Colorado State University Athletics
Football Preview - at Colorado
8/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Date, Site, Time: Saturday, Sept. 4; Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo.; 6 p.m. MT
Radio Coverage: Colorado State Sports Network
T.V. Coverage: Fox Sports Network i ncluding Fox Sports Network Rocky Mountain
Telecast Crew: Joel Meyers (play-by-play), Dave Lapham (analyst), Jim Knox (sideline)
Local Coverage: KCOL-600 AM, Fort Collins; KNUS-710 AM, Denver
Broadcast Crew: Rich Bircumshaw (play-by-play); Erik Olson (analyst); Brian Roth (sideline)
Colorado State Coach Sonny Lubick (W. Montana ?60): 12th season, 91-44; 16th career, 112-63
Sonny Lubick Career vs. Colorado: Won 3, Lost 6
Colorado Coach Gary Barnett (Missouri ?69): 6th season, 34-28; 15th career; 77-84-2
Gary Barnett Career vs. Colorado State: Won 2, Lost 3
Overall Series: Colorado leads, 55-18-2; In Boulder, Colorado leads, 29-8-1
Last Meeting: 2003; Colorado 42, Colorado State 35 (INVESCO Field at Mile High-Denver) Series Streak Colorado, 1 in a row; last CSU win: 19-14, 2002
Series Streak in Boulder: Colorado,4 in a row; last CU win: 31-21, 1997
First Game In Series: Feb. 10, 1893; Colorado 70, Colorado State 6
Last Game In Boulder: Sept. 6, 1997; Colorado 31, Colorado State 21
Last Rams? Road Win in Series: Sept. 6, 1986; Colorado State 23, Colorado 7
Weekly Media Events
Injury Report
LB Landon Jones, hamstring.
Stadium Expansion
Expansion and renovation construction continues at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. By the first home game, more than 4,000 permanent seats will have been installed in the north end zone, along with two new scoreboards and a new video replay board. In the next year, the construction will be completed with the addition of 12 luxury suites, a renovated press box, and an expanded Rams Horn premium club seating area.
Never Twice
Colorado State has won or shared six conference titles during Sonny Lubick?s previous 11 seasons at the helm. The Rams finished third a year ago after winning the Mountain West Conference title in 2002. During Lubick?s tenure, Colorado State has never went back-to-back seasons without at least claiming a share of the league title.
Fox Sports To Air Preview Show
Fox Sports Network Rocky Mountain will air a half-hour football preseason special focused on Colorado State University Saturday, Aug. 28 at 9 p.m. Mountain Time. The show will be distributed nationally via satellite and regionally on cable. The CSU Football Preseason Special replays Friday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. MT. Colorado State and FSNRM announced a multi-year agreement earlier this summer to air football, basketball and other selected events. FSNRM will also air the Colorado State Insider with Sonny Lubick, a weekly half-hour program featuring the head coach of the Rams, as well as game highlights, opponent previews, and student-athlete features. The show will premier Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. with a new edition shown weekly throughout the season.
Rams Chasing 6th Bowl
Colorado State enters the 2004 season with a streak of having played in five consecutive bowl games intact. The Rams concluded the 2003 season by facing Boston College in the second annual Diamond Walnut San Francisco Bowl. Since Sonny Lubick?s arrival in 1993, Colorado State has won or shared six conference titles, among top figures in the nation.
Season Victories
Colorado State has had a school-record 10 consecutive winning seasons under Sonny Lubick?s direction. The list includes:
No. Years Coach
10 1994-2003 Sonny Lubick
8 1922-29 Harry Hughes
6 1947-52 Bob Davis
4 1931-34 Harry Hughes
3 1974-76 Sarkis Arslanian
Streaks Intact
Colorado State enters 2004 with a number of team streaks intact, including:
Six Home Games
For the second season in a row, Colorado State will play six home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. It is the ninth time since the facility opened in 1968 that Colorado State will play six home games, and the fourth time in coach Sonny Lubick?s 12 seasons at the helm. Colorado State, under Lubick, played six home games in 1994, ?96, and 2003.
