Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Begin Preparations For New Mexico
10/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2005
Colorado State University's football team faces a daunting task of stopping New Mexico runningback Dontrell Moore, made even more difficult by a plethora of injuries to the Rams' defensive unit.
Moore, a senior, is averaging a league-leading 121 yards rushing per game, ahead of CSU's Kyle Bell, who is second at 109 yards per game.
"He's a good runningback. I think, number one, he's strong. Many times we have him stopped in the hole, but he eludes the tackler," said Rams' coach Sonny Lubick.
"He's got some shiftiness. You never get a clean shot in on him. He's got the whole package. He will make you miss in a small area."
Moore has had more than his share of success against CSU in the last three seasons, averaging 191 yards per game and 6.1 yards per attempt.
"He makes an awful lot of long runs out of a three-yard run," said Lubick.
Moore isn't the only threat for the Lobos, who are 5-3 overall and 3-2 in Mountain West Conference play.
Quarterback Kole McKamey and wide receiver Hank Baskett are prime weapons as well, Lubick said.
"Baskett is a good-looking receiver. He's big, tall, and has great range and can run. He'll be a handful to take care of," Lubick said.
McKamey, Lubick said, is dangerous as a rusher or passer.
"I have not seen anybody get much pressure on him."
While those three players figure to be threats to CSU, Lubick said the real strength of the Lobos is the team's offensive line.
"I think the strength of their football team is the offensive line. They are big and strong, and experienced," said Lubick.
Colorado State counters with a defense hit hard by injuries as of late. Starting linebacker Jahmal Hall re-injured his left knee on the first play of last week's win over Wyoming and is out, as is his backup, John Nichols. Nichols did not play last week and faces correct surgery on his right shoulder later this week.
Lubick hopes defensive tackle Delroy Parke, who has missed the past two games with a knee injury, is able to return by Friday night's game which starts at 6 p.m. and will be televised live nationally by ESPN2.
The team took another hit along the defensive line when true freshman Shaun McGoveran, who has played well in the past two games, suffered a concussion in last week's game and is doubtful for action this week.
"It's really important to see if Delroy comes back," said Lubick. "McGoveran was a godsend how he was playing."
Lubick also said backup safety Lukas Davis suffered an injury to his left knee and is likely out for an extended period of time.
Additionally, b-back Tristan Walker is likely out this week with a high ankle sprain.
All of those injuries figure to impact CSU's lineup for this week's critical MWC matchup with the Lobos.
Colorado State is 4-3, 3-1 and in second place entering Friday's contest. The Rams forced five turnovers in last week's 39-31 win over Wyoming. Plus, quarterback Justin Holland continued his steady play by throwing for a career-most 419 yards and a career-best four touchdowns.
Holland Monday was named the conference's offensive player of the week, the first time in his career he's received the honor.
"Justin has had a series of fairly steady and consistent games," said Lubick. "Hopefully he'll just keep playing consistently."
Holland has thrown 18 touchdown passes in 2005, the fifth most in school history and just two shy of tying former Rams' Matt Newton (2000) and Moses Moreno (1996) for the school record, 20 in a season. Holland has thrown at least one scoring pass in each of the team's seven games to date.
His favorite target in last week's win was all-star performer David Anderson, who caught six passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. Anderson is now within reach of the school's records for most receptions and receiving yards. He begins play Friday night with 185 receptions, six shy of Greg Primus' career record, 191. Anderson also has 3,106 career receiving yards, 57 short of Primus' record.
Holland wasn't the only Ram to receive an honor Monday. Reserve cornerback Joey Rucks was named the league's special teams player of the week. Rucks made four special teams tackles and forced a fumble in last week's win over Wyoming.
