Colorado State University Athletics
Postgame notes
8/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 31, 2008
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
True freshmen: Colorado State used five true freshmen tonight: Ben DeLine, Marquise Law, Adam Wilson, Gerard Thomas and Michael Kawulok.
- Over the previous two years combined (2006-07), the Rams used just two, both in 2007 (tight end Eric Peitz and long-snapper Steve Bryan). In 2006, CSU and Wake Forest were the only Division I programs that did not use a true freshman.
- Over the previous three years (2005-07), the number is just five, including S Klint Kubiak, DT Shaun McGoveran and DE Wade Landers in 2005. The last time CSU used as many as five true freshmen in an entire season was six in 2004 -- WR Damon Morton, RB Gartrell Johnson, DE Matt Rupp, TE Kory Sperry, QB Caleb Hanie and RB Kyle Bell.
Solid premiere: True freshman K Ben DeLine was perfect in his collegiate debut, converting two PATs and also hitting his first-career field goal attempt, hitting a 26-yarder with 2:17 left in the third quarter to pull the Rams to within 28-17. DeLine is the son of Steve DeLine, former CSU placekicker (1984-86). His uncle, Dave, was a kicker at Colorado for three seasons (1984, 1986-87). The two brothers faced off in the mid `80s.
Permanent team captains: For the first time in since 1992, the Rams have voted for permanent team captains. Crowned by their teammates at the conclusion of fall camp, they are Kory Sperry and Gartrell Johnson (offense), Jeff Horinek and Tommie Hill (defense) and Dion Morton and Jason Smith (special teams). All but Morton, a junior, are seniors.
Strength of schedule after Week 1: CSU's 2008 opponents were a combined 10-2 in their opening games. The only teams that the Rams will face who lost their season-openers this weekend are San Diego State (L, 29-27 vs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) and New Mexico (L, 26-3 vs. TCU). The biggest win was Utah, who upset Michigan on the road; the Rams travel to meet the Utes Oct. 18.
First-time Rams: Including the five true freshmen who played today, 20 total players made their Colorado State debut: (36 of the 74 players at the team hotel last night had never played for the Rams previously). Players who appeared in today's game and played for the first time (not including true freshmen listed above) were: Scott Albritton, Jacob Biddle, Zach Donaldson, Anthony Hartz, Ivory Herd, Ryan Gardner, Sevaro Johnson, Nuku Latu, Brandon Owens, Mychal Sisson, Sam Stewart, Amadeus Waters, Alex Williams, Matt Yemm and Scott Zick.
Coaches in debut: The last CSU coach to win his debut with the Rams was Jerry Wampfler, who led the Rams to a 28-9 victory over New Mexico State to start the 1970 season.
Other player notes:
- Junior WR Rashaun Greer caught his first career pass on the second play from scrimmage, which went for 15 yards and a first down. Greer finished the game as the Rams' leading receiver, snagging eight receptions for 70 yards.
- Redshirt freshman LB Mychal Sisson made first career tackle, on CU's first play of the game, and made two of the team's first six tackles. Sisson finished with five solo tackles and one forced fumble in his collegiate debut.
- Senior TE Kory Sperry, who caught three touchdown passes and was named national tight end of the week following last year's game against CU, was held to just two receptions for 11 yards in the contest.
- LB Jeff Horinek recorded his second career interception with 7:27 remaining in the second quarter. Junior DT Sevaro Johnson tipped the ball on the pass attempt by Cody Hawkins. Horinek's returned his first interception for a TD, Oct. 7, 2006, in a home victory over UNLV, a span of 20 games between interceptions. Tonight's interception set up the Rams' first touchdown.
- Billy Farris threw his first career touchdown pass, connecting with sophomore Dion Morton on a 21-yard play with 6:53 remaining in the second quarter to cut the CU lead to 14-7.
- Colorado State answered CU's kickoff return for a touchdown with one of its own, on the ensuing kick, when John Mosure scored on a 90-yard return to make the score 21-14. It marks the first CSU kick return for a TD since Sept. 29, 2001, when Dexter Wynn scored on a 95-yard return against the Wyoming Cowboys. The streak of kickoffs without a touchdown was 285.
- Sophomore FB Zac Pauga notched a career-most five receptions. He eclipsed his old mark set in the Rams' 2007 finale against Wyoming, in which he caught three passes for 39 yards. Pauga has now caught a pass in seven consecutive games.
- Senior RB Gartrell Johnson looked impressive running behind the Rams' offensive line. Johnson led all runners with 12 carries for 95 yards, an average of 7.9 yards per carry. Johnson broke several long runs, including six totes of 8 yards or more. Johnson has recorded 95 yards or more in six of his last seven games played, including the final three games of last season, all 100-yard efforts.
- Junior WR Dion Morton hauled in four receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown in his first action since Nov. 3, 2007. Morton missed the final three games in 2007 after spraining his ankle at BYU. Morton has now caught a pass in nine consecutive games played. Morton's touchdown reception marks just the second of his career and his first since the Rams played at Houston on Sept. 22, 2007.
- Sophomore LB Ricky Brewer led the Rams defense with 11 total tackles. It is the second-highest total of Brewer's career, eclipsed only by the 12 tackles he recorded in the Rams' victory over Georgia Southern last season.
- In his first game since being sidelined in 2007 with an ulcer, Sept. 22 at Houston, junior S Klint Kubak recorded a career-high tying eight solo tackles. Kubiak finished the game with nine total tackles, second on the Rams defense.
