Colorado State University Athletics
Football Preview ? vs. Minnesota
9/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Game 2: Colorado State (0-2) vs. Minnesota #22 (2-0)
Date, Site, Time Saturday, Sept. 18, Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium; 8 p.m. MT
Radio Coverage Colorado State Sports Network
T.V. Coverage ESPN2
Telecast Crew Gary Bender (play-by-play); Kelly Stouffer (analyst), Anne Marie Anderson (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, 91-46; 16th career, 112-65
Sonny Lubick Career vs. Minnesota First meeting
Minnesota Coach Glen Mason (Ohio State ?72) 8th season, 47-40; 19th season career,106-104-1
Glen Mason Career vs. Colorado State 1-0; Kansas 24, Colorado State 6, 1993
Overall Series First Meeting
Last Meeting First Meeting
Series Streak First Meeting
Series Streak inFort Collins First Meeting
First Game In Series First Meeting
Last Game In Fort Collins First Meeting
Last Rams? Road Win in Series First Meeting
Weekly Media Events
Coach Sonny Lubick
Players
Weekly Satellite Highlights
Audio/Video Highlights
Media Relations Contacts
Minnesota Schedule (2-0)
Date Opponent Result
S2 Toledo W 63-21
S11 Illinois State W 37-21
S18 at Colorado State
S25 Northwestern*
O2 Penn State*
O9 at Michigan*
O16 at Michigan State*
O23 Illinois*
O30 at Indiana*
N6 at Wisconsin*
N13 Iowa*
*Big 10 Conference games.
Injury Report
LB Landon Jones, hamstring; RB Jimmy Green, ankle; LB Chris Davis, knee; SS Adam Lancisero, hamstring; all did not play at USC. TE Matt Bartz, left knee; LB Luke Mueller, left shoulder; RB Tristan Walker, right knee; all were injured at USC.
Familiar Face
Former Rams? QB Kelly Stouffer - who later was a first-round draft choice and played several seasons in the NFL - will be the color analyst for ESPN2 during Saturday night?s game.
Chamber Recognition
The Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce will be recognized during Saturday night?s game. The chamber is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Rams Featured In USA Today
Colorado State will be featured in USA Today in the Friday, Sept. 17 edition. The national publication had a photographer chronicling the Rams? road trip to USC.
Malone Recognition
Former Colorado State track and field star Casey Malone - who finished sixth in the discus in the recently completed Olympic Games - will be honored during a second quarter ceremony Saturday night. Malone is the first student-athlete in school history to win an NCAA track and field individual championship in the discus in 1998.
Ag Day Events
The 23rd Annual Ag Day takes place Sept. 25 when CSU plays host to Montana State. The event combines the state?s agricultural heritage and ties to the university. Agricultural growers and producers prepare the state?s greatest outdoor barbecue made from quality Colorado products. Ag Day events also include activities, displays, and entertainment.
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.
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.
Stadium Openers
Colorado State plays the first of six home games Saturday night against Minnesota. With the addition of 4,400 permanent seats in the north end zone, the stadium?s capacity has risen to 34,400. Colorado State stands to set a new attendance record for home openers. The current list includes:
Largest Opening Day Crowds
1. 31,607 2002 Louisville; W 36-33
2. 29,672 1997 Nevada; W 45-13
3. 28,797 1994 Utah; W 41-16
4. 28,652 1983 Air Force; L 13-34
5. 28,611 2003 Weber State; W 31-7
6. 28,605 1977 No. Colorado; W 48-10
7. 27,652 1998 UNLV; W 38-16
8. 27,491 1975 BYU; W 21-17
9. 27,482 1991 Arkansas State; W 38-24
10.. 27,257 1979 Utah; L 16-21
Stadium Openers, Part II
Colorado State has won 10 home-opening games in a row dating back to Sonny Lubick?s first season at the helm in 1993. The Rams lost Lubick?s first game as the Rams? coach, 23-9 to Oregon. Home-opening results under Sonny Lubick include:
Year Atten. Opponent; Results
2003 28,611 Weber State; W 31-7
2002 31,607 Louisville; W 36-33
2001 26,367 Nevada; W 35-18
2000 25,122 E. Tenn. St.; W 41-7
1999 25,123 Nevada; W 38-33
1998 27,652 UNLV; W 38-16
1997 29,672 Nevada; W 45-13
1996 27,171 Tenn.-Chatt.; W 61-19
1995 27,068 Montana State; W 31-10
1994 28,797 Utah State; W 41-16
1993 21,721 Oregon; L 9-23
Stadium Openers, Part III
Colorado State is 22-14 all-time in home-opening games at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium dating back to the opening of the facility in 1968.
