CSU Pueblo football sets school record for points in a game with victory over Fort Lewis

A quarterback change for the CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves spurred a massive turnaround as the team finally got back in the win column with a school record 75-3 victory over the Fort Lewis Skyhawks.  

Quarterback Hunter Raquet got the nod as starting quarterback for the ThunderWolves in an effort to stir things up by coach John Wristen. His decision to make several changes for this game worked out in favor of the home team, which was celebrating its homecoming.  

The vibe on the sideline was much more upbeat than it's been the past few weeks and this was due in large part to the fast start that the ThunderWolves got in the first half. After putting up 21 points in the first quarter and shutting out the Skyhawks, the ThunderWolves put up another 28 points in the second quarter to lead 49-3 at halftime. The score was just short of the CSUP record for most points scored in a half with 53, which was set last year against the Skyhawks. The final score of 75-3 set a new school record for most points scored in a game, breaking the previous total of 73 that was also set during last year's game against the Skyhawks.  

Saturday's game was a much-needed victory for the program, which saw a record-setting performance in the first game of the season and then three straight losses.

The ThunderWolves suffocated the Skyhawks offense all game, forcing turnovers and mistakes all over the field for the visiting team.

Quarterback change sparks CSU Pueblo offense

The ThunderWolves started Hunter Raquet instead of Steve Croell, who started the first four games of the season. The change did spark the offense in a much-needed way with 21 points in the first quarter and 49 in the first half.  

Offensively, the Pack was in a good rhythm all game — thanks in large part to the way that Raquet played. 

“We challenged them to make sure they're focused on their job and not their circumstances,” Wristen said. “I thought our kids came out and played the great passion and we did what we needed to.” 

The quarterback change was not an easy decision to make. Croell was thrown into a tough first-half schedule that would put anyone behind the eight ball. But a change had to be made in order to spark the offense and remind the team that everyone needs to do their job.  

“We just felt like we needed to do something,” Wristen said. “I love Stevie to death and he was thrown into a gauntlet right there, but we needed to make sure that we had a chance and so that's why we made the change.” 

Defense stifles Skyhawks' offense

As a defense, there is no better way to start a game than to force your opponent to punt the ball on their first four possessions. Then top that off with an interception and another forced punt.  

The defense for the Pack stifled the Skyhawks' offense. They forced five turnovers in the game and held the visiting team to just 157 yards of total offense on the day — a big turnaround from the previous three games, all losses, in which they gave up an average of 423 yards per game.  

The defensive star of the game was defensive back Eric Donnell. Donnell had two interceptions in the game along with another pass breakup and two tackles. He and the rest of the Pack defense were swarming all over the field in Saturday's game. 

More: CSU Pueblo football tripped up at No. 21 Colorado School of Mines

Starting field position key to victory

If there was one clear key to the game, it was starting field position. The Pack was extremely fortunate to have an amazing starting field position all game long, thanks in large part to the defense and the effort put in on the punt return game by Andrew Cook. 

Cook put the Pack comfortably into the opposing team's territory consistently all game long. The average starting position in the first quarter alone was the opponent’s 36-yard line. This allowed a short field for Raquet to work with in his first start of the season for the Pack.  

Wristen was happy with Cook’s play Saturday and spoke about the sophomore's hard work. 

“He's a player, isn't he?” Wristen said. “He's reliable, he works hard, he's humble, and I was glad that he was able to get results like that today.” 

Going into the coming week, the ThunderWolves will look to build off this moment as they have a tough opponent on the road in Adams State. 

“We got to go 1-0 versus a really solid Adams State team,” Wristen said. “We got to understand that it's going to be a backyard brawl and they're going to be up and ready for us. We got to make sure we continue to go to work.” 

As far as the quarterback situation going into next week, Wristen’s response was simple.  

“We will see.” 

More:CSU Pueblo football drops RMAC opener to Western Colorado University

Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or on Twitter: @chowebacca