Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Colorado
Another Heartbreaker In Boulder
9/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2005
Final Stats | Photo Gallery
Colorado State University's late-game rally fell three points short in Saturday's football season opener at Colorado, the Rams losing 31-28.
CU kicker Mason Crosby hit a 47-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining in the game after Colorado State had tied the score 32 seconds earlier.
Quarterback Justin Holland, his team trailing 28-21, guided Colorado State on an 8-play, 80-yard drive, finding h-back Kory Sperry in the back of the end zone on a 9-yard scoring pass with 36 seconds to play. Kicker Kevin Mark's extra point knotted the game.
But Stephone Robinson returned the ensuing kickoff to the Rams' 40-yard line, and a pair of pass completions set up the winning kick.
The Rams appeared in control of the game, leading 21-10 entering the fourth quarter behind Holland, wide receiver David Anderson, and runningback Kyle Bell. But Colorado scored three touchdowns in the final quarter, and Crosby's kick was the difference.
Holland , who finished the game completing 28-of-43 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns. He set a new career high with the 43 attempts, and matched his career high with three touchdowns.
Anderson, meanwhile, matched his career high with 12 receptions for 119 yards and a score. Bell came on for starter Nnamdi Ohaeri, who suffered an ankle injury in the first half and didn't return. He gained 66 yards on 14 carries.
Colorado State's defense turned in an impressive performance, generating three turnovers - including an interception and fumble recovery by safety Miles Kochevar - and five quarterback sacks.
The Rams scored the game's first points with 2 minutes, 39 seconds remaining in the first quarter when b-back Jimmy Green capped a 6-play, 28-yard drive with a three-yard run following a CU fumble.
After Colorado netted a field goal and touchdown to lead 10-7, the Rams rallied on a one-yard pass from Holland to Anderson 33 seconds before halftime to lead 14-10. Colorado State moved the lead to 21-10 when Holland tossed a one-yard scoring pass to tight end Matt Bartz.
From there, CU scored 18 points in a row including a pair of touchdowns and another field goal, setting the stage for CSU's final rally.
The Rams' defense was led by linebacker Jahmal Hall, who had a team-most nine tackles while linebacker Jeff Horinek, a freshman making his first start, finished with eight.
CSU finished the game with 386 total yards, 10 fewer than Colorado.
Colorado State returns to action Sept. 10 at Minnesota (1 p.m. CT/12 noon MT) in a game that will be telecast live nationally by ESPN2. The Rams then have an open weekend before playing at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium for the first time in 2005 against Nevada Sept. 24.
