Storming the field at Ray Dennison Memorial Field was unheard of until Saturday.
Dwain Crawford was hired as a new FLC assistant coach over the summer, and head coach John L. Smith hoped the Texas native could help improve the team’s defensive backs while also helping FLC recruit the Dallas area. Crawford and the Skyhawks had plenty to celebrate, as the defensive backs held No. 2 CSU-Pueblo to just 152 passing yards and zero touchdowns through the air in the 23-22 win.
Fort Lewis College stunned the entire country by beating second-ranked CSU-Pueblo 23-22 on Saturday afternoon. It was local hero and FLC wide receiver Jordan Gillen, a former Durango High School quarterback, who finished the game off with a game-winning touchdown pass after he caught a touchdown pass earlier in the game.
“A lot of games that I saw (as a kid) didn’t end like that one, that’s for sure. In Fort Lewis history, there were a few good years in there, but this (win) is up there,” said Gillen, son of DeRon and Jill Gillen. “I feel like it’s one of the top wins for Fort Lewis football.”
When the game clock finally showed 0:00, fans rushed the field to celebrate with the underdogs who slayed a Division II football giant.
“This was probably one of the biggest wins in the school’s history. To knock off a nationally ranked team after such a dismal start to the season, it’s huge,” said Glen Suta, father of FLC offensive lineman Taylor Suta.
Fans sat through a two-hour severe weather delay during the halftime break. There was no leaving the game for the Ross family, who drove from Colorado Springs to cheer on Ryan Ross, a star defensive lineman for FLC.
“We didn’t care; we were just so pumped to be here,” said Yvonne Ross, Ryan’s mother.
Ryan Ross’ sister Krystina Ross is an alumna of CSU-Pueblo. Even though her alma mater suffered its first regular season loss in 43 games, she was more than willing to storm the field alongside her brother Ricky Ross.
“I was definitely rooting for my brother’s team. I am a huge fan of (CSU-Pueblo) and am very proud of them, and they’ve done very well, but, when it comes down to it, I’m always going to root for my brother,” Krystina Ross said.
Ricky Ross and family led the cheering section at FLC, and Ricky was the first through the sideline gates to lead the charge of fans onto the field.
“I just knew about the winning streak (CSU-Pueblo) had, and we wanted to come here and have a spectacular day, and we did,” Ricky Ross said. “We ran on the field, and it was perfect.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com