Gorsuch for the only touchdown in overtime.
Fort Lewis 6, New Mexico Highlands 3
LAS VEGAS, N.M. — The Skyhawks (3-8, 2-7) held the Cowboys (4-7, 2-7) to just two first downs and 105 total yards.
Defensive tackle David Ferris led the way for Fort Lewis with nine tackles (four solo), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one blocked punt, and a quarterback sack for minus-4 yards.
The Skyhawks got their points on a 36-yard pass from Tim Jenkins to Blaise Cuban 4:23 into the second half. Ryan Baldwin’s extra-point kick was blocked.
Adams State 49, Western State 10
ALAMOSA — Mark Amos scored four touchdowns — two rushing, two passing — and Terjean Saffold had 117 yards rushing and two touchdowns, leading the Grizzlies (6-5, 4-5) to a season high in scoring and their 10th straight win over the Mountaineers (1-10, 1-8).
Western State quarterback Jamie Jensen passed for 92 yards and a TD.
