Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State Postgame Notes
9/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 6, 2009
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TEAM NOTES
23 years to the day: The last time CSU won in Boulder was Sept. 6, 1986, when the Rams earned a 23-7 win.
- Dale Carr in an inspired effort led the team with 10 tackles, had two fumble recoveries and an interception returned 38 yards for a TD late in the game.
- Steve DeLine, the father of current Rams kicker Ben DeLine, got bragging rights on his brother, Dave, the CU kicker, kicking three field goals.
- Steve Bartalo had 145 yards on 39 carries with one touchdown.
- CSU snapped a seven-game slide at Folsom Field, in likely the Rams' last trip to Boulder for the long-term future. The last two, nailbiters in 2004 and `05, were decided by a combined six points.
Four straight wins: Fresh off a 2008 New Mexico Bowl victory, the Rams picked up a fourth straight win. CSU hasn't won four straight games since the Rams used a six-game streak, Oct. 12-Nov. 23, 2002, to capture the 2002 Mountain West title and advance to the Liberty Bowl.
First drive: For the eighth time under head coach Steve Fairchild, in just his 14th game, the Rams scored on their initial series. Six of those games, including tonight, have been touchdown drives.
On third down: The Rams held the Buffs to 0-for-their-first-9 on third-down attempts, an area in which the Rams struggled in 2008 and wanted to improve in 2009. The Buffs didn't convert until 8:05 in the fourth quarter, and finished 3-for-14 overall.
Rushing yards: CSU held the Buffs to just 29 yards rushing, an area in which many analysts thought CU would have an advantage entering the game.
- The last time CSU held an opponent to 29 yards or less was Oct. 28, 2000, at San Diego State (26).
When leading after three quarters: CSU in 2008 when leading after three quarters was 5-0, and now is 6-0 under Steve Fairchild.
- CSU also led after three quarters in the 2007 contest vs. CU at Invesco Field, and couldn't hold the 28-25 lead, dropping a 31-28 overtime decision.
Sacks: The Rams had just 10 sacks during all of 2008. They had two in the first 27 minutes tonight, and four total.
- The last time CSU had as many as four sacks in a game was Oct. 22, 2004, when it had five in a 30-7 win vs. Wyoming in Fort Collins.
Close games: Under Steve Fairchild, the Rams are now 5-2 in games decided by one score or less (eight points).
First-time starters: The Rams had seven players start their first Division I game tonight:
- QB Grant Stucker
- RB John Mosure
- LB Alex Williams
- DT Guy Miller
- DE Cory Macon
- WR Tyson Liggett
- G Jake Gdowski
Division I debut: Eleven players tonight played their first Division I game:
- LB Chris Gipson
- WR Jyrone Hickman
- DB Marcus Shaw
- DB Travis Ford
- TE Broderick Sargent
- LB Davis Burl
- P Pete Kontodiakos (true freshman)
- LB James Skelton
- OL Scott Carter
- DE C.J. James (true freshman)
- RB Leonard Mason
Tough schedule: The Mountain West is off to an outstanding start this season, including tonight's punctuation-mark victory over the Big 12. On Saturday, BYU knocked off No. 3 Oklahoma. The road doesn't get any easier for the Rams, however, as the conference's three ranked teams (BYU, Utah and TCU) stand in their way over the next six weeks.
• This marks only the third time the Rams' schedule features three teams ranked in the AP's preseason top 25 (also No. 11 Texas, No. 18 Tennessee, No. 16 Arizona in 1973; No. 14 Mississippi State, No. 16 BYU, No. 20 Arizona State in 1981).
Tweet, tweet: Steve Fairchild is believed to be one of the first college coaches in the nation, if not the first coach, to "tweet" during a game. Fairchild relayed his message, "We need to play a complete second half and not turn the ball over," with the help of CSU media relations student-assistant Nick Frank after halftime.
All white: The Rams played in all-white uniforms for the first time since Nov. 10, 2007, a heartbreaking 26-23 loss on a walk-off field goal at New Mexico.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Dion Morton: Dion Morton's 26-yard carry was the longest of his career, thanks to a nice block from QB Grant Stucker. His previous long was 25 on two occasions.
Ty Whittier picked up his first career sack.
Guy Miller also notched his first career sack.
True freshman C.J. James made his college debut with 6:18 to play in the first quarter, on the play in which Elijah-Blu Smith picked off Cody Hawkins.
Ben DeLine's 45-yard field goal was a career long; his previous career long was 36 against Sacramento State, one year ago today, Sept. 6, 2008.
Elijah-Blu Smith: Notched his first career INT, in the first quarter.
Grant Stucker: Threaded his first career TD pass through several defenders, a 13-yard connection with John Mosure to put CSU up 14-0 in the first quarter.
John Mosure's 13-yard touchdown reception was his first scoring catch since his only other career TD catch, a 21-yard pass from Caleb Hanie at Houston, Sept. 22, 2007.
- After scoring one touchdown in five previous games (two rushing, one kickoff return, one fumble return, one reception), he enjoyed his first multiple-TD effort today.
- Mosure left the game in the second half with a possible head injury, and did not return.
Ryan Gardner: Had a 43-yard reception in the second quarter, the longest of his career. His previous long was 12.
