Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Begin Game Week Preparations for Utah
10/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 3, 2005
Sonny Lubick may have to shuffle his offensive line this week due to a pair of injuries as his Colorado State University football team prepares for Saturday's game with the University of Utah at 4:30 p.m. in Fort Collins.
Starting center Albert Bimper left last week's 41-23 win over Air Force late in the contest with a strained left hamstring and right knee sprain, and figures to be out indefinitely, while offensive guard Josh Day was suffered a strained left hamstring earlier in the game.
"That's a concern," said Lubick of the possibility of losing two starters along a line that has helped produce more than 200 yards rushing in each of the team's past two games, both victories.
"But you have to go on. I think we have some guys there. But the two guys we're talking about (Bimper and Day) are very experienced and very capable guys. Hopefully we have some guys step up."
Bimper has started 36 games in his career, while Day has started the last 15 in a row. Lubick said team officials are awaiting results of a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) test conducted over the weekend, while Day is listed as day-to-day.
Nick Allotta, a 6-foot, 3-inch sophomore, has started the past two games at guard in place of Brandon Alconcel. Allotta will be at center for Saturday's Mountain West Conference game. He replaced Alconcel, who played only a few downs against Air Force when Bimper went out after suffering a dislocated elbow Sept. 10 at Minnesota. Alconcel figures to return to the lineup in earnest Saturday. He did not play at all in CSU's first win of the year over Nevada.
If Day can't play, Lubick hinted redshirt freshman Dane Stratton would start in his place.
The news comes on the heels of back-to-back wins by the Rams heading into Saturday's game. Lubick figures the task is a daunting one in light of the injuries as well as Utah's defensive prominence.
"Utah is a good football team. They are as good as any team in our conference. They are very good on defense again," said Lubick. "They are real physical."
Lubick also praised the play of Ute quarterback Brian Johnson and runningback Quinton Ganther..
"Offensively, Johnson improves with each ballgame. He's real talented, and can move the ball. Ganther runs hard. he's a tough guy."
The Rams also received news Monday that punter Jimmie Kaylor was named the MWC special teams player of the week.
"Kaylor has been very much improved. I think the thing that makes him more special is he's a good athlete. He's a guy back there who was a quarterback in high school and played a position, and played other sports. We are as a staff very pleased," Lubick said.
Kaylor, a sophomore from Northglenn, Colo., leads the league and ranks ninth nationally by averaging 45.2 yards per punt.
There is no live television coverage for Saturday's Homecoming Game. CSU Director of Athletics Mark Driscoll announced last Friday a "Sellout Saturday" campaign to generate fan support for the game. Driscoll said tickets in the north end zone, normally $40, have been discounted to $25 while supplies last. Other reserved seats on the west side of the stadium are also available.
Tickets are available by calling 1-800-491-RAMS, or online at CSURAMS.com. Tickets to all CSU games are also available at all King Soopers and City Market grocery store locations throughout the state of Colorado.
