October 30th, 2025 2:00pm
By Chuck Bitner, D2Football.com
A Top 10 showdown highlights the Division II football calendar this weekend, and it’s likely to be the most significant regular-season game in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) this year. Undefeated No. 5 Western Colorado (8-0), will host No. 8 CSU Pueblo. The ThunderWolves enter the matchup with a 7-1 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play. The winner will not only retain a Top 10 national ranking but also take sole possession of first place in the RMAC standings and be well-positioned in the upcoming release of the regional rankings, which ultimately determine the playoff field.
Before reading on, be sure to check out D2Football.com’s RMAC Weekly with Antonio Clark and Tanner Draper. They preview the matchup at the 32 minute mark.
Statistically, there is little to differentiate the two foes. Both are among the top offensive and defensive teams in the country. They hold down first and second place in the RMAC stats in scoring offense and scoring defense. The Thunderwolves have a negligible advantage in scoring offense, averaging 42.6 points per game, compared to the Mountaineers’ 42.1. Both averages are in top 10 nationally. Western Colorado has a tiny edge in scoring defense, allowing 13.4 points per game, good for seventh nationally. CSUP is right behind, giving up just 16.4 and placing 15th in the country.
Some of the top individual talent in Division II will be on display in this matchup as well. Here are some of the names to keep an eye one…
Western Colorado
DL Ricky Freymond is the reigning D2football.com defensive player of the year and one of the most physically dominant defenders in Division II. Fellow DL Drew Johnson is having a standout year ranking second in the RMAC in tackles for loss.
Linebackers Ian Loomis and Cameron Cooper are also among the TFL leaders in the conference. Loomis is the team’s leading tackler and has five sacks. Cooper has 10.5 TFL and 3 sacks. They are the backbone of a defense that leads the RMAC in rushing yards allowed (83.8 yards per game.)
Offensively, everything starts with Drew Nash at quarterback. He averages 258 passing yards per game and has tossed 22 touchdowns and has been intercepted only twice. His 169.96 efficiency rating places him 11th in the country. He is also the Mountaineers leading rusher, posting 51 yards per game with eight rushing TD. Nash’s top target is Caden Measner who has hauled in 42 grabs with eight touchdowns. The offensive line is anchored by preseason All-RMAC selection Zach Brumfield.
CSU Pueblo
The Thunderwolves are led by senior quarterback Roman Fuller. He is in his second full season in Pueblo after beginning his collegiate career at the University of Tulsa. He took over the starting role at CSUP midway through the 2024 season and has had firm command of the offense since. He is a 63% passer in 2025, posting 274 yards per game. He has tossed 22 touchdowns and has been picked off just three times. His 22 passing touchdowns is tied for third nationally (along with Drew Nash).
Fuller’s favorite target is Reggie Retzlaff, the senior from California who was a Harlon Hill Award finalist last year. To date he’s hauled in 43 catches for 585 yards, with 10 touchdowns. He is complimented by Derek Taylor-Adkins and Zack Rakowsky. Both players have 27 catches and average more than 14 yards per touch. Russell Patton is the leader of a backfield that features four players with more than 200 rushing yards to their credit. Preseason All-RMAC selections Tyler Ethridge and Domingo Prince II anchor the offensive line.
Defensively, Bryson Torrie is a name to watch for. He leads the defense in solo tackles and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Up front, Kaleb Manning is a force in the interior line. He is responsible for 6 TFL and 4.5 sacks. Three year starter Gary Seiderberger is the team’s leading tackler and a preseason Elite 100 watch list player.
How to watch
The Top 10 showdown in Gunnison will be available to stream on the RMAC Digital Network. The RMAC Network is subscription based. If you are not a subscriber, you can purchase a single-game pass for $10.
Additional coverage