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Kaitlyn Silva
Zander Iwanski (84) blocking against the Hardrockers on Ray Dennison Memorial Field (Oct. 3, 2026)

Skyhawks welcome No. 4/5 ThunderWolves for Homecoming

10/23/2026 10:00:00 AM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement
DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis football team (2-4, 1-4 RMAC) is back home for the first time in three weeks, with the Skyhawks set to host No. 4/5 nationally ranked Colorado State University Pueblo (7-0, 5-0 RMAC) for its annual Homecoming game and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) contest on Saturday at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.
 
Game Details
Fort Lewis (2-4, 1-4 RMAC) vs. No. 4/5 CSU Pueblo (7-0, 5-0 RMAC)
Saturday, Sept. 24, 12 p.m.
Durango, Colo. – Ray Dennison Memorial Field
RMAC Network | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Homecoming Tailgate
Fort Lewis will host an improved tailgating experience for homecoming, beginning at 10 a.m., two hours before kickoff, that includes a mimosa and OJ bar, cornhole tournament, a live DJ, and more. Fans must pre-purchase a ticket to the tailgate HERE. Pre-registration is $12, and day-of tickets are $15.
 
Last Time Out
The Skyhawks will look to bounce back from the comforts of their home field after taking a 55-0 loss on the road at No. 6/6 ranked Western Colorado University (7-0, 5-0 RMAC) last Saturday (Oct. 17). The Skyhawks managed 148 yards of offense behind 68 yards on 8-of-14 passing from Brent Rickert, with Malakhi Espinosa leading the run game with 34 yards on four carries and Joseph Najarro all receivers with 35 yards on three catches. Elijah Portela notched the lone takeaway with an interception in the third quarter, and Samuel Ballas led all players with a game-high eight tackles, including one tackle for loss.
 
Skyhawks Leaders
Fifth-year senior Sam Jones remains Fort Lewis' go-to from the pocket, throwing for 767 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions on a 62.4 percent completion percentage (83-133) and a quarterback rating of 106.79. Jones is hovering around 9.2 yards per completion and 191.8 yards per game. Junior wide receiver Solomon Latimer remains the top target out wide, hauling in 32 catches for 475 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns. Latimer is averaging 14.8 yards per catch and 79.2 yards a game. On the ground, freshman KhaVontae Paul is averaging 3.4 yards per carry and 23.3 yards a game as the leading running back with 140 yards on 41 attempts.
 
"Agent 0" fifth-year defensive back Trenton Sullivan continues to spearhead the defense through week seven with 58 tackles, 20 solo and 38 assisted, with five tackles for 13 yards lost, one sack, two pass breakups, and two quarterback hurries. Sophomore linebacker Drennan Dowell is hot on his heels with 52 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for 16 yards lost and 2.5 sacks for 11 yards, in addition to two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one quarterback hurry.
 
Durango High School graduate and fifth-year defensive end Walter Stauffer will look to set the edge, where he boasts 28 tackles, including 7.0 tackles for a combined 22 yards lost and 3.5 sacks for 14 yards, alongside four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. Ballas has also been hot in recent weeks, reaching 34 tackles, 4.0 tackles for 15 yards lost, and a team-leading two forced fumbles.
 
Thunderous Three-Peat
Fourth-year head coach Philip Vigil and CSU Pueblo are in the hunt for a rare feat: their third-consecutive RMAC title. The ThunderWolves walk into Saturday's contest No. 4 on the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Poll and No. 5 on the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll. The Pack is 35-7 overall with Vigil at the helm, including 30-2 in conference play with an NCAA Division II-leading 31-game conference winning streak.
 
Scouting The Pack
CSU Pueblo is one of 10 teams still undefeated, primarily off its offensive success, where The Pack lead all of NCAA DII at 561.9 yards per game with the nation's second-highest third-down conversion rate at 56.5 percent. The ThunderWolves primarily strike through the air, where the team ranks sixth in passing offense (324.9 yards per game), sixth in yards per completion (16.84 yards), and fourth in team passing efficiency (190.52 rating).
 
Sophomore quarterback Navi Bruzon has been nearly perfect, throwing for 2,080 yards, 23 touchdowns, 297.1 yards per game, and 16.8 yards per completion on 124 completions in 190 attempts (65.3 percent) with only three interceptions. 12 different ThunderWolves have hauled in touchdowns, but none more than junior Marcellus Honeycutt, Jr.'s six touchdowns and 619 yards on 32 catches. On the ground, sophomore Russell Patton has rushed for another 443 yards and two touchdowns.
 
The Pack is no slouch defensively, coming in at No. 39 nationally, conceding 316.0 yards per game to opponents. Opponents have scored an average of just 16.0 points per game, a mark that ranks 15th nationally. Sophomore linebacker Carter Daniels captains the defense with a team-leading 55 tackles, 7.5 tackles for 31 yards, four sacks for 26 yards, and one interception and pass breakup each. Redshirt junior defensive back David Houston III paces the secondary with two interceptions and five pass breakups, while senior defensive lineman Jaylen Booth has dominated the trenches for 9.5 tackles for 57 yards lost and 5.5 sacks for 48 yards.
 
Looking Ahead
Fort Lewis returns to the road next Saturday, Oct. 31, for another RMAC contest against the Chadron State College Eagles (2-5, 1-4 RMAC) up on Elliot Field at Don Beebe Stadium in Chadron, Neb. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
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