Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Air Force
Rams Cruise To Victory
9/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 29, 2005
Colorado State University turned in its most impressive football performance of the year in a 41-23 Mountain West Conference victory over visiting Air Force Thursday night before a national television audience on ESPN.
Winning for the second time in a row, the Rams amassed 551 yards - the team's highest total in nearly two seasons - and held Air Force to 357 yards in the win. Colorado State evened its record at 2-2, and won the team's first MWC game of the season.
"We are so darned pleased," said Rams' coach Sonny Lubick following the game. "When you win, it's a lot more fun. That was a good effort by our football team in all phases."
One of the key phases was CSU's defense, which forced a pair of first-quarter fumbles, one leading to Kyle Bell's one-yard touchdown run.
"Our defense played really played well early on," said Lubick.
Bell played well early on and throughout the contest, finishing the game with 197 yards, surpassing his career high (183 yards of a week ago). He carried 32 times and scored three times, later finding the end zone twice in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard run and a nine-yard run.
"What can you say about Kyle Bell?" Lubick asked. "He was better today than he was last week. He made himself a player. He got some confidence last week, and played even better tonight."
Bell, in four games has already gained 464 yards, surpassing the team's leader a year ago when Jimmy Green finished with 436.
Bell had plenty of help, including quarterback Justin Holland, who completed 17-of-26 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Two of his touchdowns were to receiver David Anderson, who caught a game-most seven passes for 105 yards. Anderson moved into fifth on the school's career receiving yards with 2,763 yards. It also marked the 12th time in his career he has passed the 100-yard receiving mark, second in school history. Anderson has 15 career touchdown receptions, fifth most in CSU history.
Holland, meanwhile, had another stellar performance, throwing for more than 300 yards for the third time in his career and second game in a row. Holland how has 3,526 career yards, 10th most in school history.
"Justin was pretty darned good again tonight," said Lubick. "He put the ball where it had to be."
Colorado State's defense was led by linebacker Jeff Horinek, who had nine tackles while cornerback Darryl Williams had eight.
The Rams got on the board first with 8 minutes, two seconds left in the first half on Bell's first touchdown. Kevin Mark's point after gave the Rams a 7-0 lead. Air Force took a 9-7 lead on three field goals by kicker Scott Eberle. Colorado State took a lead to the lockerroom at halftime when Holland drove the Rams 88 yards in 10 plays, hitting receiver Luke Roberts with a 27-yard scoring pass with just 19 seconds left in the half.
Air Force took its final lead of the night on the opening drive of the third quarter when Chad Smith's 30-yard run finished a three-play, 80-yard scoring drive.
Holland came back with a pair of scoring passes to Anderson, fro 19 and 23 yards out, to put CSU up 27-16. Bell added a 30-yard run and his nine-yarder sandwiched around Air Force's Ryan Williams 14-yard pass from Shaun Carney for the final scores.
Colorado State returns to action Oct. 8, playing host to Utah at 4:30 p.m. in the school's Homecoming Game. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-491-RAMS, or online at CSURAMS.com.