Lubick Finalist
Rams? Coach Sonny Lubick was one of four finalists for the 2003 Eddie Robinson Coach of Distinction Award, named in honor of the former Grambling coach who won 408 games in 57 seasons. Criteria for the award includes a victorious coach who serves as a role model to his student-athletes and a community volunteer. Lubick has been active locally and nationally as a volunteer for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital, the United Way Fund, and Walk to D?Feet ALS. He has also headed the university?s annual Thanksgiving food drive, helped raise funds for the university library renovation, and is an annual participant in the department?s RamForce community service group which mentors local elementary and junior high school students.
Crowd Count
Colorado State finished 2003 by drawing 183,786 fans for six home dates, the second highest season figure in school history. The 30,631 per-game average is the third highest in school history. Colorado State also ranks 11th nationally in percent capacity, 102.1
Openers
Colorado State is 51-49-2 all-time in season opening games, 8-3 under Sonny Lubick. Colorado State lost its season opener a year ago against Colorado at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Colorado State has not ever lost back-to-back season openers under Lubick.
In Boulder
Colorado State opens the 2004 season against in-state rival Colorado in Boulder for the first time since the 1997. Colorado defeated the Rams, 31-21 in Boulder that season. Colorado State later finished 11-2, winning nine consecutive games to end the season, and won the conference title en route to a win over Missouri in the Holiday Bowl. Colorado State concluded the season ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press Poll, No. 15 by USA Today. The teams have played the past six seasons in Denver.
Series In Boulder
Colorado leads the series in Boulder, 29-8-1. Colorado has won four in a row at home in the series, dating back to the Rams? 23-7 victory in 1986.
Coincidentally
Colorado State?s last visit to Boulder came Sept. 6, 1997. That?s the same date but 11 years later that the Rams last won in Boulder: Sept. 6, 1986, a 23-7 victory.
Lubick Openers
The Rams are 8-3 in season openers under coach Sonny Lubick. Results include:
Season Opponent Result
1993 Oregon L 9-23
1994 at Air Force W 34-21
1995 Montana State W 31-10
1996 Tennessee-Chattanooga W 61-19
1997 Nevada W 45-3
1998 at Michigan State W 23-16
1999 Colorado (Denver) W 41-14
2000 Colorado (Denver) W 28-24
2001 Colorado (Denver) L 14-41
2002 at Virginia W 35-29
2003 Colorado (Denver) L 35-42
Rams Rushing
Colorado State gained 246 rushing yards in the in-state matchup with Colorado in 2003, the most yards the Rams have gained on the ground against the Buffaloes during in nine games during Sonny Lubick?s tenure. Colorado State averages 116.9 yards per game rushing overall against Colorado. In three victories, CSU has gained an average of 148.0 yards per game, and 101.3 yards in defeats.
Season Att. Yards TD Result
2003 39 246 2 L 35-42
2002 38 152 3 W 19-14
2001 29 108 0 L 14-41
2000 28 65 0 W 28-24
1999 38 227 3 W 41-14
1998 38 78 1 L 14-42
1997 33 70 0 L 21-31
1996 25 81 1 L 34-48
1995 29 25 0 L 14-42
Totals 297 1052 10
Defending Champions
Following the opening game at Colorado, the Rams? road is no easier. Colorado State faces defending national champion Southern Cal at the Los Angeles Coliseum Sept. 11, before returning home to face the University of Minnesota. The highest ranked team the Rams have played in school history was No. 4 Arizona in 1994. Colorado State won that game, 21-16 in Tucson.
First Ever
Colorado State?s home opener in 2004 comes Sept. 18 when the Rams face the University of Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are the first Big Ten Conference member to ever play the Rams in Fort Collins at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.
Dreessen Career
H-Back Joel Dreessen missed four complete games and was hobbled the entire season by a lower-abdominal strain. Dreessen enjoyed the finest receiving game of his career at UNLV, when he caught a career-most seven passes including the game-winner with under a minute to play on a three-yard pass from backup QB Justin Holland. He then caught five passes for 28 yards in the San Francisco Bowl game with Boston College.
Anderson Streak
WR David Anderson, who earned first-team all-conference honors in 2003, set school records with 72 receptions for 1,272 yards. He tied another school mark with six 100-yard games, and his nine touchdown receptions are the second most in school history in a saeason. Anderson begins 2004 having caught at least one pass in 13 consecutive games - every game in 2003. His lowest total game in the final regular-season game, one reception for 12 yards. He followed that by catching a career-best 10 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown against Boston College in the San Francisco Bowl. Anderson has caught at least one pass in 20 of 26 career appearances. Anderson is currently tied for eighth in career touchdown receptions with ten.
