NCAAF
If Colorado State University Pueblo had any offseason rust, they left it in the locker room.
In front of a sea of red at the ThunderBowl, the No. 6-ranked ThunderWolves dismantled South Dakota Mines in a 43-0 blowout to kick off their 2025 campaign. It was more than a win — it was a flex. A surgical, smashmouth, no-mercy kind of flex that said, “We’re back, and we’re hunting banners.”
Reggie Retzlaff put himself in the school record books. A.J. Jordan turned defense into points. And the Pack defense? Let’s just say the Hardrockers are going to see CSU Pueblo’s front seven in their nightmares for a while.
CSU Pueblo set the tone from the jump. After forcing a three-and-out to open the game, the Pack marched 61 yards in eight plays, capping the drive with a 12-yard dart from Roman Fuller to Retzlaff for the season’s first score. Retzlaff, already a certified problem for opposing secondaries, snagged his 25th career touchdown reception — breaking the school record on night one. Just for fun, tight end Seth Bozzi added a two-point conversion, and the Pack were up 8-0 before South Dakota Mines had time to blink.
The Hardrockers tried to respond midway through the second quarter, but a missed 40-yard field goal by Sam Eccles kept them scoreless. Fuller responded by going 8-for-8 on the next drive, leading a 13-play, 77-yard symphony that ended in a one-yard QB sneak touchdown. That made it 15-0 — and the floodgates were officially open.
Cue the biggest momentum swing of the night: On South Dakota Mines’ next drive, Ashur Carraha coughed up the ball after a crushing sack by Kahden Rullo, and A.J. Jordan scooped and scored on a 74-yard fumble return. With just over a minute left in the half, it was 22-0, and Mines was already toast.
This game belonged to Reggie Retzlaff. The redshirt senior wideout looked every bit the WR1, hauling in 6 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns. His second score — a 34-yard bomb from Fuller in the third quarter — put him at 26 career touchdown receptions, extending the newly minted school record. If he’s not on NFL scouts’ radars yet, they need new glasses.
Roman Fuller, meanwhile, continues to be one of the most efficient QBs in DII. After leading the country in completion percentage last year (70%), he came out hot, going 23-of-35 for 231 yards and two touchdowns — plus a 1-yard rushing score. He threw completions to nine different receivers. Precision. Patience. Poise. He’s him.
On the other side of the ball, CSU Pueblo’s defense unleashed hell. Seven sacks. Two interceptions. Eight tackles for loss. And they held the Hardrockers to just 2.8 yards per play. Samuel Odelami logged two sacks by himself. Rullo had a sack and the forced fumble that turned into Jordan’s scoop-and-score. Micah Lutu added another sack. This was violence, organized and relentless.
South Dakota Mines was driving late in the first half. Down just 15-0, they had crossed into ThunderWolf territory and looked ready to make it a one-score game before the break. Instead, Carraha got obliterated by Rullo, fumbled, and Jordan housed it 74 yards the other way.
That play wasn’t just a 14-point swing. It was the dagger. The Pack entered halftime up 22-0, the crowd in full throat, and Mines never recovered.
Let’s be real — South Dakota Mines isn’t Grand Valley State. But beating anyone 43-0 is hard, and doing it in a season opener? Even harder. This wasn’t just a win. This was a clear signal to the rest of Division II: CSU Pueblo is not here to mess around.
Philip Vigil has now racked up 19 wins in just over two seasons. The culture is tight. The system is humming. And with playmakers like Fuller, Retzlaff, and Jordan on both sides of the ball, the ceiling isn’t just playoffs — it’s a deep run.
The Pack won’t have long to soak this one in. Fort Hays State is coming to the ThunderBowl next Thursday for Throwback Night. The Tigers are licking their wounds after a 28-7 loss to #13 Angelo State, but they’re a proud program with votes in the AFCA Preseason Poll. Expect CSU Pueblo to come out with blood in their eyes and a throwback jersey on their chest.
On a night built for fireworks, CSU Pueblo lit the fuse and never let go of the match.
They didn’t just win. They dominated. They suffocated. They announced themselves to anyone who wasn’t paying attention. And in a conference where every game is a potential landmine, the Pack just planted a flag.
This team has the juice. The question is — who’s going to stop them?
(Spoiler: it’s not South Dakota Mines.)
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