Colorado State University Athletics
Postgame Notes
10/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 30, 2010
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TEAM NOTES
Out of the gates: The Rams' 21 first-quarter points were their most in a first quarter since they also scored 21 in the first stanza of a 42-21 win vs. Nevada, Sept. 24, 2005. The last time the Rams scored as many as 21 in any quarter was Oct. 25, 2008, when they had 21 in the third quarter of a key 38-34 win en route to their New Mexico Bowl berth in Steve Fairchild's first year as head coach.
Second half: Since Steve Fairchild challenged his players in the locker room after the Air Force loss (Oct. 9) to put the first half of the season behind them and make the most of the second half, the Rams are now 2-1, getting back on track tonight after a loss at No. 9/9 Utah last week.
Zero turnovers, by CSU: The Rams played their second game this season without a turnover (also the win vs. UNLV, Oct. 16).
Zero turnovers, game: Today marked the first CSU game in nine years played without a turnover by either team. The last time it happened was Oct. 13, 2001, a 25-22 Fresno State win in overtime here at Hughes Stadium.
Rushing yards: The Rams had a season-high 328 rushing yards, more than the 285 they had in outrushing the nation's No. 1 offense on the ground, Air Force, Oct. 9. Tonight's total was the Rams' most since they had 362 in a 40-35 win over Fresno State, Dec. 20, 2008, in the New Mexico Bowl. Tonight also was the Rams' third game of 200-plus rushing yards (also 259 vs. UNLV, Oct. 16).
2 yards short: The Rams fell just 2 yards shy of their first 100-yard rushing tandem in eight years. Leonard Mason (124 yards) and Chris Nwoke (98) nearly pulled off the feat, last accomplished by CSU on Sept. 28, 2002, at Nevada (Bradlee Van Pelt 128, Cecil Sapp 125).
With 200 rushing yards: CSU now under Steve Fairchild with 200-or-more rushing yards is 5-2, including a 2-1 mark this year (285 in a loss at Air Force, 259 in a win vs. UNLV, and 328 vs. UNM today). The Rams had just one such game in 2009, a loss at UNLV in which they rushed for 201 yards. The previous season, however, the team went 3-0, with 216 vs. UNLV, 211 at San Diego State, and 362 vs. Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl.
100-yard games under Steve Fairchild: The Rams are now 3-1 this year and 9-6 overall when a player rushes for 100 yards under their current head coach.
100-yarders vs. New Mexico: CSU has had a 100-yard rusher against the Lobos in each of the last four meetings. Last season, John Mosure's career-high 177 rushing yards weren't enough to help the Rams avoid a last-second loss in Albuquerque. The year before, eventual MWC rushing champion Gartrell Johnson kept CSU in bowl contention with 127 rushing yards on 30 carries in his final home game, becoming the first 100-yard rusher against New Mexico since his own 172-yard day in the previous meeting with the Lobos, in 2007. On that afternoon in 2007, Johnson established his career best with 172 yards (until racking up 285 in his college swan song at the `08 New Mexico Bowl).
No last-second field goals this time: Three of these teams' last five meetings (2006, 2007, 2009) have been decided with a last-second field goal. All three have been New Mexico victories. The only times in that stretch a last-second FG did not decide the outcome were CSU home wins, in 2008 and 2010.
Friendly confines: At home this season, the Rams have won three of four, losing only to a top-5 team, TCU (now No. 4/4).
Anniversary celebration: This season marks the 20th anniversary of the Rams' 1990 Freedom Bowl squad that beat Oregon, 32-31, in Anaheim, Calif. In addition, 2010 is the decade anniversary of the Rams' historic MWC championship club that beat Louisville in the Liberty Bowl and finished 14th in the final AP poll with a 10-2 record. A large gathering of former players and coaches from those two teams was on hand this weekend. The groups were recognized at a break during the game. Prior to kickoff, the groups held private receptions.
The New Mexico factor: Since 2004, the outcome of CSU's game against New Mexico has corresponded to a CSU bowl berth, or lack thereof. The Rams defeated New Mexico in 2005 and 2008, then followed that victory with trips to the respective Poinsettia and New Mexico bowls. On the other hand, CSU losses to the Lobos in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009 were coupled with the Rams staying home during the bowl seasons.
The big 3-0: The Rams are 6-1 under Steve Fairchild when scoring 30-or-more points, their only loss a 45-42 shootout at home against No. 17 BYU on Nov. 1, 2008. Each of CSU's wins this season are included in that 6-1 mark.
First drive is critical: In five of the last six games in which the Rams have pierced the end zone on their game-opening drive, CSU has parlayed that score into an eventual victory. The only loss in that stretch was at New Mexico, Nov. 21, 2009. Overall, the Rams are 6-4 under Fairchild when scoring a TD on their game-opening drive (wins vs. Houston and Fresno State in 2008, at CU and vs. Weber State in 2009, and vs. UNLV and UNM in 2010; losses vs. TCU, at Utah and at Air Force in 2008, loss at UNM in 2009).
