ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State University Football team battled for 60 minutes against one of the best teams in the RMAC and the country in the No. 13 Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves but came up just short of an upset bid Saturday afternoon at Rex Stadium. The Grizzlies dropped their second straight game as they fell 29-22.

Despite scoring only 22 points, Adams State (4-4, 4-4 RMAC) went toe-to-toe with CSU-Pueblo (7-1, 6-1 RMAC) and managed to keep one of the best offenses in the conference in check for much of the afternoon. Defensively, the Grizzlies 29 points allowed on Saturday is their lowest of the season as they forced two turnovers, but three turnover by the Adams State offense proved to be costly.

The opening frame was a relatively quiet one from a scoring standpoint. The first 15 minutes of play only showcased one touchdown inside Rex Stadium, which is uncommon for fans that have seen a Grizzlies offense score at least 40-plus points in their last five outings. The touchdown came with 3:54 to play when Miles Fishback hit a wide open Chad Hovasse for a 43 yard touchdown pass on the trick play. 

The Grizzlies and Thunderwolves both had opportunities to score in the first quarter but solid defensive play set the tone early for a fight that was going to come down to the wire. the Grizzlies opened the game with a trick play on kickoff as Erick Ruiz hit an onside kick that the Grizzlies recovered. Despite the early momentum, CSU-Pueblo was not phased and stood its ground. The Grizzlies still managed to take a 7-0 lead into the second quarter.

The second quarter proved to be the difference maker when the game's final whistle blew as the Thunderwolves scored 22 unanswered points and held Adams State to just eight. CSU-Pueblo grabbed it first lead of the day thanks in part to 20 yard run by Marcus Lindsay. A two-point conversion paid off for CSU-Pueblo on a rush by Preston Guerra to bring the score to 8-7.

After forcing the Grizzlies to punt on their next possession, the Thunderwolves extended their lead to 15-7. Quarterback Jace Christian found Kevin Ribarich on a 37 yard pass and CSU-Pueblo held a two possession lead with 8:32 to play in the first half. The Grizzlies only touchdown of the quarter came on their next possession that tied the game.

Nick Rooney capped off a nine play, 74 yard drive that ate up 3:22 off the clock with a one yard touchdown pass to Hovasse. The Grizzlies elected to go for two and Rooney made it count with a keeper of his own. The game was tied 15-all but the Thunderwolves added one more touchdown before the half to lead 22-15 going into the break.Christian found Nick Williams for a 19 yard score to give the lead back to CSU-Pueblo.

The start of the third quarter was a wild one. After forcing the Grizzlies to punt on their first possession, four fumbles and an interception occurred over the next four possessions in a span of just over four minutes. It started on at the 11:00 mark on the clock when the Thunderwolves botched a snap but were able to recover it. Immediately following the fumble Christian threw an interception that Isaia Rosten pulled in. 

The Grizzlies tried to capitalize on the play but back-to-back sacks on Rooney killed any momentum. The second sack by CSU-Pueblo forced a fumble that the Thunderwolves recovered. The Thunderwolves looked to seize the momentum but Elijah Tuli forced a fumble and Rosten was there for the recovery.

It seemed Adams State was primed to tie the game with the ball at the CSU-Pueblo 41 and managed to get down to their 16 but another fumble ended the drive. Rooney found Sha'Corey Fister on a quick pass but the Thunderwolves got the hit right away which forced the ball loose and they recovered the ball. The Grizzlies defense proved resilient and forced a three-and-out to set up the offense for a game-tying drive.

Staring at their own 27, the Grizzlies marched down the field and Isaiah Brown closed out the drive with a one-yard run to tie the game at 22-22 going into the fourth quarter. The final frame only featured one touchdown, by CSU-Pueblo, as both defenses battled until the very end.

The first six drives of the fourth quarter resulted in five punts and one turnover on downs. The Thunderwolves added the game's final touchdown with 4:01 on the clock. Austin Micci rushed for a 26 yard score that ultimately gave CSU-Pueblo its final lead, 29-22. The Grizzlies tried to put together one final drive and potentially tie the game but the drive ultimately ended at midfield with a turnover on downs.

Offensively, Rooney finished 24-of-41 passing for 185 yards and one touchdown but was sacked eight times in the backfield. He also had 45 rushing yards on 18 keepers. Hovasse pulled in 11 receptions to go along with a pair of scores and 158 receiving yards. Marquese Surrell added six catches for 62 yards. On the ground,Tyree Harris picked up 86 rushing yards on 22 touches. 

Defensively, Garrett Jackson racked up 13 total tackles with six being on his own. He also added two tackles for loss and had one pass breakup. Adam Lucero added eight total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Rosten totaled seven tackles to go along with two takeaways in an interception and a fumble recovery. He also added a sack on the day.

The Grizzlies will hit the road for their next two games starting a with trip down to the Lone Star state. The Grizzlies will be in San Angelo, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 27 for a matchup with Angelo State. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. MT/4 p.m. CT against the Rams.