Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
2-2
Alabama
3-0
Rams fall to No. 1 Alabama 41-23
9/16/2017 10:08:00 PM | Football
Freshman WR Jackson hauls in pair of TDs
POSTGAMEÂ QUOTES
PHOTO GALLERY
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.--The Colorado State Rams fell to 2-2 on the season with a 41-23 loss to the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Rams put up 391 yards of total offense, and their 23 points were the most scored by a non-Power Five conference team against Alabama since 2007.
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Senior quarterback Nick Stevens threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-38 passing, with two interceptions. Dalyn Dawkins totaled 100 yards from scrimmage, including a team-high 59 rushing yards, while Izzy Matthews gained 47 on a team-high 16 carries. Michael Gallup pulled in four catches for 70 yards and true freshman Warren Jackson scored two touchdowns on two receptions.
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Junior linebackers Tre Thomas and Josh Watson each recorded seven tackles, and sophomore Max McDonald tallied the Rams' only tackle for loss. It was the first game this season in which the Rams did not force a turnover.
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Colorado State got off to a slow start, putting up just 11 yards of offense in the first quarter and quickly falling behind 14-0. The offense answered with two scoring drives--the latter of which was capped off by Jackson's first-career touchdown--to bring the Rams within one score. A quick Alabama touchdown before the half sent the Rams to the locker room with a 24-10 deficit.
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CSU moved the ball into Alabama territory on the opening drive of the second half, but turned the ball over on an interception. Alabama capitalized on that miscue, as well as a second interception on the next possession, with two touchdowns to stretch its lead to 38-10. The Rams continued to battle, and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but ultimately couldn't overcome their slow starts to both halves.
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The Rams have a bye next week before opening Mountain West play on the road at Hawai'i on Sept. 30. Continue to check CSURams.com and follow @CSUFootball on Twitter for exclusive content from the Rams' 2017 season.
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STAT OF THE GAME:
The Rams' 23 points are the most points scored by a non-Power-Five conference team against Alabama since 2007. It is also more than No. 3 Florida State and Fresno State combined to score against Alabama in the first two weeks of the season.
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Team Stats
CSU 0, UA 7
UA - Jalen Hurts 27 yd run (A. Pappanastos kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:17
CSU 0, UA 14
UA - Calvin Ridley 78 yd pass from Jalen Hurts (A. Pappanastos kick) 4 plays, 95 yards, TOP 1:28
CSU 0, UA 17
UA - A. Pappanastos 46 yd field goal 7 plays, 33 yards, TOP 2:38
CSU 3, UA 17
CSU - BRYAN, W. 27 yd field goal 12 plays, 55 yards, TOP 4:38
CSU 10, UA 17
CSU - JACKSON, W. 4 yd pass from STEVENS, N. (BRYAN, W. kick) 11 plays, 85 yards, TOP 6:17
CSU 10, UA 24
UA - Robert Foster 52 yd pass from Jalen Hurts (A. Pappanastos kick) 5 plays, 76 yards, TOP 1:18
CSU 10, UA 31
UA - Bo Scarbrough 9 yd run (A. Pappanastos kick), 14 plays, 88 yards, TOP 5:44
CSU 10, UA 38
UA - Damien Harris 5 yd run (A. Pappanastos kick), 2 plays, 11 yards, TOP 0:30
CSU 10, UA 41
UA - A. Pappanastos 43 yd field goal 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:39
CSU 17, UA 41
CSU - STEVENS, N. 5 yd run (BRYAN, W. kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:58
CSU 23, UA 41
CSU - JACKSON, W. 3 yd pass from STEVENS, N. (STEVENS, N. passfailed) 15 plays, 82 yards, TOP 6:26
