CSU beats Hawai'i 51-21 in Mountain West opener

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POSTGAME NOTES
PHOTO GALLERY

by Grant Larson
Athletics Communications

HALAWA, Hawai'i--The Colorado State Rams improved to 3-2 (1-0 MW) on the season with a dominating 51-21 win over the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (2-3; 0-2 MW) on Saturday in Halawa, Hawai'i. The Rams put up 610 yards of offense, which is the highest total under Head Coach Mike Bobo and 10th-highest figure in program history.

Starring offensively was the senior duo of quarterback Nick Stevens and wide receiver Michael Gallup. Stevens completed 18-of-22 passes for 351 yards and four touchdowns, while Gallup racked up 212 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. The performance moved Stevens to sixth all-time on CSU's career passing list(3,334), and Gallup's 212 receiving yards was one yard off his career high and the seventh-highest single-game total ever by a Ram. Stevens passed Bradlee Van Pelt (6,271) for seventh and Anthoney Hill (6,309) for sixth place in career passing yards.

Gallup's 76-yard catch-and-run from Stevens to the 4 yard line was the longest play of the season for the Rams, and the longest play of both Stevens' & Gallup's careers. With his four touchdowns Stevens also moved into second all-time at CSU in passing touchdowns (53), passing Moses Moreno (51).

Running backs Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews had their best statistical games of the season, rushing for 130 and 95 yards, respectively. Both found the end zone, with Matthews' coming on the end of a career-high 66-yard rush after an earlier 4-yd scoring run. Senior wide receiver Detrich Clark caught two touchdowns, and senior tight end Dalton Fackrell recorded the first touchdown reception of his career.

The Rams' defense came out with a stifling attack, forcing three consecutive three-and-outs by the Rainbow Warriors to help build a 21-0 lead. Sophomores Jamal Hicks and Anthony Hawkins led the Rams defensively, each recording six tackles. Junior linebacker Josh Watson had three solo tackles and a career-high three pass breakups, and sophomore Max McDonald forced a fumble. Senior linebacker Evan Colorito had the Rams' only sack. It was the first time the Rams' defense began a game with a trio of three-and-outs since Nov. 5, 2016 en route to a shutout of Fresno State.

Colorado State's offense put up 315 yards in the opening half and converted 6-of-7 third downs, while the defense held Hawai'i to just 1-of-7 on third down conversions. The Rams allowed just 15 yards in the first quarter. Tonight was the first time since 2013 that the Rams scored on every full possession of a first half, and Colorado State took a 31-7 lead into the halftime break.

Hawai'i moved the ball much more efficiently in the second half and finished the game with 512 yards of total offense, including 362 yards through the air.

Colorado State is back on the road next week when it travels to Logan, Utah, to take on Mountain Division-foe Utah State (3-2). Continue to check CSURams.com and follow @CSUFootball on Twitter for exclusive content from the Rams' 2017 season.

STAT OF THE GAME: The Rams, while putting up a season-high 610 yards of offense, averaged 10.3 yards per play and converted 8-of-11 third downs.

IN THEIR WORDS:
Head Coach Mike Bobo
"I was really proud of our whole team and the way we started the game. We wanted to start fast. We used the word 'dominate' all week. Not to dominate with our play, but to dominate with our focus, and I love how we started the game."

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