Career Receiving Touchdowns
5. Greg Primus, 1989-92 15
6. J. D. Brookhart, 1985-87 13
6. Frank Rice, 1996-99 13
Pete Rebstock, 1998-00 13
8. Dallas Davis, 1997-99 10
8. Chris Pittman, 2000-03 10
8. David Anderson, 2002-03 10
First 100
RB Jimmy Green made his first career 100-yard rushing game at Colorado State a memorable performance. Green, a sophomore from San Diego, carried 25 times for 113 yards and a touchdown in the Rams? 24-23 win at UNLV which clinched a berth in the Diamond Walnut San Francisco Bowl. Green also led the Rams in rushing against Boston College by gaining 74 yards on 20 carries and scoring the team?s first touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run.
Rams, Colorado Extend Series
Colorado State and Colorado will meet annually in football through 2014 under an agreement announced last spring. Future games include:
Date Location Host
Sept. 9, 2006 INVESCO Field Colorado State
Sept. 1, 2007 Folsom Field Colorado
Aug. 30, 2008 INVESCO Field Colorado State
Sept. 5, 2009 CSU Choice Colorado State
Sept. 4, 2010 Folsom Field Colorado
Sept. 3, 2011 Folsom Field Colorado
Sept. 1, 2012 CSU Choice Colorado State
Aug. 31, 2013 INVESCO Field Colorado
Aug. 30, 2014 INVESCO Field Colorado State
Lubick Duo One of Three
Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick and son Matt are one of only three father-son combinations in the nation at the Division IA level. The others: UTEP: Head Coach Mike Price, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Eric Price; Quarterbacks/Kickers Coach Aaron Price. Indiana State: Head Coach Tim McGuire; Graduate Assistant Coach Tim McGuire, Jr.
First Start
QB Justin Holland made the first start of his career in the Rams? San Francisco Bowl game with Boston College. Holland, a native of Lakewood, Colo., replaced regular starter Bradlee Van Pelt, who was still recovering from a broken hand he suffered in the team?s final regular-season game at UNLV. Van Pelt had surgery two days following the game. Holland completed 8-of-12 passes for 163 yards in his first starting appearance for the Rams.
Rushing Defense
Colorado State has allowed 54 individual 100-yard rushing performances since 1993. The Rams are 31-20 in games where an opponent rusher has gained 100 or more yards and 55-22 when an opponent does not have a 100-yard rusher.
Late-Game Success
Colorado State has a 77-4 record (96%) under Sonny Lubick when the Rams lead after three periods. The four losses include:
Line Trio
Colorado State returns three starting offensive linemen in 2004, led by OT Erik Pears, a first-team all-conference selection as a junior. Pears (29 career starts), OG Albert Bimper (21), and OT Mike Brisiel (21) have combined for 71 career starts.
Holland Start
QB Justin Holland, a junior from Lakewood, Colo., makes his second career start in the team?s opening game at Colorado. Holland started the Rams? San Francisco Bowl game against Boston College and completed 8-of-12 passes for 79 yards.
Rams? Passing Fancy
The Rams are 7-15 in games where the team has attempted 35 or more passes and 79-26 games when attempting less than 35 passes since 1993.
Returning Starts
Colorado State?s 2004 roster includes 24 players who have started a minimum of one game during their careers, including seven who have started 20 or more games. Three of the returning players have started 30 or more career games.
Big 12 Opponents
Colorado State is 3-9 against Big 12 opponents during Sonny Lubick?s 12-year tenure. All three victories have come against Colorado.
Last Win
Colorado State?s most recent victory over a Big 12 opponent came in 2002, a 19-14 win over Colorado at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver.
On Fox
Colorado State has a 21-9 record in games televised by Fox Sports Network and its affiliates Colorado State?s most recent appearance on Fox came last season during a 23-21 win at California.
At Night
Colorado State is 34-23 in 57 night games played during Sonny Lubick?s tenure at Colorado State. The Rams were 3-4 in night games in 2003.
In September
Colorado State has a 22-19 record in 41 games played during the month of September since Sonny Lubick arrived in 1993.
