ALAMOSA, Colo. (September 29, 2015) – After posting the largest comeback performance in NCAA Division II history, Adams State University now turns to a homecoming battled with No. 10 Colorado State University-Pueblo. The conference showdown will conclude the University's weeklong homecoming festivities. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. from Rex Stadium. Live coverage and ticket information listed above.
Last Time Out For ASUThe Grizzlies registered the largest-ever NCAA Division II comeback at home against rival Western State Colorado University during the annual Colorado Classic. In the 52-51 double overtime thriller, ASU overcame a 36 point deficit. Quarterback
Auston Hillman engineered the improbable comeback after entering the game in a reserve role during the second quarter. Hillman found
Chad Hovasse for a 37-yard touchdown on the final play of the opening stanza. That momentum carried past halftime as ASU outscored Western State 29-0 in the second half. Entering the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies still trailed by 14 points (42-28) but that quickly changed as Hillman found
Addie Brown for an 8-yard touchdown pass with 5:07 remaining. With 30 seconds remaining Hillman connected with
James Holtrop for a 5-yard score to tie the game at 42-42.
The two rivals traded field goals on their opening overtime possession. On ASU's second offensive possession, Hillman found
James Holtrop for a 24-yard touchdown pass. Western State also reached paydirt on their second possession but the Grizzly defense stopped the two-point conversion to end the game.
About the ThunderWolvesThe defending NCAA DII champions are coming off a 42-27 victory against Western New Mexico University. The ThunderWolves (3-1, 2-0 RMAC) turn to running back Cameron McDondle on offense. The senior leads the conference with 724 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns. He also leads the conference with 12.0 points per game. His 205.2 all-purpose yards per game average ranks second in the RMAC. On defense, the program is anchored by lineman Morgan Fox. The senior ranks first in the RMAC in sacks (11) and tackles for loss (13). Against WNMU, Fox recorded three solo sacks.
Amongst RMAC teams, CSU-Pueblo ranks fifth in scoring offense (33.2 ppg.) and fourth in scoring defense (20.5 ppg. allowed).
The program is under the leadership of head coach John Wristen. Through seven complete seasons at the helm, Wristen has been named:
Last We MetThe Grizzlies fell 17-7 to CSU-Pueblo during their 2014 meeting from the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl. With both teams scoreless at the half, each program notched a touchdown in the third. The 7-7 tie ended in the fourth as the ThunderWolves accounted for 10 unanswered points.
For the game,
Addie Brown finished with 12 carries for 78 yards and one touchdown. Brown also had one reception for 26 yards. Hillman went 8-for-21 for 118 yards passing with three interceptions while
Phil Romero led the team with 58 yards receiving on two catches. Linebacker
Wesley Brandon led all players with 12 tackles and a quarterback hit. Cameron McDondle led the ThunderWolves with 190 yards on the ground off 32 carries.
All-Time Series Vs. CSU-PuebloThe ThunderWolves hold a 19-10-2 record over ASU. The first meeting between the two foes occurred in 1938 with the game resulting in a 7-7 tie. The longest winning streak for ASU in the series is four games (1965-68). Since CSU-Pueblo reinstated football in 2008, the Grizzlies have gone 1-6 against the ThunderWolves. The last ASU win came in 2008 (W, 16-8).
Making HistoryWith their 52-51 double overtime win, the ASU program now holds the biggest comeback (36 points) in NCAA Division II history. They bested Bloomsburg University's (Pa.) mark of overcoming a 35 point deficit during a game against West Chester in 2011.
RMAC Rankings for ASUScoring Offense: 6
th (of 10)…………….28.8 ppg.
Scoring Defense: 10
th (of 10)…………..49.5 ppg. allowed
Total Offense (yards): 4
th (of 10)………426.2 average/game
Total Defense (yards): 8
th (of 10)……..532.8 average/game
Hillman Tabbed NFFCC Player of the WeekJunior quarterback
Auston Hillman has been selected as the National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter (NFFCC) Player of the Week.
Hillman engineered the largest comeback in NCAA Division II history (36 points) as Adams State University collected a 52-51 double overtime victory against rival Western State Colorado University. After coming off the bench in the second quarter, Hillman accounted for 371 yards of total offense and six touchdowns. He completed 21-of-35 pass attempts for 284 yards and five touchdowns while running the ball 15 times for 87 net yards and a touchdown.
