Cowboys In Colorado On Saturday

Las Vegas, New Mexico - The Cowboys are on the road to play at nationally ranked CSU-Pueblo on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is set for 2:00 pm. The Cowboys enter play at 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the RMAC. Western Colorado is 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

COACH TAUFA'ASAU: Taufa'asau was named the head football coach at New Mexico Highlands on May 29th. He comes to Las Vegas after a very successful tenure at New Mexico Military Institute where he compiled a 27-10 record and led the Broncos to the 2021 NJCAA Division National Championship. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Taufa'asau played for the Cowboys in 2011 and 2012. After his career in Laramie, he spent time with the Raiders, Titans and Colts.

COWBOYS AT A GLANCE: NMHU dropped a 53-12 decision to nationally ranked Western Colorado last Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas. Freshmen Waika Crawford and Tevita Valeti scored the Cowboy touchdowns.

Fabiano Valdez led the Cowboys in tackles with seven while Jagger Mosqueda added six tackles. Mason McChriston picked off a Mountaineers pass in the end zone for the Cowboys first interception of the season.

"Western Colorado won the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage last week," said Head Coach Kurt Taufa'asau. "We are still working to get everyone on the same page as a team."

And on the play of freshman Tevita Valeti, Taufa'asau said, "He is a quiet player who lets his playing do the talking. He does everything we ask of him, he's out there on special teams making tackles. He's got a bright future."

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: The Cowboys currently rank fifth in the RMAC scoring at 25.3 points per game. On the defensive side, they are allowing 48.0 per outing.

Tevita Valeti is fifth in the RMAC in rushing at 68.8 yards per game.

Mason Peterson is sixth in the conference in rushing at 65.0 yards per game.

Mike Jones is third in the RMAC in kick off returns averaging 24.9 yards per game and is seventh in receiving yards at 52.0 per game.

Teneil Nichols is fourth in the RMAC with 68.5 receiving yards per game.

Jones (112.3) and Peterson (95.0) are fourth and seventh respectively in all-purpose yards.

Fabiano Valdez is ninth in the RMAC with 7.5 tackles per game.

SCOUTING THE THUNDERWOLVES: CSU-Pueblo enters action on Saturday at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the RMAC. They defeated Adams State 66-10 last Saturday afternoon in Alamosa. The ThunderWolves are ranked 18th in this week's American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division II Poll.

Philip Vigil is in his second season at the helm of the ThunderWolves. The 2008 graduate of Colorado Mesa has a record of 12-4 at CSU-Pueblo.

The ThunderWolves lead the RMAC in scoring at 40.0 points per outing. Defensively they are allowing 15.4.

Quarterback Devin Larsen averages 304 passing yards per game and has 15 touchdown passes this season. Howard Russell has 541 yards on 76 carries and six scores for CSU-Pueblo through five games.

"CSU-Pueblo is a very good football team, they've played an excellent schedule and they are very well coached," said Coach Taufa'asau. "We will need to bring our best game on Saturday."

FOLLOW THE COWBOYS: If you're not able to attend Saturday's game in Pueblo, links for the RMAC Network broadcast and LiveStats from Saturday's game from Pueblo can be found at NMHUAthletics.com.

RMAC NETWORK: Ten of the Cowboys' eleven games this season will be broadcast on the RMAC Network. New Mexico Broadcaster of the Year Scott Galetti returns as the Voice of the Cowboys this season.

NEW MEXICO REPRESENTED: This year's NMHU football roster features 44 players who hail from a New Mexico High School, including seven who are tabbed as starters on this week's Two-Deep Roster.

RMAC POLL: New Mexico Highlands University, 2-9 overall and 1-8 in the RMAC a year ago, was picked to finish ninth in the poll with 18 points in voting by the ten conference football coaches.

UP NEXT: The Cowboys return home next Saturday for a 12:00 pm Homecoming Game with Chadron State.

SINGLE GAME TICKETS: Single game tickets for NMHU Football and Volleyball are available for purchase at NMHUAthletics.com/tickets.