Homestate Talent
Forty-four players from within the borders of Colorado are listed on Colorado State?s roster entering the opening game at Colorado, more than any other state. Colorado State?s roster currently 116 members, meaning 38 percent of the student-athletes listed on the roster are from within state.
National Television
Colorado State?s opening game at Colorado will by shown live by Fox Sports Network, one of seven scheduled national or regional television appearances by the Rams in 2004. Other telecasts are expected to be added as the season progresses.
Nighttime in Boulder
Colorado State?s last visit to Boulder came in 1997, but the last time the teams played at night was 1995, a 42-14 Colorado victory.
Babcock Career
K Jeff Babcock has been the team?s starter the past two seasons. Babcock enters 2004 with 200 points scored, currently fifth on the school?s career list. The list:
Scoring (*Denotes kickers)
1. Steve Bartalo, 1983-86 294
2. *Mike Brown, 1988-90 254
3. Todd Yert, 1987-90 228
4. *Steve DeLine, 1984-86 212
5. *Jeff Babcock, 2001-03 200
Two Century
Twice since 1994, Colorado State has had a runningback rush for more than 100 yards in a game with Colorado, including:
Marcus Houston, 2003 15 104
Kevin McDougal,1999 22 190
Three 300-Passers
QB Bradlee Van Pelt in 2003 became the third quarterback since 1994 to throw for more than 300 yards in a game with Colorado, including:
300-Yard Passing Games
Bradlee Van Pelt,2003 339
Matt Newton, 2000 327
Moses Moreno, 1996 312
Century Receiving
In last year?s meeting with Colorado, WR Chris Pittman and WR David Anderson each gained more than 100 receiving yards. Six times since 1994, the Rams have had a 100-yard receiver in the annual in-state battle, incuding:
Chris Pittman, 2003 144
David Anderson, 2003 142
Pete Rebstock, 2001 103
Frank Rice, 2000 113
Darran Hall, 1997 132
Geoff Turner, 1996 157
Stratton Picks
Returning starter Ben Stratton led CSU with four interceptions in 2004 and ranked among the Mountain West Conference leaders in picks. Stratton, a junior from Cheyenne, Wyo.,finished third on the team with 79 tackles.
Switched
OG Clint Oldenburg makes his offensive line debut at Colorado. Oldenburg played as a reserve tight end last year and was hampered with a lower groin strain. Over the summer, Oldenburg agreed to switch to offensive line, where he is a projected starter at guard. Oldenburg concluded spring workouts weighing 255 pounds, but will open the season weighing 290.
Open Two Road
Colorado State plays back-to-back road games at Colorado and Southern California before returning to play host to the University of Minnesota (Sept. 18). It marks the first time since 1989 Colorado State opens a respective season with two consecutive road games.
All-Time Colorado Openers
Colorado State?s in-state rivalry with Colorado dates back to 1893 - the first year of competition on the Fort Collins campus. The series renews for the 97th time Sept. 4 in Boulder. Since 1893, the state?s two largest public institutions. Of the 96 previous games, only 15 have served as Colorado State?s season openers. The Rams are 5-10 against Colorado when the game is CSU?s season-opener.
On The Road
Colorado State has an impressive 42-21 (67%) road record during Sonny Lubick?s tenure, matching the team?s home wins over the same period. Colorado State was 3-2 on the road in 2003.
Last Road Win vs. Big 12
Colorado State?s last road win against a Big 12 Conference member came in 1986, when the Rams won 23-7 in Boulder.
