Box Score PUEBLO, Colo. – Despite equaling CSU-Pueblo in first downs (17) and outgaining the Thunderwolves through the air (237-153), the Western New Mexico University football team ran into a tough No. 2 team in the nation that defeated the Mustangs, 48-7, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon.


Playing against one of the top defenses in the nation, WNMU (5-6, 4-5 RMAC) tallied a first down on their opening drive behind a pair of David Ingram (Irvine, CA/Woodbridge HS) runs.


With the Mustangs out near midfield and faced with a fourth-and-five, a big loss of 13 on the punt attempt gave CSU-P (11-0, 9-0 RMAC) great starting field position at the WNMU 33.


The T-Wolves took advantage, finishing the drive in seven plays, capped by a three-yard run by Jesse Lewis to put CSU-P on top 7-0 after the extra point five minutes in.


The Mustangs had another solid drive working on their next possession, but it fizzled at the T-Wolves 42, as three straight incompletions forced a punt.


However, on the return, Salih Johnwell (Pomona, CA/Etiwanda HS) forced a fumble that was recovered by Aaron Kleinpeter (Phoenix, AZ/Red Mountain HS) at the CSU-P 18.


Making a case as to why their defense is one of the top around, the T-Wolves forced an incompletion and a sack, before intercepting Ingram at the three to turn away the good starting field position.


It didn't take CSU-P long to capitalize on the turnover, breaking off an 87-yard run on the third play of the drive to open the lead to 14-0 after the extra point near the end of the first quarter.


CSU-P would go on to tally two more touchdowns in the second quarter to open up a 28-0 lead before WNMU got on the board with a drive that began at their 22.


Ingram used the aerial attack on the drive, completing passes of seven to Shamone Fletcher (San Diego, CA/Mira Mesa HS), six to Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly), 13 to Abraham Macias (El Paso, TX/Socorro HS), 19 to Fletcher, 15 to Byrd, before a nine-yard strike to Markis  Sumpter found the end zone and after Kameron Drawhorn (San Diego, CA/Fallbrook HS) added the extra point leaving it a 28-7 game near halftime.


The Mustangs nearly added points again before halftime, as Drawhorn came away with an interception out near midfield with a minute to play in the half.


Ingram hit Sal Garcia for a 19-yard completion that moved the ball down to the CSU-P 27, but with just seven seconds left on the clock. The Mustangs looked for one more play, but the T-Wolves came away with a sack to end the half.


The T-Wolves tallied a touchdown early in the second half after a failed fake punt attempt put the ball at the WNMU 23. On the second play, a 23-yard touchdown pass found the end zone for a 35-7 lead.


Two field goals by Kyle Major would make it a 41-7 game ending the third quarter.


After CSU-P tallied what would turn out to be the final score of the game at the 9:59 mark to make it 48-7, the Mustangs mounted one last drive on the next possession.


Beginning at their own 36, the Mustangs came up with a big fourth-and-five pickup as backup quarterback John Johnston (Albuquerque, NM/Del Norte HS) connected with senior linebacker Jacob Cross (Bakersfield, CA/Centennial HS) for a 14-yard gain and a first down out to the T-Wolves 45.


Ingram later found David Reveles (Oxnard, CA/Oxnard HS) for a 12-yard completion that moved the ball to the 31.


Scott Kneisel (Mesa, AZ/Dobson HS) would later get into the act, taking a third down carry inside the 10 for a three-yard gain and a first-and-goal at the nine.


After a rush netted no yards and a four-yard completion to Fletcher moved the ball to the five, CSU-P again stood tall on defense, coming away with an interception at the one to end the drive.


Daveon Barner (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Polytechnic) led the rushing attack, going for 28 yards on seven attempts.


Through the air, Ingram completed 28-of-48 for 223 yards and a touchdown, along with three interceptions.


Byrd led the receivers with seven catches for 59 yards, while Fletcher added six catches for 46 yards.


Defensively, Cross again led the way with eight stops, three solo, while Anthony Phillips (Houston, TX/Dobie HS) chipped in with six, four solo.


Ingram's one season with the Mustangs was a great one and one that placed him amongst the leaders in the RMAC this season.


He finished the season with 2,927 yards passing, good for second-most in the conference, while leading the conference in passing touchdowns (24).


Sumpter also tied for the most receiving touchdowns with Dustin Bolt, as they each ended up with 11, with both pulling in TDs on Saturday.

 
  Score by Quarters     1  2  3  4   Score
  -----------------    -- -- -- --   -----
  Western N.M.........  0  7  0  0  -  7       Record: (5-6,4-5)
  CSU-Pueblo.......... 14 14 13  7  - 48       Record: (11-0,9-0)
 
  Scoring Summary:
  1st 09:08 CSUP - J. Lewis 3 yd run (K. Major kick), 7-33 2:31, WNMU 0 - CSUP 7
      03:48 CSUP - J. Lewis 87 yd run (K. Major kick), 3-96 1:27, WNMU 0 - CSUP 14
  2nd 14:55 CSUP - J. Johnson 13 yd pass from R. Dausin (K. Major kick), 6-50 2:26, WNMU 0 - CSUP 21
      04:17 CSUP - P. Browning 4 yd pass from R. Dausin (K. Major kick), 13-73 7:56, WNMU 0 - CSUP 28
      01:06 WNMU - Markis Sumpter (Oceanside, CA/Fallbrook High School) 9 yd pass from David Ingram (Irvine, CA/Woodbridge HS) (K. Drawhorn kick), 10-78 3:05, WNMU 7 - CSUP 28
  3rd 12:40 CSUP - D. Cooper 23 yd pass from R. Dausin (K. Major kick), 2-23 0:49, WNMU 7 - CSUP 35
      06:42 CSUP - K. Major 46 yd field goal, 7-45 2:50, WNMU 7 - CSUP 38
      00:53 CSUP - K. Major 39 yd field goal, 10-40 5:04, WNMU 7 - CSUP 41
  4th 09:59 CSUP - C. Roberts 48 yd interception return (K. Major kick), , WNMU 7 - CSUP 48