GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – The No. 17 Colorado Mesa University football team made a pair of back-to-back goal line stops to preserve a 20-19 win over CSU-Pueblo Saturday (Oct. 1). The win was the first over CSUP since 2009.

The Mavericks trailed 19-13 after Nathan Taylor of CSU-Pueblo kicked a 25-yard field goal with 5:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Mavericks responded with a touchdown on the following drive.

Sean Rubalcaba completed a five-yard pass to Josh Brown on the first play of the drive but Rubalcaba lost one-yard on a rush the following play. The drive appeared to have stalled when Rubalcaba was sacked for a nine-yard loss on third down but a personal foul penalty by CSUP gave the Mavericks a first down.

Rubalcaba completed four straight passes including an 11-yard touchdown strike to David Tann to complete a six-play, 79-yard drive.

The Thunderwolves completed a six-yard pass on the first play of its next drive before a pair of incomplete passes. Dustin Rivas intercepted a pass on fourth down, his fourth of the season, to give the Mavs the ball back with 2:29 remaining.

The Mavericks were unable to reach a first down losing two yards on the three-play drive.

Pueblo caught a break by blocking the Mesa punt and taking over on the CMU 40-yard line.

Rex Dausin opened the drive with back-to-back passes to Zach Boyd for a combined 26 yards.

Bernard McDondle ran for 12 yards to the two-yard line with 11 seconds remaining.

Rex Dausin tried to score on the quarterback sneak but was stopped at the line.

An inadvertent whistle stopped the clock giving Pueblo one more try with 11 seconds remaining.

The Mavericks stopped Dausin on another quarterback keeper to hold on for the win as time expired.

Pueblo's first scoring drive of the game came thanks to a shortened field following an interception by CMU quarterback Sean Rubalcaba, his first of the season.

CSUP gained four yards on two plays before settling for a 33-yard field goal that was tipped at the line but hit the crossbar and fell over at 9:13 of the first quarter. The field goal was the first allowed by the CMU defense this season.

CMU responded with a field goal of their own to tie the game at 3-3 with 5:45 of the first quarter.

Pueblo's second scoring drive of the game also started after an interception by Sean Rubalcaba. The Pack covered 56-yards on 11 plays before Nathan Taylor kicked a field goal from 41-yards.

Bernard McDondle gave CSUP a 13-3 lead at halftime with an 11-yard touchdown run with 2:09 remaining in the second.

Both teams would add a field goal in the third quarter, Taylor from 25-yards and Sheehan from 30-yards, as CSUP continued to lead 16-6.

The Mavericks finally found the end zone at 9:10 of the fourth quarter when David Tann scored on a one-yard run. The seven-play, 60-yard drive was highlighted by a 34-yard pass completion to Peter Anderson to pull the Mavs within three, 16-13.

CSUP rushed for 202 yards thanks to 188 yards from Bernard McDondle.

CMU was held to 65 yards rushing, but Sean Rubalcaba completed 21-of-31 passes for 287 yards.

CSUP quarterback Rex Dausin threw for 208 yards completing 19-of-36 passes.

Pueblo was hindered by 13 penalties for 119 yards, and Mesa was flagged six times for 56 yards.

CSUP led 36:00 to 24:00 in time of possession.

Blake Nelson and Dustin Rivas each finished with a team-high nine tackles. Rivas also finished with one tackle for a loss of four yards, forced one fumble and intercepted a pass.

Colorado Mesa (5-0, 5-0) will play at Black Hills State Oct. 8^th.