Colorado State University Athletics
Postgame notes
10/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 2, 2010
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TEAM NOTES
Defense: In the first half, the Rams held the nation’s No. 23 offense (averaging 460 yards per game), to just 164 yards, including a pair of three-and-outs and four punts. The CSU defense kept the Rams in the game, holding an offense averaging 44 points per contest to just six points over the first two quarters.
Injuries: The Rams went into the locker room at halftime after sustaining three significant injuries.
- RB Raymond Carter and SLB Mychal Sisson both sustained knee injuries in the first quarter. Sisson returned to the contest late in the first half and played the last two quarters. Head Coach Steve Fairchild said following the game that Carter is expected to return this season, but may miss some games.
- Long-snapper Scott Albritton sustained a knee injury on a second-quarter punt and did not return. Fairchild said the team will know more after he is evaluated in the next two days.
- KR Tony Drake then left the game in the third quarter briefly after sustaining a hand injury, but returned shortly after.
- Starting strongside tackle Mark Starr (concussion) did not dress.
Last shutout: The Rams were shut out for the first time since a 24-0 loss at Wyoming, Oct. 21, 2006. CSU had scored in all 29 games under Steve Fairchild, and 46 straight, until today.
- An opponent shut out CSU in Fort Collins for the first time since Sept. 20, 1997, when Air Force blanked No, 23 CSU 24-0. The Rams rebounded from the loss to defeat Missouri in the Holiday Bowl, capturing the WAC title and finishing 10-2 (CSU was No. 17 in the final AP rankings). The only other team to beat the Rams that year was No. 8 CU.
- CSU had scored in 68 consecutive home games, a streak that ended today.
Highest-ranked visitors: CSU welcomed to town the No. 5 Horned Frogs, tied for the highest-ranked team to ever to play at Hughes Stadium.
- Previously, the highest-ranked team on the opposing sideline in Fort Collins was No. 5 CU, who battled the Rams for much of the game before eventually pulling ahead to a 48-34 win on Sept. 7, 1996, the last time the Buffs visited Hughes Stadium.
- Overall, TCU was the highest-ranked team the Rams have played since a 49-0 loss at No. 1 USC in 2004.
Up next: Air Force, after improving to 4-1 with a 14-6 win over Navy today, is flirting with the national rankings.
- Five of the Rams’ opponents this season (Nevada, TCU, Air Force, Utah and BYU) have received votes and/or been ranked in the national polls in 2010.
Giving back: Steve Fairchild and his wife, Nancy, pledged to give 10 cents per person in attendance today to the Food Bank of Larimer County, kicking off the annual campus food drive, Cans Around the Oval. The Fairchilds’ grand total: $2,255. Coaches wives and other volunteers were collecting cans and donations around the stadium before the game.
Curbing Kerley: The Rams did not allow dangerous Jeremy Kerley to beat them, holding him to just three returns on eight punts (for 35 yards), and no kickoff returns. The Rams’ only kickoff, to begin the second half, was a Ben DeLine touchback.
Offensive struggles: CSU could not find its rhythm until the fourth quarter. TCU capitalized on large advantages in:
- Total yards (474-161);
- Time of possession (33:56 to 26:04);
- First downs (24-8);
- Takeaway margin (TCU won, 2-0)
INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
- G Connor Smith made his fourth career start, but his first since Oct. 4, 2008, vs. UNLV. He replaced Joe Caprioglio, who slid over to strongside tackle to fill the void left by starter Mark Starr, who sustained a concussion last week vs. Idaho. Starr did not dress.
- P Pete Kontodiakos on paper enjoyed one of his best games, especially considering the opposing punt-returner, Jeremy Kerley, is regarded as one of the nation’s most dangerous. CSU’s sophomore averaged 40.4 net yards per punt, and 49.8 gross yards on eight punts, with two inside the 20. One of his two touchbacks nearly was downed by the Rams on the 1-yard line.
- Ezra Thompson made his second start, at free safety for Elijah-Blu Smith. Thompson also started at Miami-Ohio.
- CB Shaq Bell, who made a couple stops on TCU’s first drive, ran off the field after the first series and was greeted first by Momo Thomas, the injured CB with whom he grew up and replaced in the starting lineup. Thomas underwent shoulder surgery Wednesday and is expected to be lost for the season. The two were raised in Kissimmee, Fla.
- Scott Albritton injured his knee on a second-quarter CSU punt. When Tanner Hedstrom snapped the next punt, it marked the first time a player other than Albritton had made a placement or punt snap since the 2007 regular-season finale, vs. Wyoming (Joey Madrid).
- DT Guy Miller has played in every game of his college career, 42 including today.
- FB Zac Pauga has played in every game of his college career, 42 including today.
- QB Pete Thomas fell 8 passing yards shy of breaking Caleb Hanie’s 2004 CSU freshman record, 1,204.
- K Ben DeLine now has seven touchbacks on 15 kickoffs this season.
- WR Tyson Liggett returned his first career punts.
