ALAMOSA – The Adams State University football team was looking to get its first win of the season on Saturday as it hosted Colorado State University Pueblo at Rex Field.
The Grizzlies were in the game – at least for the first quarter. After that, it was all Thunderwolves as CSU Pueblo went on to win the game 66-10.
The Thunderwolves had the ball first but punted. The Grizzlies found themselves in good field position and moved into the CSU Pueblo red zone. However, they could only salvage a 35-yard field goal by Brysen Gardner.
The Thunderwolves quickly responded as Devin Larsen threw a 69-yard touchdown to Reggie Retzlaff. Cody Ramming then ran in the two-point conversion for an 8-3 CSU Pueblo lead.
Adams State punted the next time it had the ball, but Trevor Allen’s punt pinned the Thunderwolves deep in their own territory. Then Traivian Denesto intercepted Larsen and returned the ball 12 yards for a touchdown. Gardner converted the extra point and ASU led 10-8 after the first quarter.
Larsen gave the Thunderwolves the lead for good early in the second quarter as he threw a 4-yard touchdown to Tyler Dvorak. Evan Lyons made the extra point and CSU Pueblo led 15-10.
The Thunderwolves got two more touchdowns in the second quarter. First Larsen threw a 12-yard scoring strike to Taylor Tosches, and then Howard Russell ran into the end zone on a 26-yard run. Lyons made the extra point both times and CSU Pueblo led 29-10 at halftime.
The Thunderwolves scored four times in the third quarter.
The first touchdown was a 32-yard scoring strike from Larsen to Zack Rakowsky. Then Russell ran six yards for a touchdown.
The third touchdown came as Roman Fuller threw a 67-yard pass to Nigel Mitchell. Fuller then tossed a 48-yard touchdown to Xavier Marshall.
CSU Pueblo led 56-10 after the third quarter.
Fuller threw another touchdown in the fourth quarter as he completed a 7-yard pass to Moosah Alsaffar.
Lyons wrapped up the scoring with a 35-yard field goal.
CSU Pueblo rolled up 718 yards of total offense compared to 141 for the Grizzlies.
Adams State had 59 yards on the ground with Ahmare Merrida leading with 45 yards on 16 carries. The Grizzlies’ Alexander Grado completed 12 out of 31 passes for 82 yards. Aaron Johnson had three receptions for 17 yards and Merrida had two catches for 23 yards.
Russell led CSU Pueblo with 168 rushing yards on 13 carries. Larsen completed 16 out of 24 passes for 268 yards and Fuller completed all seven of his attempts for 149 yards. Mitchell had three receptions for 89 yards, and Retzlaff had three catches for 83 yards.
Adams State (0-4, 0-2 RMAC) will travel to Nebraska to face Chadron State College on Saturday.
CSU Pueblo 66, Adams State 10
CSU Pueblo 8 21 27 10 – 66
Adams State 10 0 0 0 – 10
First quarter
ASU – Gardner 35 FG, 9:38
CSUP – Retzlaff 69 pass from Larsen (Ramming run), 8:24
ASU – Denesto 12 interception return (Gardner kick)
Second quarter
CSUP – Dvorak 4 pass from Larsen (Lyons kcik), 9:12
CSUP – Tosches 12 pass from Larsen (Lyons kick), 6:47
CSUP – Russell 26 run (Lyons kick), 5:33
Third quarter
CSUP – Rakowsky 32 pass from Larsen (Lyons kick), 12:58
CSUP – Russell 6 run (Lyons kick), 10:37
CSUP – Mitchell 67 pass from Fuller (Lyons kick), 7:15
CSUP – Marshall 48 pass from Fuller (kick failed), 2:34
Fourth quarter
CSUP – Alsaffar 7 pass from Fuller (Lyons kick), 12:06
CSUP – Lyons 35 FG, 4:08