First Ever
Colorado State?s home opener against the University of Minnesota marks the first Big Ten Conference member to ever play the Rams in Fort Collins at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.
Rams And Big 10
Colorado State?s last game against a Big 10 Conference member was in 1998 in the Black Coaches Association Classic. The Rams scored 23 unanswered points to defeat Michigan State, 23-16, in East Lansing.
Once Before
Rams? coach Sonny Lubick and Minnesota counterpart Glen Mason have faced one another once before as head coach. Mason?s Kansas Jayhawks defeated Colorado State, 24-6, in 1993, Lubick?s first year at CSU.
Lubick vs. Big 10
Sonny Lubick is 1-0 against Big 10 Conference members by virtue of the 23-16 win over Michigan State in 1998 in East Lansing. Lubick?s results against the Big 10 include:
Big 10 All Home Road Neu.
Michigan 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-1
Michigan St. 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0
Minnesota 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Totals 1-1 0-0 1-0 0-1
Return Trip
Colorado State and Minnesota play one another next season in Minneapolis. The teams meet Sept. 17 at the Metrodome.
Dreessen Career
H-Back Joel Dreessen is third on the team in receiving with nine receptions for 49 yards through two games. Dreessen has caught 88 career passes for 915 yards and seven touchdowns. Dreessen missed four complete games in 2003 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.
Holland By Quarter
QB Justin Holland leads the Mountain West Conference in passing, 318.0 yards per game and is 12th nationally in total offense, 298.0 yards per game. His quarter-by-quarter passing breakdown includes:
Passing By Quarter
Game 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total Pass. Eff.
Colorado 2-3, 0 7-11, 88 8-11, 97 12-16, 215 29-41, 403 164.52
USC 4-9, 43 8-15, 69 5-8, 103 2-3, 17 19-35, 233 128.98
Totals 6-12, 43 15-26, 157 13-19, 200 14-19, 232 48-77, 636 128.98
Three Dog Nights
Colorado State plays its third consecutive night game this week when the Rams host Minnesota. Colorado State is 34-25 all-time in 59 night games during Coach Sonny Lubick?s 12-year tenure.
Tough Trio
Colorado State?s first three opponents - Colorado (2-0), Southern California (2-0), and Minnesota (2-0) are a combined 6-0 in 2004. USC and Minnesota both rank among the top 25 nationally and Colorado is receiving votes.
NCAA Rankings
QB Justin Holland and WR David Anderson both rank among the NCAA leaders in various statistical categories, including:
QB Justin Holland
WR David Anderson
Anderson Century
WR David Anderson has had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games in 2004, catching 9-156 at Colorado, and 9-137 at USC. Anderson has eight career 100-yard receiving games, third most in school history. He 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 season.
100-Yard Receiving Games
2004: 2
Colorado 156
USC 137
2003: 6
Air Force 199
Miami 167
Colorado 142
California 141
New Mexico 134
Boston College 134
Anderson Long Plays
WR David Anderson has 18 total receptions to date in 2004, of which six have been for 20 or more yards, including four at Colorado (28, 22, 21, 20), and two at Southern California (22, 21).
Anderson Update
Anderson has caught at least one pass in 15 consecutive games - every game in 2003 and the first two games in 2004. His lowest total receptions in a game over that span came in the final regular-season game of 2003 at UNLV, one reception for 12 yards. He followed performance 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 22 of 28 career appearances. Anderson is currently ninth in career touchdown receptions with ten.
Career Receiving Touchdowns
Player, Years TD?s
1. Mark R. Bell, 1975-78 23
2. Jeff Champine, 1980-83 21
3. Willie Miller, 1972-74 18
Paul Turner, 1993-97 18
5. Greg Primus, 1989-92 15
6. J. D. Brookhart, 1985-87 13
Frank Rice, 1996-99 13
Pete Rebstock, 1998-00 13
9. David Anderson, 2002-03 10
Anderson Yardage
WR David Anderson is among the school?s career list in receiving yardage. He currently has 1,629, nine shy of passing former WR Dallas Davis for the 10th spot. The list includes:
Career Receiving Yards
Player, Years Yards
4. Pete Rebstock, 1998-2001 2,009
5. Todd Tyrrell, 1984-87 1,994
6. Paul Turner, 1993-97 1,948
7. J.D. Brookhart, 1984-87 1,873
8. David Anderson, 2002-04 1,766
9. Chris Pittman, 2000-03 1,720
10. Mark R. Bell, 1975-78 1,684
Anderson Receptions
WR David Anderson has 98 career receptions and later this season could join the career list, which includes:
Career Receptions
Player, Years Rec.
