Hounds drop opener at CSU-Pubelo

Freedom New Mexico

PUEBLO, Colo. — Colorado State-Pueblo took advantage of four interceptions — including one by free safety Sutton Richmond in the final moments — and the Thunderwolves held on for a season-opening 28-23 victory over Eastern New Mexico University on Saturday night.

The start of the game was delayed about an hour by stormy weather, and the teams went through another delay with about five minutes left in the third quarter. The game didn’t end until around 11:30 p.m.

Sopho-more quarterback J.J. Harp set ENMU single-game records with 45 completions in 78 attempts for 513 yards, but the interceptions proved costly.

Harp’s 78 passes was also an NCAA Division II single-game mark.

The Greyhounds outgained Pueblo 515-402 — although they managed only two net yards on the ground. The Thunderwolves led 28-16 at halftime, but ENMU pulled to within five points with 8:59 left on a 52-yard TD pass from Harp to junior Jesse Poku.

Richmond’s interception came on a third-and-12 play from the Pueblo 22 with 2:51 left.

The Hounds forced a punt that Poku returned 17 yards to the Pueblo 43 with one minute left. ENMU garnered one first downto the Thunderwolves’ 25, but two plays later Harp was sacked for a 16-yard loss as time ran out.

Darian Dale caught 10 passes for 106 yards, Poku grabbed eight for 152 and Chase Kyser caught eight for 61 for ENMU. Sophomore tailback Jamaal Johnson ran for 145 yards on 18 carries for Pueblo, including a 59-yard TD run early in the second quarter.