Mesa State's (2-5, 2-4) home win streak was snapped Saturday night as the CSU-Pueblo (6-2, 4-2) ThunderWolves defeated the Mavericks 26-14 on a rainy and wet evening that delayed the start of the game by 40 minutes due to lightening strikes.
CSU-Pueblo jumped out to a 14-0 lead scoring first on a 2-yard run in the first quarter, capping off an 11-play, 85 yard drive. The ThunderWolves scored early in the second quarter on Jamaal Johnson's second touchdown run of the evening, a 1-yard dash in to the end zone pushing the lead to 14-0.
On the ensuing possession MSC put together a 13-play 61-yard drive set up by a Michael Mankoff to Robert Felberg 24-yard pass on third-and 13 to the T-Wolves one-yard line. Two plays later JR Hamm scored to pull the Mavs to within 7-14.
MSC's Sean Matheson intercepted CSU-Pueblo's Sebastian Trujillo giving the ball back to the Mavs offense at the CSU-P's 41-yard line. Mankoff went 3-for-3 in a five-play drive scoring on a Mankoff to Nathan Neville touchdown reception for a 14-14 tie with 30 seconds remaining in the first half.
CSU-P opened the second half with a pass interception that Grant Crunkleton returned 40 yards for a 20-14 (PAT Failed) lead.
MSC's Trent deBraga took the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to the MSC 46-yard line. MSC drove the ball down to the T-Wolves 8-yard line before the drive stalled. MSC failed to convert on a 25-yard field goal attempt turning the ball back over the CSU-P.
The T-Wolves were forced to punt after failing on a third-and-seven recovering their own fumble. Brandon Kliesen's punt was downed at the MSC 10-yard line. On third-and –four on the MSC 16-yard line CSU-P's Stephan Dickens intercepted a Mankoff pass at the MSC 24-yard line as the third quarter came to an end. The drive stalled at the MSC 26-yard line and the T-Wolves settled for a 43-yard field goal and a 23-14 lead.
CSU-P put the game away after a 36-yard field goal by Kyle Major with 4:06 remaining in the game.
CSU-Pueblo rushed for 193 yards led by Lewis' 119 yards on 23 carries. Trujillo and Ross Dausin combined for 119 passing yards and 312 total yards.
MSC finished with 74 rushing yards and 110 passing for 184 total yards. Hamm ran for 71 yards on 25 carries. Mankoff completed 12-19 passes for 110 yards and had two interceptions.
Jake Bruno led all players with 13 tackles. Trent deBraga and Tanner Whaley finished with 12 and 11 tackles respectively. MSC had two sacks (Bruno, Justin Brown, Domonique Lewis) and one interception by Matheson in the second quarter.
Mesa State will host Western State College this Saturday, 6 p.m. at Stocker Stadium.
Box Score
