Colorado State University Athletics
Postgame Notes
10/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 11, 2008
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A takeaway for a takeaway: The Rams erased each of their first two turnovers with a takeaway of their own. Mike Pagnotta intercepted Marcus Jackson after a TCU interception. Then, in the second half, Tommie Hill recovered a fumble following a Klay Kubiak fumble.
Strong statement: The Rams wanted to prove they could run against the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense. On their opening drive, CSU called eight rushing plays (netting 45 yards), including a 4-yard Gartrell Johnson touchdown, on a nine-play, 78-yard opening drive to go up, 7-0. After that, though, TCU shut down the Rams’ rushing efforts.
Rare block: Tommie Hill’s first career block, after TCU’s initial touchdown, was the first by the Rams since the 2006 season, when they had a team block.
Lineup notes: The Rams started a pair of senior veterans on defense, Wade Landers at defensive end and Jake Galusha at free safety.
Smith returns: Jason Smith, finally returning to 100 percent following a freak broken arm in August, made his first kickoff of the 2008 season, recording a touchback to open the second half.
Rare big play: Marcus Jackson’s 45-yard pass to Walter Bryant was the longest allowed by the CSU defense this year.
RB Gartrell Johnson, with his first-quarter rushing touchdownsurpassed No. 9 Oscar Reed (17) on CSU’s all-time list.
SS Mike Pagnotta: Extended the best season of his career.
- For the fourth time in his career today, Pagnotta collected a sack and interception in the same game (also Sept. 1, 2007, vs. Colorado; Sept. 16, 2006, at Nevada; and Sept. 20, 2008, vs. Houston.
- For the first time in his career, he has more than one INT in a season, including his fourth career INT (second of 2008) in the second quarter.
- The senior now has had a hand in five takeaways; he forced a second-quarter fumble from Shane Vereen, recovered by the Rams’ Matt Rupp, ending a long Cal drive inside the CSU 10-yard line Sept. 27. On Sept. 20 vs. Houston, he had a sack, interception and fumble recovery. And, he recovered a fumble that set up the game-winning field goal vs. Sacramento State (Sept. 6).
- He nearly had another takeaway in the first quarter, dropping a sure interception and touchdown return.
