Colorado State University Athletics
CSU's Focus Shifts to Minnesota
9/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 5, 2005
Two days after suffering a disappointing 31-28 loss to instate rival Colorado in Boulder, Colorado State University's football team returned to work in preparation for Saturday's game at Minnesota.
The task for the Rams gets no easier. Minnesota, 1-0, beat Tulsa 41-10 on the road last Thursday night behind a rushing game that netted 301 yards. Runningback Laurence Maroney gained 203 yards for the Golden Gophers.
"We're facing as good a running offense team this week as any we'll face with maybe the exception of Air Force," said Rams' coach Sonny Lubick Monday.
"That's what they do. Maroney is a good runner. We're not looking to shut him down. I don't think anyone, even in the big 10, can do that."
The Rams appear to be significantly better defensively than a season ago, having allowed just 113 yards rushing in last week's game.
"The defense played well," said Lubick.
He was content overall with the Rams' opening-game performance.
"I was very pleased with the effort of our football team in the game. We played extremely well for the first game. We have some veterans, who played with poise, played solid."
Lubick said he expects his team to bounce back from last week's game in time for the contest at Minnesota.
"They'll be fine. Only time will tell. But whether we won last week, or lost, we still have to play Minnesota. I don't put too much stock in a game taking too much out of you. I don't think one game should change your outlook no matter how big a game it is."
CSU suffered only two significant injuries in the game. Cornerback Darryl Williams (concussion) could be ready by Saturday's game. Lubick isn't as optimistic about runningback Nnamdi Ohaeri, the opening-day starter, who left the contest in the first half with a left ankle sprain.
"Nnamdi played against a good defense. It was hard to get some things going early, but he had some good four- and five-yard runs. He could be out four to six weeks. Going in our thinking was he was an individual who could carry 50-to-60 percent of the load."
Lubick plans to huddle with his staff to settle on Ohaeri's replacement. Jimmy Green, who led the team in rushing a year ago, saw duty both at runningback and the team's new "blocking back" position at Colorado. Green gained 30 yards on 11 carries and scored the team's first touchdown on a three-yard run. Kyle Bell, Ohaeri's top backup, came into the game and led the Rams with 66 rushing yards.
After a brief workout in shorts and helmets plus a video review Monday afternoon, the Rams are back on the field in full pads Tuesday to prepare for Saturday's game in the HHH Metrodome.
Saturday's game begins at 1 CT/12 noon MT, and will be shown live nationally by ESPN2. The game can be heard on the Colorado State Sports Network including flagship station KCOL (600 AM) in Fort Collins and KNUS (710 AM) in Denver. Rich Bircumshaw calls the play-by-play, Erik Olson is the analyst, and Brian Roth provides sideline reports. Kevin McGlue is the game producer.
Tickets to all five of CSU's home games in 2005 - including dates with Front Range rivals Air Force and Wyoming, along with Utah, San Diego State, and Nevada, are on sale by calling 1-800-491-RAMS, or online at CSURAMS.com. Single-game tickets are also available at all King Soopers and City Market grocery store locations throughout the state of Colorado.
Colorado State opens the home schedule Sept. 24, playing host to the University of Nevada in the newly-renovated Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. Game time is 4 p.m.
