PUEBLO, Colo. – The No. 6-ranked Colorado State University Pueblo Thunderwolves scored 16 unanswered points to erase an early 7-0 deficit en route to a 44-25 victory over University of Central Missouri Mules Football in the 2026 season opener for both teams on Thursday evening, Aug. 27, at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl.
The Mules (0-1) will look to bounce back when they host the Missouri Western State University Griffons (0-1) for their 2026 home opener, and the annual UCM Get the Red Out Game on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg.
UCM gained an early 7-0 lead when running back
DJ Brown broke free for an 18-yard rushing touchdown less than three minutes into the game.
The Thunderwolves (1-0) answered in a big way, though, scoring two touchdowns and a safety to take a 16-7 advantage with 7:05 to go in the second quarter.
A 33-yard field goal from
Will Peacock with just over a minute on the clock trimmed the CSU Pueblo lead to 16-10 going into halftime.
That would be as close as the Mules would get to the Thunderwolves the remainder of the game, as CSU Pueblo outscored Central Missouri in the second half, 28-15, for the 44-25 victory.
Brown led UCM offensively in the contest, rushing for a game-high 163 yards on 18 attempts with two touchdowns, while quarterback
Jordan Pachot was 24-of-46 with one touchdown and 318 yards, but had two interceptions.
Marlon Lindsey, Jr. (113 yards, six catches, one touchdown), and
Trevor Garlington (111 yards, five catches) paced the Mules' wide receivers.
Steven Richardson (one interception) and
Jalen Thomas (seven tackles) lead UCM defensively.
For the game, the Mules out-gained the Thunderwolves, 485 yards to 445 yards, including a 167-124 advantage in rushing, but CSU Pueblo won the passing game, 321-318, and forced three Central Missouri turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble).
Nvai Bruzon was 18-of-29 with four passing touchdowns and 321 yards, while Dedrek Taylor-Akins had three receiving touchdowns on nine catches and 200 yards, pacing CSU Pueblo.
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