7. Chris Pittman, 2000-03 129
8. Dallas Davis, 1997-2001 127
9. Paul Turner, 1993-97 118
10. Todd Tyrrell, 1984-87 116
NR David Anderson, 2002-04 98
Anderson All-Purpose
WR David Anderson ranks 10th nationally in all-purpose yards per game. His game-by-game capsule includes:
Game Rec. KOR PR Total Avg.
Colorado 156 46 17 219 --
USC 137 -- 1 138 --
Totals 293 46 18 357 178.5
After The Catch
WR David Anderson?s game-by-game totals for yardage gained after the reception include:
Game Rec. Yards YAC* Pct.
Colorado 9 156 34 21.7
USC 9 137 28 20.4
Totals 18 293 62 21.2
*Yards gained after the catch. Pct., is percentage of receiving yards gained after the reception.
Rushing Totals
Colorado State has built its the success of its offensive foundation on a solid rushing game. Colorado State averages 175.5 yards per game rushing in the team?s 136 games under Sonny Lubick, including 199.5 in 90 victories. The breakdown includes:
Games Yards Avg.
Wins 90 17,959 199.5
Losses 46 5,914 128.6
Totals 136 23,873 175.5
Babcock Career
K Jeff Babcock has been the team?s starter the past two seasons. Babcock is currently fifth on the school?s career list. The career scoring leaders includes:
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, 2001-03 206
New Starters
Colorado State?s lineup at USC featured three new faces. TE Brandon Alconcel started in the team?s double-tight end set, his first start of 2004 and fifth of his career. S Miles Kochevar started in place of injured Adam Lancisero (hamstring), and led Colorado State with eight tackles in his first career start. RB Tristan Walker made the first start of his career before leaving the game with a knee contusion. Walker gained 12 yards on three carries prior to being injured.
Youth Is Served
Colorado State features a youthful lineup in 2004. Of the non-specialty players listed on the team?s current depth chart, 32 are either sophomores or freshman - 14 on defense, 18 on offense.
Rushing Defense
Colorado State has allowed 56 individual 100-yard rushing performances since 1993. The Rams are 31-22 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.
Lineup Card
Colorado State?s current roster features 29 players who have started at least one game in their respective careers entering Saturday night?s game with Minnesota. K Jeff Babcock is the active leader with 41 starts. DE Patrick Goodpaster has started more games in his career, 37, than any other defensive player. HB Joel Dreessen has started 36 times in his career, most among offensive position players. TE Matt Bartz? streak will end this week. Bartz, a junior from Concordia, Kan., suffered a knee injury last week. Bartz has started the team?s last 25 games in a row, and 26 in his career.
Kochevar Tops Defense
S Miles Kochevar, who played extensively in the secondary in the team?s opening game, drew his first career start at USC in the absence of injured Adam Lanciscero. He led the Rams with eight tackles including five unassisted stops, both career highs for the junior from Fruita, Colo.
Jaunarajs Leads
Junior RB Uldis Jaunarajs emerged as a rushing threat for the Rams in 2004. He replaced injured Tristan Walker in the lineup in the second quarter, and led Colorado State by gaining 74 yards on 13 attempts. He established a new career high with his rushing total, which included a 38-yard gain.
Starting Point
P Jeff Babcock has punted 10 times in two games to date. Three of Babcock?s 10 kicks have been downed inside the opponent?s 20-yard-line.
Stratton Leads
S Ben Stratton was third on the team in tackles in 2003 with 79 stops. Through two games, the junior from Cheyenne, Wyo., leads Colorado State with 19 stops, 11 unassisted. He was credited with four tackles at USC. Stratton begins play this week tied for fourth in the league in total tackles.
Three At Home
Colorado State begins a three-game homestand this week when Minnesota visits Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. Following Saturday night?s game, the Rams then host Montana State (1 p.m.) for the school?s annual Ag Day celebration, then play host to BYU in the conference opener Oct. 2. The game with BYU begins at 8 p.m. and will be televised live locally by Fox Sports Network Rocky Mountain.
