CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves football
| CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves football | |
|---|---|
| First season | 1938[a] |
| Athletic director | Paul Plinske |
| Head coach | Phil Vigil 2nd season, 18–4 (.818) |
| Location | Pueblo, Colorado |
| Stadium | ThunderBowl (capacity: 6,500) |
| NCAA division | Division II |
| Conference | RMAC |
| Colors | Red and blue[1] |
| National championships | |
| Claimed | 1 (2014) |
| Conference championships | |
| 10 (1980, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2024, 2025) | |
| Website | www.gothunderwolves.com |
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The CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves football program represent Colorado State University Pueblo in college football at the NCAA Division II level. They have fielded a football team every year since 1938 with the exceptions of 1943 to 1945 and 1985 to 2007.
History
Championships
National championships
CSU Pueblo has won one NCAA Division II Football Championship.
| Year | Association | Division | Head coach | Record | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | NCAA (1) | Division II (1) | John Wristen | 14–1 (8–1 RMAC) | Minnesota State | W, 13–0 |
Conference championships
CSU Pueblo has won eight conference titles.[2]
| Year | Conference | Coach | Overall record | Conference record | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | RMAC | Mike Friedman | 9–1 | 7–1 | |
| 2011 | RMAC | John Wristen | 11–1 | 9–0 | |
| 2012 | RMAC | John Wristen | 12–1 | 9–0 | |
| 2013 | RMAC | John Wristen | 11–1 | 9–0 | |
| 2014 | RMAC | John Wristen | 14–1 | 8–1 | |
| 2016 | RMAC | John Wristen | 8–3 | 8–2 | |
| 2017 | RMAC | John Wristen | 9–3 | 9–1 | |
| 2018 | RMAC | John Wristen | 11–2 | 9–1 | |
| 2024 | RMAC | Philip Vigil | 10–2 | 9–0 | |
| 2025 | RMAC | Philip Vigil | 10–2 | 9–0 | |
| 10 conference championships | |||||
- CSU Pueblo vacated their RMAC Championship from the 2015 season due to an administrative oversight which resulted in the use of an ineligible player.[3]
Postseason appearances
NAIA Division I playoffs
The ThunderWolves, then known as the Indians, made one appearance in the NAIA Division I playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Quarterfinals | Central State (OK) | L, 20–61 |
NCAA Division II playoffs
The ThunderWolves have made ten appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 7–9.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Second Round | Minnesota–Duluth | L, 21–24 |
| 2012 | Second Round Quarterfinals |
Indianapolis West Texas A&M |
W, 28–7 L, 13–34 |
| 2013 | Second Round | Grand Valley State | L, 30–34 |
| 2014 | Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Angelo State Ohio Dominican West Georgia Minnesota State |
W, 52–14 W, 31–28 W, 10–7 W, 13–0 |
| 2017 | First Round | Minnesota State | L, 13–16 OT |
| 2018 | First Round Second Round |
Colorado Mines Minnesota State |
W, 37–17 L, 10–24 |
| 2019 | First Round Second Round |
Augustana (SD) Minnesota State |
W, 17–0 L, 7–35 |
| 2022 | First Round | Colorado Mines | L, 24–45 |
| 2024 | Second Round | Minnesota State | L, 23–26 |
| 2025 | First Round | UT Permian Basin | L, 24–37 |
Head coaches
- Dale Rea (1938–1940)
- Jack Johnson (1941)
- Dan Lawrence (1942)
- No team (1943–1945, 1985–2007)
- Maurice Elder (1948–1951)
- Harry Simmons (1952–1955)
- Joe Prater (1956–1973)
- Mike Friedman (1974–1983)
- Gary Richardson (1984)
- John Wristen (2008–2022)
- Phil Vigil (2023– )
Notes
- ↑ CSU Pueblo did not sponsor football from 1985 through the 2007, it was reinstated in 2008.
References
- ↑ "CSU–Pueblo Web Style, Standards, and Best Practices". March 1, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ↑ "Colorado State University Pueblo - Official Athletics Website".
- ↑ "Oversight by CSU-Pueblo Athletics Administration leads to NCAA violation for Pack Football". Pueblo, Colorado: Colorado State University–Pueblo. October 31, 2016. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.