ODESSA, Texas (November 23, 2025) – The No. 10 nationally-ranked UT Permian Basin football team is headed back to Colorado for the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Falcons will face off against No. 15-ranked Western Colorado University in their second-round game at 1 p.m. Mountain Time / 2 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, November 29, inside the Mountaineer Bowl in Gunnison, Colorado.

UTPB earned its first playoff win in program history with a 37-24 victory at No. 4-ranked and No. 3-seeded Colorado State University Pueblo last Saturday afternoon at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl in Pueblo, Colorado. Junior quarterback Kanon Gibson and junior wide receiver Traylen Suel connected for two receiving touchdowns in the first quarter to highlight a dominant first half, and Gibson totaled five touchdowns with three through the air and two on the ground. In the end, UTPB led 467-330 in total yardage, held the ball for 36-and-a-half minutes, held CSUP to 5-for-16 on third down, and totaled six tackles for loss and 15 pass breakups.

UTPB (10-2 overall) is now 3-1 this season against top-15 opponents, including three wins over teams ranked in the top-five in the country at the time. The Falcons will aim for their fourth win this season against a nationally-ranked opponent in the second round of the playoffs next weekend to keep their season going.

Last weekend's game allowed the Falcons to exercise their demons from a loss at CSU Pueblo (40-23) during their second game of the season last year. This weekend, UTPB will look to do the same, taking on a Western Colorado squad that defeated the Falcons 35-27 in Colorado during the second game of the 2023 season.

About Western Colorado
Western Colorado, like UTPB, is 10-2 overall. Both losses have come on final play field goals, and both against teams from the region that are also made the playoffs. WCU leans heavy on defense – limiting opposing rushing attacks to under 100 yards per game and holding opponents to over 100 fewer yards in total offense than what their own team generates. For the first time, the Mountaineers had to play on the road for a first-round playoff game, traveling to Ellensburg, Washington, to square off with host Central Washington University. It was the third year in a row the two teams matched up against each other in the first round. In the end, WCU defeated No. 5-ranked and No. 2-seeded CWU 27-20 in their first-round game. Overall, WCU is making its third straight appearance – and fourth in five seasons – in the playoffs.

Western Colorado's quarterback, Drew Nash, was honored as the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year. Nash – whose 76 career touchdown passes took over the top spot in that category within the program's record book – has thrown for 2,883 yards and 32 touchdowns through the air, while adding 11 touchdowns with his legs. His 32 touchdown passes are tied for the fourth most in NCAA Division II. Nash is tied for third nationally in total points responsible for (258) and is second in DII in points responsible for per game (23.5).

Inside the Matchup
The bottom half of the Super Region Four bracket pits two upset kings against each other. UT Permian Basin came out and manhandled CSU Pueblo, 37-24. The score was not as close as it seems, as this game was 30-3 late in the third quarter until the ThunderWolves strung together some scores. It was the Falcons first-ever playoff win and if Kanon Gibson plays next week like he did this week (343 yards passing, 51 yards rushing, five total touchdowns and no turnovers), the Falcons can keep rolling.

They'll face Western Colorado, who slowed down the Central Washington offense and held them in check all game. A late pick-six by Central Washington in the first half made it a ball game, but Western Colorado was really in control the whole game. The Wildcats could hardly get their offense going and settled for field goals more often than preferred, a certain recipe for losing in the postseason. Mountaineers quarterback Drew Nash did what he had to do to win, throwing for 192 yards and two scores, while picking up 47 important yards on the ground, including another touchdown. Western Colorado now faces UTPB, a team it has only faced twice in its history. The two have split the series, and both games have been separated by one score. Expect a good one Saturday.