New Starters
QB Justin Holland, a junior, made his starting debut in the 2003 Diamond Walnut San Francisco Bowl. Holland, who is the prep all-time career passing leader in Colorado history, is the team?s starter in 2004. It marks the fifth time in Sonny Lubick?s 11 seasons as head coach the Rams will have a first-year starting quarterback. Each of Holland?s four predecessors led the Rams to a winning record while two have led the team to the conference title, and three have guided the Rams to a bowl appearance. The list of first-year starting quarterbacks under Sonny Lubick and their records include:
Year Quarterback Record Conf. Record Bowl
1995 Moses Moreno 8-4 6-2/T-1st Holiday
1998 Ryan Eslinger 8-4 5-3/3rd --
1999 Matt Newson 8-4 5-2/T-1st Liberty
2001 Bradlee Van Pelt 7-5 5-2/2nd New Orleans
More Starters
The four previous quarterbacks to become new starters under coach Sonny Lubick have a combined 4-0 record in their first game at the helm. The list includes:
Year Quarterback Opponent Score (Passing) (Rushing)
1995 Moses Moreno Montana State W 31-10 16-6-1-105-1 3- -10-0
1998 Ryan Eslinger at Michigan State W 23-16 26-13-1-205-1 5-3-0
1999 Matt Newton Colorado W 41-14 18-10-0-109-1 2- -4-1
2001 Bradlee Van Pelt Wyoming W 42-14 20-11-0-110-0 11-70-1
Returning and Lost
Category Total Ret. (Pct.) Lost (Pct.)
Rushing Yards 2480 1108 (44.6) 1372 (55.3)
Passing Yards 3226 381 (11.8) 2845 (88.1)
Receptions 217 133 (61.2) 84 (38.8)
Scoring 381 267 (70.0) 114 (30.0)
Punt Ret. Yards 437 16 (3.7) 421 (96.3)
Kick Ret. Yards 1016 198 (19.5) 818 (80.5)
Interceptions 13 7 (53.9) 6 (46.1)
Field Goals 13 13 (100.0) 0 (0.0)
Total Offense 5706 1493 (26.1) 4213 (73.9)
Punting Yards 2107 2107 (100.0) 0 (0.0)
Ram Zone
Athletic department officials in the past several months organized several new activities in conjunction with home football games, including:
Century Rushers
Colorado State has had 78 100-yard rushing performances since 1993. The Rams are 55-12 in games where a back has gained 100 or more yards, and 33-28 in games where the team has not had a back gain more than 100 yards.
Year Total Record
2003 6 3-3
2002 12 7-4
2001 6 2-2
2000 5 3-1
1999 6 6-0
1998 5 4-0
1997 10 8-1
1996 13 8-1
1995 8 6-1
1994 4 4-0
1993 3 3-0
Totals 77 54-12
At Home
Year Rec. Loss(es)
2004 0-0
2003 4-2 Miami (Ohio); Utah
2002 4-1 UNLV
2001 3-2 San Diego St.; Fresno State
2000 5-0 --
1999 4-1 San Diego State
1998 3-1 Wyoming
1997 4-1 Air Force
1996 4-2 Colorado; Wyoming
1995 3-2 BYU; New Mexico
1994 5-1 Utah
1993 3-2 Oregon; BYU
Total 42-15
On The Road
Year Rec. Road Loss(es)
2004 0-0
2003 3-2 Wyoming; New Mexico
2002 5-2 UCLA; Fresno State
2001 3-2 Louisville; BYU
2000 3-2 Arizona State; Air Force
1999 3-2 BYU; Fresno State
1998 5-2 Air Force; Rice
1997 5-1 Colorado
1996 3-3 Oregon; Nebraska; Tulsa
1995 5-1 Colorado
1994 5-0 --
1993 2-4 Nebraska; Kansas; San Diego St.; Utah
Totals 42-21
Before Open Dates
Year Opponent Result
2003 Air Force W 30-20
2002 Louisville W 36-33
2002 Air Force W 31-12
2001 Nevada W 35-18
1999 at BYU L 13-34
1999 at New Mexico W 36-22
1997 Air Force L 0-24
1997 Fresno State W 41-3
1995 at Air Force W 27-20
1995 Hawaii W 22-0
1994 Utah L 31-45
1993 New Mexico W 21-20
Following Open Dates
Year Opponent Result
2003 at Wyoming L 28-35
2002 at Nevada W 32-28
2002 at San Diego State W 49-21
Neutral Sites
Year Rec. Neutral Site Loss(es)
2003 0-2 Colorado (Denver); Boston College (San Francisco)
2002 1-1 TCU (Liberty Bowl)
2001 1-1 Colorado (Denver)
2000 2-0 --
1999 1-1 So. Mississippi (Liberty Bowl)
1998 0-1 Colorado (Denver)
1997 2-0 --
1995 0-1 Kansas State (Holiday Bowl)
1994 0-1 Michigan (Holiday Bowl)
Totals 7-8
