Box Score | Photo Gallery | Video Highlights

“They are an excellent team, they have got the size and they have got the speed.” That's how Coach Russ Martin sized up the Mavericks (3-6, 3-4 RMAC) competition Saturday night in NCAA Division II No. 1-ranked CSU-Pueblo (9-0, 7-0 RMAC).

Coming off a tough loss to Mines last Saturday, which saw the Mavericks lose starting quarterback Jason Haferman to a strained MCL the Mavs came home to the toughest opponent they would see all year.

The game started with a muffed kick-off return and a quick three-and-out by the Maverick offense. A weak punt by the Mavericks and an 18-yard return to the CMU 27-yard line set up the T-Wolves first score of the evening. Three players later CSU-Pueblo on a 19-yard touchdown run by J.B. Mathews. 

On the ensuing kick-off, Trent deBraga woke the team back up with a 48-yard return, putting the Maverick offense on the 50 yard line to start the drive. As the Mavs worked their way down the field, nearing the end zone; the seasons early starting signal caller, Deke Cisco mishandled a snap out of shot gun, and turned the ball over to the Thunderwolves.

With the Thunderwolves not being able to move the ball in their second offensive possession the Mavericks were given their next chance. A strong run by Jake Cimolino put the Mavs inside the red zone. CMU reached the CSU-P two-yard line but had had to settle for a 21-yard field goal by Alex Zemezonak to pull to within 7-3 with 4:15 remaining in the first quarter. 

CMU's defense looked strong in the first quarter as Coach Todd Auer's defense kept the Thunderwolves offense at bay the rest of the first quarter after the early score. The Mavs defense was put into a hole to start the second quarter as Jake Cimolino did not get a hand on a pitch, and the Thunderwolves gained possession on the CMU 25. Making quick work of a short field, CSU-Pueblo ran in for their second touchdown of the night for a 14-3 lead.

Things did not get much better for the Mavs on the ensuing kickoff. A short pooch kick that landed just inside Mesa territory was not handled properly and as the whistle blew, the Thunderwolves came up with the ball and again good field position.

After a forced fumble and recovery by the Maverick defense, the offense could not get going. After the punt by the Mavs, the Thunderwolves made quick work once again. Off a beautiful pass from quarterback Ross Dausin to receiver Paul Browning in the back corner of the end zone CSU-Pueblo pushed the lead to 21-3 with 7:09 remaining in the first half. 

Early in the first quarter and into the second quarter the Maverick defense was the story of the game, as they played stingy and held the CSU-Pueblo offense better than most expected.

“They're the best team in the country right now; I think we lost a grip in the second quarter. They just started pouring salt on the wound after that,” senior defensive end Domonique Lewis said. As the second quarter rolled on, the defense began to wear down and CSU-Pueblo threw and ran at will. CSU-P closed out the first half on a 35-yard field goal and a 27-3 lead at the half.

The second half started off with a run heavy drive by the Thunderwolves, capped off with a 27- yard passing touchdown and 34-3 advantage.

A 54-yard kick return by Jordan Price put some life back into a dwindling and cold crowd inside Stocker Stadium.  A run only drive put CMU inches away from the redzone. Unable to convert, the Mavericks brought out Alex Zemenzonak to attempt the field goal. Wide left was the result and the Mavs went back to defense.

The remainder of the third quarter was nothing more than an exercise in Thunderwolves time management, as CSU-Pueblo possessed the ball nearly 10 minutes during the third quarter. CSU-P extended their lead to 31-3 on a 1-yard run by J.B. Mathews with 54-seconds remaining in the third quarter. 

The fourth quarter got off with a bang for the Mavs. Deke Cisco scrambled on second down and unloaded a pass to DJ Hubbard inside the 10 yard line. Three plays later, Cisco kept the ball and scored the Mavericks first touchdown of the night (41-10) with 11:51 remaining in regulation.

CSU-Pueblo closed out the fourth quarter on pace with that of the early part of the night. The Thunderwolves worked on their run game while the Mavericks continued to fight every play. CSU-P scored their final touchdown on a 55-yard pass from Tony Graham (48-10) driving 70-yards on four plays.

Jake Cimolino led all rushers on the night finishing with 106 yards on 16 carries. “We shot ourselves in the foot early. The one I had, we just came off a huge momentum shift with defense crushing them. That just changed the momentum.” Cimolino said.

Deke Cisco was 12 for 27 with 139 yards through the air, and one rushing touchdown. “They are a good team, and we didn't play our best game. You have got to capitalize on opportunities when you play a team like this.” Cisco said.

The Mavericks would fall to the number one team in the country 48-10.

Momentum was absolutely the topic of discussion on the CMU sideline after the loss. Including long time Maverick fan, Brandon “Sunshine” Meyer. “When we get momentum we need to capitalize.” Meyer said, “And from what I saw from the team tonight we didn't capitalize.”

The Mavericks will host Western State Colorado University (1-8, 1-6 RMAC) next Saturday for their last home game of the season. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m. CMU will honor 11 seniors prior to kick-off.