Venue & Game Info
Date & Time: Thursday, September 4, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. MDT / 7:00 p.m. CDT
Venue: Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl, 2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, CO 81001
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: ~6,500
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Local Radio
Weather Forecast (Pueblo, CO – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy
Temperature: ~69°F (21°C) at kickoff, cooling to ~63°F by the 4th quarter
Wind: W at 5–10 mph
Humidity: ~40%
Impact: Ideal football weather — no significant effect on passing or kicking.
Injury Report
Fort Hays State: No major injuries reported; QB Jack Dawson and RB Tye Edwards both available.
CSU–Pueblo: No significant absences; WR Andrew Cook and QB Hunter Raquet both healthy after strong 2024 campaigns.
Both teams enter Week 1 at full strength — expect full playbooks and first‑choice lineups.
Recent Team Form
Team
Fort Hays State
Last 5 Games: W 27–20 @ Nebraska–Kearney, W 36–7 @ Emporia St., W 53–9 vs Missouri Southern, L 17–18 @ Pittsburg St., W 38–7 vs Washburn
Notable Trends: Finished 9–3; defense allowed just 12.2 ppg in wins; balanced offense with 200+ pass & rush yds in 4 of last 5.
Team
CSU-Pueblo
Last 5 Games: L 23–26 vs Minnesota St. (NCAA Playoffs), W 38–21 @ Chadron St., W 28–13 vs Colorado Mines, W 44–34 @ Western Colorado, W 24–21 vs Black Hills St.
Notable Trends: Finished 10–2; top‑3 in RMAC scoring offense (37.1 ppg); 7–0 at home in 2024.
Series History
All-Time: First meeting since the programs’ modern eras; no recent head‑to‑head results in the 21st century.
Notable: Both teams are perennial playoff contenders in their respective conferences — this is a rare non‑conference clash with postseason implications.
Betting Trends
CSU–Pueblo: 7‑0 SU at home in 2024; 5‑2 ATS in those games.
Fort Hays State: 4‑1 ATS in last 5 road games.
Under has hit in 3 of FHSU’s last 4 games vs non‑conference opponents.
CSU–Pueblo has scored 28+ points in 9 of last 10 games.
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
CSU–Pueblo’s home dominance and offensive balance.
Fort Hays State’s defensive efficiency and ability to travel well.
Early‑season non‑conference games tend to start slower offensively.
Edges:
Lean: Fort Hays State +6.5 (value on underdog keeping it close)
Total: Lean Under 49.5 — both defenses capable of limiting explosive plays.
Game Odds
Fort Hays State Tigers 49.5
CSU–Pueblo ThunderWolves – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025