Home And Road
Colorado State has nine remaining games on the 2004 schedule. Of that total, six will be played within the friendly confines of Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium, and three on the road including the final regular-season game against instate rival Air Force at Falcon Stadium Nov. 20.
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:
At Home
Colorado State enters Saturday?s home-opener against Minnesota with a 105-78-2 all-time record at Hughes Stadium. The Rams are 42-15 at home (73.7%) during Sonny Lubick?s 12-year tenure.
More At Home
Sonny Lubick has guided the Rams to 42 home wins, 40 percent of the school?s home wins since the stadium opened in 1968.
Happy Returns
True freshman Damon Morton returned five kickoffs for 90 yards at USC. Morton, also a backup wide receiver, has played in both games to date.
On Television
Saturday night?s game between the Rams and Minnesota will by Colorado State?s 20th appearance on ESPN2, and 42nd on either ESPN or ESPN2. Colorado State will be making its 102nd regional or national television Saturday night since Lubick arrived in 1993.
Rams? Passing Fancy
The Rams are 7-17 in games where the team has attempted 35 or more passes and 79-26 games when attempting less than 35 passes since 1993.
At Night
Colorado State is 34-25 in 59 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 22-21 record in 43 games played during the month of September since Sonny Lubick arrived in 1993.
Ranked Foes At Home
Colorado State is 12-13 under coach Sonny Lubick against top-25 teams. Saturday night?s game with Minnesota marks the sixth time a top-25 team will visit Hughes Stadium since Sonny Lubick?s arrival as head coach in 1993. The Rams are 1-4 in home games under Lubick?s guidance against top-25 teams including:
Year Team Result
2001 Fresno State (OT) L 22-25
1996 Colorado L 34-48
Wyoming L 24-25
1995 BrighamYoung L 21-28
1993 Fresno State W 34-33
Field Position
Colorado State has had 25 offensive positions in two games to date. Of that total, the Rams only once have taken possession inside opponent territory - that coming at USC?s eight-yard-line following a turnover. The best field position the Rams have assumed other than that possession was their own 40-yard-line against the Trojans. All 13 of the Rams? possessions in the opening game at Colorado began in their own territory - including nine at the 25-yard-line or deeper.
Field Position Part II
Colorado State?s average field position through two games has been the Rams? own 23-yard-line.
Scoring Drives
To date through two games, the Rams have had four scoring drives (3 touchdowns, one field goal). All have been at least 80 yards. The Rams have had three 80-yard drives and an 85-yard scoring drive.
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
2004 0 0-0
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 0-2 Colorado; USC
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 42-23
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
Ram Zone
Athletic department officials in the past several months organized several new activities in conjunction with home football games, including:
Six Hall of Fame Inductees
Six former Rams will be inducted into Colorado State?s Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony Nov. 12 at the University Park Holiday Inn in Fort Collins. Former Rams are: Stanley Albert (Men?s Basketball), Shelly Borrman (Track and Field), Becky Hammon (Women?s Basketball), Casey Malone (Track and Field), Sean Moran (Football), and Dan Sniff (Wrestling). Albert was a three-time basketball letterwinner who played in the East-West Shrine game. Borrman (formerly Greathouse), was a four-time track and field letterwinner won three conference discus titles and was second in that event at the NCAA Championships in 1999. Hammon played basketball at CSU from 1994-99 and averaged 21.5 points per game in her career. A three-time WAC player of the year, Hammon set numerous school and has since become an all-star for the WNBA?s New York Liberty. Casey Malone competed in track and field at CSU from 1995-2000 and finished sixth in the 2004 Olympic Games in the discus. He became the school?s first NCAA track champion in 1998. He was a four-time All-American and an Academic All-American. He also won two conference titles while at CSU. Sean Moran, who played football at CSU from 1991-95, is currently a member of the St. Louis Rams football team. Moran in 1994, started all 12 games and achieving All-Conference First Team and All-American honorable mention. After his career at CSU, he was selected in the fourth round (120th overall pick) in the 1996 NFL draft. Former Ram wrestler Dan Sniff competed at CSU from 1950-55. In his junior year, he was the NCAA runner-up. His senior year started he went undefeated during the regular season. Sniff competed in the Olympic Trials in 1952.