Trailing 42-6, Hillman found receiver
Chad Hovasse for a 37-yard touchdown on the final play of the first half. The big play shifted the momentum as Hillman added a passing and rushing touchdown in the third quarter. He followed with two more touchdown passes in the fourth and another during overtime. With six total touchdowns he ties Bobby Saiz (1989) and Trevor Eggleston (2009) for the best single game performance by a quarterback in program history.
Primetime PerformersPlaying a vital role in the comeback win over Western State was the trio of
Rashad Hall,
James Holtrop, and
John Reed. Hall had a team-best 139 yards rushing on 18 attempts and a touchdown in just his fourth game with the program. Holtrop accounted for 121 yards receiving on 11 receptions with three touchdowns. Holtrop grabbed the game-tying touchdown with 30 seconds remaining in regulation and later caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Reed led the defense to the tune of 12 total tackles (10 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. With Reed leading the way, the ASU defense did not give up a point during the second half of play.
Homecoming WeekOver the last 10 seasons, the ASU program has played six different opponents during homecoming week. Opponents include: New Mexico Highlands (2005,'10,'12), Fort Lewis (2006,'08), Western New Mexico (2007,'09), Nebraska-Kearney (2011), Black Hills State University (2013), and Chadron State (2014). The Grizzlies have compiled a 5-5 record during that span for homecoming.
The ASU Tailgating Experience (Order Form)Introduced for 2015 home games is a tailgating area located between the Student Union Building and the Administration Housing office. Tailgating will be made available three hours prior to game time and close 30 minutes before kickoff. Food and alcoholic beverages may be brought into the sectioned tailgate area but are prohibited from exiting the designated area. Only gas grills are allowed and must be accompanied with a mat underneath to catch grease. No open fires or charcoal grills are allowed.
Reserve a tailgating spot today for only $10 and send completed order forms to
diannelee@adams.edu or fax to 719-587-7276.
As in years past, fans can also reserve the Party on the Patio and the Grizzly Club Box for homes games. Fans are encouraged to order today as select games have already been reserved. For more information, pricing, and to reserve a game
click here. Please send completed orders to
diannelee@adams.edu or fax to 719-587-7276.
The 5th QuarterFollowing home games fans can partake in The 5
th Quarter! This postgame radio show--brought to you by KSPK--will take place in Vistas Restaurant immediately following the conclusion of every home game. Fans can take in food and beverage while KSPK's Andrew Stossmeister and Justin Taylor recap the game and talk with head coach
Timm Rosenbach.
New Year, New GearUnveiled for 2015 is a white matte finish helmet as well as a traditional green helmet that has been used in recent seasons. The biggest change comes in the form of the official Adams State U-Paw decal that is prominently displayed on both. Under the Schutt brand, both styles incorporate a green facemask with "Grizz" written on the nose bumper. Adams State last wore white helmets during the 1970's before switching to green.
Both helmets not only incorporate a new style but an upgrade in student-athlete safety by switching to the Schutt Vengeance VTD II and Schutt AiR XP Pro VTD helmet models. Both models have been evaluated and given the highest rating possible (5-Stars) according to
Virginia Tech helmet ratings.
Introducing Your Team CaptainsAdams State University head coach
Timm Rosenbach has announced captains for the 2015 season. Senior lineman
Austin Andrade was named captain of the offensive unit as senior defensive back
Ryan Holland received the defensive nod. Meanwhile junior defensive back
John Flowers was tabbed as the special teams captain.
About ASU FootballSince beginning play in 1930, Adams State has captured 10 conference titles with five seasons of postseason play. The program holds a 6-3 postseason record and served as the NAIA National Runner-up in 1988. The program has produced 32 All-Americans and one National Coach of the Year recipient (Jeff Geiser, 1989-NAIA).
Team PostersStop by the athletic department offices in Plachy Hall to pick up your 2015 ASU schedule posters! Fans can also view posters at
www.asugrizzlies.com by navigating to the "Fan Zone" tab.
Stay ConnectedFor any updates regarding Adams State athletics stay connected with
www.asugrizzlies.com! Updates are also available through the Grizzlies official Twitter (@ASUGrizzlies) and Facebook (/TheAsuGrizzlies) accounts.
