Mesa State (4-3, 4-1) football defeated CSU-Pueblo (3-4, 2-3) 21-13 at the DeRose ThunderBowl in Pueblo Saturday night to remain one game behind league leading Neb.-Kearney (5-0) and Colorado School Mines (5-0).
CSU-Pueblo reinstated their football program in 2008 and the game marked the first visit for the Mavericks to the DeRose ThunderBowl.
James Hamm's 25-yard touchdown run with six seconds remaining in the first quarter gave the Mavs a 7-0 lead. MSC drove 72-yards in 10 plays for the games first score.
On the ensuing possession the T-Wolves marched down to the MSC 4-yard line where the Mav defense held CSU-P forcing a field goal (37 yards). Linebacker Bennett Newton was in on all three defensive stops, including a solo tackle on second and goal at the 7-yard line.
MSC answered right back on a series that began with Trent deBraga's 35-yard kick return to the MSC 47-yard line. MSC went 53 yards in five plays, capped off by Hamm's second rushing touchdown of the game and a 14-3 lead. Starting quarterback Michael Mankoff completed three consecutive passes and a 15-yard rouging the passer penalty on CSU-P set up the 17-yard Hamm touchdown run.
The T-Wolves scored their first touchdown of the game to pull to within 10-14 on the next possession. CSU-P's 80-yard drive in eight plays was sparked by a 46-yard pass play to start the drive.
After four consecutive scoring possessions the teams were forced to punt on each of the next offensive series. As time was winding down in the first half the Mavs 29-yard field goal attempt by Michael Sweeney was blocked as time expired.
In the third quarter MSC extended the lead to 21-10 on a Mankoff to Seth Damron 5-yard touchdown reception.
CSU-P tacked on a 43-yard field goal with 6:23 remaining in regulation falling to the Mavericks by the final score of 21-13.
MSC rushed for 196 yards and passed for 148 for 344 total offensive yards. CSU-Pueblo's 293 total yards included 155 rushing and 138 passing.
In his first collegiate start, Michael Mankoff was 15 of 27 for 148 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Will Halboth had a game high 138 yards rushing on 25 carries, both career highs. Griffon Chernoff finished with four receptions for 55 yards.
Bennett Newton led the team with 10 tackles (6 solo). Tony Kelly finished with 7 tackles, including 5 solo and 1 sack. Aaron Silverthorn recorded 8 tackles and picked off his second interception of the year late in the fourth quarter.
The victory marked the third road win for the Mavs as they prepare next week for a match up at Western State in Gunnison next Saturday at 1 p.m.
