ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Grizzlies Football team returns home this weekend as they get set to take on their NCAA Top-25 opponent this season. The Grizzlies will look to defend home turf as they are 3-0 at home this season.

OPPONENT: No. 13 Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves (6-1, 5-1 RMAC)

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 - 1 p.m.

WHERE: Alamosa, Colo. - Rex Stadium

KICKOFF
Entering week eight, the Adams State University Football team will look back to its winning ways as the Grizzlies are set to host the No. 13 Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves. The Grizzlies are coming off a tough road loss, 56-42, this past Saturday to South Dakota School of Mines. With the loss, the Grizzlies record stands at 4-3 overall with the same mark in RMAC play.

The Grizzlies will look to push their win streak to five. They will have a tough matchup as CSU-Pueblo is 6-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play. Adams State has matched its win total from the 2017 season and is looking to reach five wins for the first time since the 2013 season when the Grizzlies finished 7-4. First year Head Coach Josh Blankenship has led the Grizzlies to wins in the Colorado Classic and Musket Game. It is the second straight year Adams State has won both games.

SERIES HISTORY
The Thunderwolves lead the all-time series against the Grizzlies with a 22-10-2 record and have won the last nine matchups. In Alamosa, The Grizzlies are 4-11-1 against CSU-Pueblo. Adams State last win against the Thunderwolves came in the 2008 season with the final score being 16-8. Last season, the Grizzlies surrendered 63 points as they fell to the Thunderwolves 63-17 on the road. In each of their last nine losses to CSU-Pueblo the Grizzlies have averaged only 7.8 points per game. 

HIGH SCORING ATTACK
Despite the loss, the Grizzlies still managed to keep their offensive rhythm in a game that featured heavy snowfall and harsh winds. Entering this weekend, Adams State is ranked in the top-10 nationally in a number of offense categories. The Grizzlies fifth in Division II in passing offense (324.7 YPG), tied for sixth in total first downs (179), fourth in red zone offense (.941 PCT), and ninth in total offense (497.4 YPG). They are just outside the top-10 in scoring offense at 11th (42.6 PPG),

In their last five games, the Grizzlies have scored 40-plus points. Quarterback Nick Rooney has thrown at least four touchdown in each of the last five games and amassed at least 250 passing yards in each of those contests. Rooney currently leads the RMAC in passing touchdowns (27), yards (2,215), average/game (316.4), total offense (2,134 yards), total offense (2,447 yards) and total offense/game (349.6 yards). In Division II, his 27 touchdowns are the most, while 2,215 passing yards are third most. His 349.6 total yards per game is second most and his 316.4 passing yards per game is fourth.

Wide receivers Chad Hovasse, Marquese Surrell, and Miles Fishback all continue to play a major role in the success of Rooney and the offense. Hovasse is second in the RMAC in receiving touchdowns with 15, which is second in Division II. His 882 receiving yards are second in the RMAC and fifth in Division II. He is third in the league in receiving yards a game (126.0), while ranking sixth in Division II. He leads all of Division II in receptions per game at 9.7 per game. 

Surrell has been a two-way threat on offense and on special teams. After missing last weekend's game, he is now tied for fifth in the RMAC in touchdowns (5), fifth in average/game (83.1 yards), and in receptions/game (6.1). On special teams, Surrell is third in the league with 18 returns, while his average of 24.9 yards/return is fifth. In all-purpose yards, he is fourth with 1,030 total yards and fifth in average per game (147.1). His all-purpose average is 17th in all of Division II. His 6.1 receptions per game is tied for 25th in Division II. 

Fishback is tied for on the team and tied for fifth in the RMAC with five touchdowns including the gamewinner in the 48-42 overtime win over Fort Lewis College. He's pulled in 12 catches this season for 216 yards. Another go to weapon for the Grizzlies is running back Tyree Harris. 

He is the team's top rusher averaging 114.4 yards per game. He's racked up 810 yards on the ground and has 10 touchdowns on the year. Harris has also pulled down 22 receptions for 287 yards. His total rush yards are third in the RMAC, while his average is fourth. He is tied for second in touchdowns. In all-purpose yards, Harris is third in the RMAC in average with 155.4 yards per game. Harris' all-purpose average is 12th in Division II. His 10 rushing touchdowns is tied for 10th in Division II, while his 801 rush yards are 11th alone. His 114.4 rush average is 14th in Division II.

DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKERS
Through seven weeks of play, defensive back Garrett Jackson continues to lead the way for the Grizzlies defense. Right behind him is fellow defensive back Sipa Leafa who has provided a spark in his freshman campaign. Jackson currently leads Adams State with 73 tackles, with 42 of them being on a solo effort. He leads the RMAC in total tackles and solo tackles. He is tied for second on the team in interceptions with one.

Leafa is second behind Jackson, totaling 62 tackles, with 40 being solo. His total tackles are sixth in the conference and his 40 solo tackles are second. He leads the team in interceptions with two, which is tied for sixth-most in the RMAC. His 76 combined yards on interception returns is fourth-highest in the conference.

Isaia Rosten (54), Adam Lucero (24), Braeden Meyer (23), Deon Mayers (23), Donovan Robinson (23), Bryce Barnes (22), Garrett Pemelton (22), and Leon Te'o (21) all have 20 or more tackles. Nick Bundy (18), Sergio Mendoza (16), Vaega Lolohea (16), Thomas Reed III (15), Elijah Tuli (10), Zach Lewallen (10), and Leonard Sagapolute (10) all have at least 10 tackles. Jackson, Meyer, Rosten, Reed III, Barnes and Erick Ruiz all have a forced fumble on the year. Rosten leads the way with two. Robinson, Mayers, and Barnes also have an interception on the year as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK
Special teams wise, the Grizzlies have just one touchdown return this year thanks in part to Keyon Thomas. He had an 82 yard kickoff return to the house against the Cowboys in week three. A key weapon is Surrell. He is third in the league with 18 returns, while his average of 24.9 yards/return is fifth. In all-purpose yards, he is fourth with 1,030 total yards and fifth in average per game (147.1). His all-purpose average is 17th in all of Division II.

Ruiz has been a key factor in kickoff and has been a workhorse for the Grizzlies on special teams. He is tied fifth in the RMAC in made field goals with five. He is 5-for-5 in field goals which leads the RMAC in percentage (100.0). His 48 points are third among kickers in the RMAC. He is just one of four kickers in Division II that has yet to miss a field goal this season.

UP NEXT
The Grizzlies will hit the road for their next two games. The first will be their only non-conference game of the year against Angelo State on Saturday, Oct. 27. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. MT/4 p.m. CT against the Rams in San Angelo, Texas.