Colorado State University Athletics
Rams continue preparations for season opener, practice pregame routine
8/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 27, 2009
By Stuart Buchanan
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo.- The Rams were out at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium for a 5 p.m. practice on Thursday night.
Head Coach Steve Fairchild purposely scheduled the later practice so that the team would get a feel for what the game against Colorado, a 5 p.m. kickoff, will be like. The Rams also walked through pregame routines such as stretching and individual drills.
Thursday night’s workout was the first of two stadium practice this week. Fairchild has high expectations for the team’s next trip to the stadium on Saturday.
“I want Saturday to be perfect,” Fairchild said. “From warm-ups to conditioning, I want it to be perfect.”
Freshman Pete Kontodiakos was nothing short of spectacular with Thursday’s punts. Kontodiakos punted the ball 55 yards two times in a row, with the first punt hanging in the air for well over 4.5 seconds.
Grant Stucker and Jon Eastman continued to make it tough for Fairchild to pick a starter, as they both had great plays in the 16-play live period.
During the period Stucker completed three of his four attempts for 81 yards and a touchdown, his longest completion being a 50-yard touchdown strike to Rashaun Greer.
Eastman also only threw one incompletion as he connected on two of his three passes. His longest pass was to Byron Steele for a 39-yard gain.
Fairchild also said he felt good about how the running backs were carrying the football and blocking.
On Friday the Rams will be using the Indoor Practice Facility. Fairchild said he mainly wants to simulate crowd noise while practicing indoors, so Colorado State can prepare for the season opener in front of nearly 54,000 fans. Due to space limitations, the workout is closed to the public.