Magic number at halftime: In each of the Rams' three wins this season, they've had at least 14 points headed into the locker room. When scoring less than 14 points in the first two quarters this year, CSU is 0-6.
Turnover ratio: The Rams are 3-1 this season when winning or tying the giveaway-takeaway margin. They were even in a loss at Air Force (Oct. 9) and in home wins vs. Idaho (Sept. 25) and vs. New Mexico (Oct. 30). They were plus-2 in a win over UNLV (Oct. 16).
Coin toss: The Rams have won the opening coin toss six times in eight games, including today. They've now won the toss in four straight games.
Inner-city kids: Jerry Browne, a former CSU player and Steve Fairchild teammate, now works for the City of Denver Parks & Recreation Department. Today he hosted approximately 200 kids from various recreation centers on their annual road trip to a sporting event, and CSU hosted the group at this week's game. The kids are all of elementary-school age and were invited on the field before Saturday's game.
Fairchild against the Lobos: Steve Fairchild as a member of the Colorado State program is 9-2 against New Mexico. In between his two prior stints at CSU, Fairchild spent three years (1987-89) as the Lobos' offensive coordinator and coached Terrance Mathis, who became the NCAA's career receiving yardage leader and was selected in the sixth round (141st overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. He led the Rams to a pair of wins as CSU's starting quarterback (1978, `80), then assisted the club to a 5-1 mark vs. New Mexico as an assistant coach (1993-2000). He's 2-1 since becoming the Rams' head coach.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- RB Leonard Mason registered his first career multi-TD game. His three rushing TD were the most by a CSU player since Gartrell Johnson had three Oct. 4, 2008, vs. UNLV.
- Mason also posted his sixth career 100-yard rushing game, his third this season, and third in the last four games.
- RB John Mosure threw a pass in the third quarter that nearly resulted in a touchdown, but intended receiver Zac Pauga caught the pass barely out of bounds. Mosure entering the game had one career passing attempt, a 23-yard TD to Pauga, Oct. 24, 2009, vs. San Diego State.
- WR Matt Yemm posted his first career rushing attempt, in the second quarter.
- WR Marquise Law kept his concentration to haul in what would've been a career-long 40-yard reception down the right sideline, but replay review overturned the call, making it incomplete.
- QB Pete Thomas now is the only true freshman in the nation to start all of his team's games at quarterback, after injury sidelined Penn State's Rob Bolden today.
- Thomas, who already holds CSU's freshman passing record, cracked the 2,000-yard barrier today. He now has 2,007. Last season, leading passer Grant Stucker had 1,874 in 11 games. Thomas is on pace to throw for 2,676 yards, which would rank No. 9 on CSU's single-season list, ahead of Kelly Stouffer's 2,604 in 1986, the fall before the Seahawks drafted him in the first round.
- Thomas (.678 completion percentage) also is on pace to finish as the most accurate single-season passer in Rams history, ahead of Caleb Hanie (.642) in 2007.
- Thomas' family has purchased 450 tickets, his own cheering section, to next week's game at San Diego State. All in the section are individuals, such as family, teachers, coaches and bus drivers, that helped the quarterback along the way. His mom, Avis, has asked everyone to wear either green or orange, his primary color at Valhalla High School in El Cajon, Calif.
- Thomas now has thrown just two interceptions over his last 163 attempts, dating to the first quarter of the Idaho win (Sept. 25). During the same stretch, he has eight TD passes.
- RB Raymond Carter returned to action in the first quarter, his first game since sustaining a knee injury vs. TCU (Oct. 2).
- WR Lou Greenwood career against New Mexico has six receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Today, he had two grabs for 54 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown. Last season in Albuquerque, he had four catches for 76 yards, and a 50-yard TD.
- K Ben DeLine with his 29th career field goal today surpassed Derek Franz (28, 1997-98) on CSU's career list and now holds sole possession of No. 6 on the Rams' all-time list. He also entered the week as the most accurate kicker in CSU annals, just ahead of predecessor Jason Smith (45-for-58, .776; 2005-08), but after missing an attempt is back in second (29-for-38, .763). Derek Franz (.757), Jeff Babcock (.750), and his dad, Steve (.724), round out the top five.
- NT Guy Miller has played in every game of his college career, 46.
- RB Chris Nwoke with his second carry eclipsed No. 10 Leonice Brown (1991) on the Rams' all-time freshman rushing list. Later in the game, he surpassed No. 9 Scott Whitehouse (261, 1984). Nwoke now has 63 carries for 295 yards this season. Next on the list is Van Ward, who had 327 in 1992.
- FB Zac Pauga has played in every game of his college career, 46 entering this week.
- LB Mychal Sisson, who has played in 34 straight games (every CSU contest since the beginning of 2008), had 12 total tackles, three for loss, and two forced fumbles.
