Colorado State University Athletics
Football to Begin Preparation for Wyoming Matchup
10/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 16, 2006
Colorado State University football coach Sonny Lubick knows he won't have to remind his team about this week's rivalry with Wyoming.
"The players will know the importance," he said Monday during his weekly news conference. "It's important, no doubt. I think it means a lot to everyone. Every game means a lot."
Colorado State is 4-2 overall, 1-1 in Mountain West Conference play, while the Cowboys are 3-4, 2-1. So Saturday's game also has implications on the league standings.
"It's not over for anyone yet," Lubick said.
The Rams' defense will face redshirt freshman quarterback Karsten Sween, who has guided the Cowboys to back-to-back league victories.
"He looks like he's a talented quarterback," said Lubick. "He does give them a spark. You can see he has toughness, he has grit."
Lubick expects to learn more about the overall health of his team following Monday's workout. A pair of starters, offensive tackle Josh Day (left ankle) and cornerback Joey Rucks (right ankle) missed last week's game at Air Force and Lubick is hopeful both can be ready for action this week.
Three more defenders joined the list after suffering injuries at AFA. Defensive end Jesse Nading (right ankle), safety Mike Pagnotta (left knee), and defensive tackle Erik Sandie (left knee) left the game due to injuries, and Lubick figures they are doubtful for this week's game. Safety Ben Stratton has not played the past four games and remains sidelined with a neck injury.
"We've gone through a few guys," he said in reference to injuries the Rams have suffered in 2006. "We have to have others step up. We may have some guys who have to play more and play longer."
Saturday's game begins at 2 p.m., and will be broadcast on radio by the Colorado State Sports Network, including flagship station KCOL (1410 AM) in Fort Collins and ESPN Radio (560 AM) in Denver. The game will be shown by CSTV.
Athletic department officials also announced a ticket promotion for the team's Oct. 28 home game with New Mexico. Fans who bring a Mountain Dew soft drink can bearing CSU's schedule on it to the athletic ticket office will receive a free ticket to the game with the Lobos with the purchase of a reserved seat.