Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Finish Preparations For Air Force
9/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 28, 2005
Colorado State University football coach Sonny Lubick figures it will be the little things that make a big difference in Thursday night's Mountain West Conference football showdown with Air Force.
"In a game like this, you have to do the little things. You have to play well on special teams, cut down on turnovers, and avoid the big plays," Lubick said Wednesday following his team's 90-minute workout in shorts, helmets and shoulder pads.
"You know that both teams are going to play hard. So a game like this usually comes down to the little things that make a difference in the game."
Lubick is also hoping his team carries over the confidence gained in last week's 42-21 win over the University of Nevada, including a rushing game that produced 257 yards. Runningback Kyle Bell, in his first career start, gained 183 yards and scored once to lead the way. Bell is third in the MWC in rushing, 89 yards per game, and 38th in the nation. He'll join senior quarterback Justin Holland in the backfield for CSU.
Holland is averaging 241.7 yards passing per game, third best among MWC quarterbacks. His favorite target is starting wide receiver David Anderson, a senior who averaged 7.3 receptions per game, tops in the league and seventh nationally. Anderson ranks fifth in the MWC and 39th nationally with 81.7 yards receiving per game. Opposite Anderson in the starting lineup is Dustin Osborn, who has caught eight passes in 2005, three for touchdowns. Reserves Johnny Walker and George Hill have been instrumental in the team's passing success thus far.
Walker is second behind Anderson with 12 catches and is fourth in the league and 38th nationally in receiving yards per game, 82.0. Hill is fourth in the league in all-purpose yards, averaging 119.3 per game. He is also averaging 23.2 yards per kick return, fourth best among MWC players, and 54th in the nation.
Veteran tight end Matt Bartz has five receptions in three games, but two have been touchdowns. H-back Kory Sperry is third on the team with nine receptions.
A week ago, Colorado State's offensive line played well according to Lubick, and he's looking for the same results Thursday. Center Albert Bimper will be joined by guards Nick Allotta and Josh Day, along with tackles Clint Oldenburg and Mike Brisiel. Allotta made his first career start a week ago in place of injured Brandon Alconcel. Alconcel dislocated his right elbow against Minnesota and did not play against Nevada. He is listed as questionable for Thursday's game.
Defensively, the Rams have shown continual improvement through three games, but will be tested by Air Force's flexbone attack which annually ranks among the NCAA rushing leaders.
Cornerback Robert Herbert leads CSU with 22 tackles. He'll start opposite Darryl Williams at the other cornerback spot. Travis Garcia and Miles Kochevar will be the starters at the safety positions. Garcia and Kochevar each have made 19 tackles.
Courtney Jones starts at middle linebacker, flanked by Jahmal Hall and Jeff Horinek. Hall, a senior, and Horinek, a redshirt freshman each rank among the team leaders with 19 tackles, as does Jones, who has 17 stops.
Colorado State's front four, Lubick said, has played well in 2005 but faces a stern test Wednesday night. Terrance Carter and Jesse Nading are the ends, with Delroy Parke and Blake Smith starting at the tackle positions.
Jimmie Kaylor is averaging 44.8 yards per punt, second best in the conference and 11th nationally. Kevin Mark, second on the team with 15 points, is the placekicker.
The game kicks off at 5:30 p.m, and will be televised live locally by ESPN. Mike Tirico calls the play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreit is the analyst and Erin Andrews provides sideline reports. All CSU games are also broadcast statewide on the Colorado State Sports Network. Rich Bircumshaw handles the play-by-play duties while former Ram all-star Erik Olson is the color analyst. Brian Roth provides sideline reports and Kevin McGlue is the game producer.
Plenty of tickets still remain for Thursday night's game. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-491-RAMS, or online at CSURAMS.com. Tickets are also for sale at all King Soopers and City Market grocery store locations throughout the state of Colorado.
