Box Score SILVER CITY, N.M. – The opening drive resulted in a touchdown for the Western New Mexico University football team and they were down just seven at halftime to No. 2 Colorado State University-Pueblo. The ThunderWolves then turned it on in the second half outscoring the Mustangs 31-0 to take the 45-7 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Ben Altamirano Field.

The first half was a defensive struggle and featured a combined 15 punts. WNMu (1-3, 0-2 RMAC) excited the home crowd early on, as the defense came up with a big stop on the first CSU-Pueblo (4-0, 2-0 RMAC) possession. With a fourth-and-one at the CSU-P 34, they decided to go for it and a big surge up front by Shiane Tupua (Oceanside, CA/Banning) and Avery Crump (Los Angeles, CA/Verbum Dei) helped stop Cameron McDondle short of the line to gain and giving the Mustangs the ball at the 34.

With a second-and-nine at the ThunderWolves' 21, Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) rolled out and hit Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) in the flat and he turned on the jets to beat everyone to the end zone for a 21-yard score and 7-0 Mustang lead after Josh McIntire (El Cajon, CA/West Hills) added the point after.

Multiple defensive stops and punts would follow before CSU-Pueblo would take advantage of a 36-yard punt return by Stephan Dickens that had them at the WNMU 11. On the next play, McDondle went in for the score to knot the game at seven near the end of the first quarter.

Following a shot punt, the ThunderWolves were primed for another score at the Mustang 35. After a 14-yard scamper and short pass, a 15-yard strike to the end zone had CSU-Pueblo ahead 14-7 with 12:54 to play before halftime.

WNMU would threaten a few drives later, as a big 24-yard rumble by Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ) had the Mustangs out near midfield, but the stout ThunderWolves' defense would force a punt. Both teams would continue to trade punts, as the Mustang defense came through with a big stop near halftime leaving the score at 14-7 at the break.

Both teams would punt to begin the second half when an interception helped spark the ThunderWolves. C.J. Roberts hauled in an interception at the Mustang 38 and six plays later CSU-Pueblo was back in the end zone ahead 21-7.

The Mustangs were ready to answer on the ensuing drive. With a third-and-10 at the WNMU 25, Glasmann would avoid several would-be sacks before locating Marcus Smith (San Diego, CA/Mira Mesa HS) for a 21-yard hookup and first down at the WNMU 46. Later, Glasmann would hit Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) for a tough catch down the near sidelines around two defenders for a 24-yard play to the CSU-Pueblo 30. A Rodgers 22 yard pickup had the ball at the eight when against the ThunderWolves' defense came through. A sack on third-and-goal would lead to a field goal attempt that was missed leaving it a 21-7 game with 6:26 to play in the third quarter after WNMU went 10 plays and 63 yards.

With the momentum on the side of the number two team in the nation, they would run with it going on to score on the next four possessions to take the 45-7 victory.

WNMU outgained CSU-Pueblo through the air, 174-146, while the ThunderWolves held the 211-53 edge on the ground and 357-227 overall advantage. Glasmann completed 18-of-45 for 167 and a touchdown. Chris Bonner tossed three touchdowns, while completing 14-of-29. Rodgers chewed up 32 yards on 12 carries, while Barnes added 32 yards on 12 attempts. Receiving-wise, Willie Bobbit (Downey, CA/Downey) had three catches for 45 yards, Ayers also had three grabs for 46 yards and Rodgers added 41 yards on six passes.

McDondle had a big game for the ThunderWolves, rushing for 132 yards and two scores, while also catching a TD pass.

WNMU will remain home this coming Saturday as they will host Fort Lewis for Homecoming at 1:30 p.m. New Mexico Highlands continued their offensive prowess defeating the Skyhawks, 45-10, earlier today in Durango.