Colorado State University Athletics
Postgame Notes
9/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 26, 2009
Recap | Final Stats
TEAM NOTES
First quarter: The deflected interception on the Rams' first offensive series marked CSU's first turnover since a third-quarter interception vs. Weber State (Sept. 12). It led to the first points the Rams have allowed in the first quarter this season. CSU entered the game having outscored opponents 38-0 in the first period.
Blocked punt: In a first half that eerily resembled CSU's loss at Cal on Sept. 27, 2008, the Rams allowed a blocked punt today for the first time since that game at Cal.
Consecutive road wins: After a resounding win at Colorado in Boulder to open the season, Sept. 6, the Rams entered the day with an opportunity to claim consecutive victories in enemy stadiums (during the same season) for the first time since Sept. 6 and Oct. 8, 2003, at Cal and at BYU, respectively. The Rams that season played four straight home contests in between those two road victories.
- Over a longer stretch, CSU actually entered the day having won two straight true road games, including the Nov. 22 regular-season finale at Wyoming.
- The last time CSU won as many as three straight in enemy stadiums was an impressive five consecutive road victories from Oct. 19, 2002, to Oct. 8, 2003 (wins at Utah, Air Force, San Diego State, Cal and BYU).
Longest winning streak in MWC: At least three of the nation's seven longest winning streaks (Southern Miss, Mississippi and Cal) came to an end this weekend. CSU entered with the country's seventh-longest active winning streak.
- CSU's six-game streak entering the week is its longest since Oct. 12-Nov. 23, 2002, another six-game streak in which the Rams used to capture the 2002 MWC title and advance to the Liberty Bowl.
- Longest winning streaks in the Football Bowl Subdivision, entering the weekend:
Strk School Conference Last loss 13 Florida Southeastern Mississippi, 9/27/08 8 Southern Miss Conference USA Memphis, 10/25/08 8 Mississippi Southeastern Alabama, 10/18/08 7 Iowa Big Ten Illinois, 11/1/08 7 Texas Big 12 Texas Tech, 11/1/08 7 Cal Pac-10 Oregon State, 11/15/08 6 Colorado State Mountain West Air Force, 11/8/08
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Dion Morton: Caught a second-quarter touchdown, the 13th scoring reception of his career, to tie No. 8 Pete Rebstock, Frank Rice and J.D. Brookhart on the school's all -time list. Morton also drew three first-half pass interference calls.
Chris Gipson: Made his first career start, at the "mike" linebacker position, in place of Alex Williams (knee), injured on the game-opening kickoff. Gipson played the entire game, and picked up his first career sack. He also registered a fourth-quarter sack.
Tyson Liggett: Caught a first-quarter pass to move the chains for 17 yards, the longest reception of his young career. His total receptions and yards today also were career bests. He had three career catches entering today, one in each of three games last season.
- Liggett, a walk-on from Limon, Colo., surpassed his career long with big 19- and 21-yard receptions in the third quarter.
Shelley Smith: CSU's Lombardi Award candidate, made his 2009 debut, having worked his way back from a preseason ankle injury, on the Rams' third series, in the first quarter.
Leonard Mason: Scored his first Division I touchdown, pulling the Rams to within two touchdowns in the third quarter.
Lou Greenwood: Returned his first career kickoff, in the third quarter.
Matt Yemm: Made his first career reception, an 18-yard gain to give the Rams some much-needed momentum early in the second quarter.
Grant Stucker: Entered the game with an opportunity to be the first quarterback in CSU history to win his first four games. Prior to Stucker this season, the only previous Rams field general to win his first three was Matt Newton, the last quarterback Steve Fairchild coached before leaving for the NFL after the 2000 season. Newton won his debut in 1998, then won his first two starts in 1999, over No. 14 Colorado (in Denver) and over Nevada in Fort Collins. Then, with the Rams ranked No. 23 in the AP poll, Newton lost his fourth career start, at No. 25 BYU, in 1999.
Grant Stucker: Didn't see a ball hit the ground over his first six attempts. He was 5-for-his-first-6, with his only incompletion a deflected INT that set up BYU's first touchdown.
Gerard Thomas: Returned to action after missing last week's win vs. Nevada with a knee injury, sustained the week prior vs. Weber State. Thomas and BYU's O'Neill Chambers are cousins.
