Oct. 9, 2010
Recap |
Final Stats |
Photo Gallery 
|
AP Photo Gallery
TEAM NOTES
Outgaining the nation's No. 1 offense on the ground: Despite playing without starter Raymond Carter, CSU
(285) piled up more rushing yards than Air Force (248), the first time the Rams have done that since the 2003
meeting, a 30-20 CSU win in Fort Collins (CSU 306, Air Force 276). The Rams have done that now only seven
times in the annual series over the last 33 years (1978-80, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2010).
But the last time they did it at Falcon Stadium was Steve Fairchild's junior season, 1978, when the
Rams went south to outgain Air Force, 240-111, in a 31-13 triumph.
Carter missed the game with a knee injury sustained last week vs. No. 5 TCU.
Air Force entered the day No. 1 in the country, averaging 373.6 yards per game on the ground.
Fourth-quarter tallies: The Rams had a pair of fourth-quarter TD drives, a 10-play, 67-yard march, and a 16-
play, 92-yard possession, to outscore the Falcons 14-0 in the final stanza.
The Falcons had not allowed a fourth-quarter point all season, having outscored opponents 54-0
entering the day.
CSU now has outscored opponents in the fourth quarter, 36-31.
Rams aren't the only team using true freshmen this late in the year: Bobby Borcky became the ninth true
freshman to see the field for CSU in 2010, increasing a number that already was the most on a CSU team
since the Rams used 15 in 1987.
During Week 5, at least seven programs increased their number of true freshmen, playing at least
one such player for the first time last weekend: Oklahoma State, Florida, San Jose State, Marshall,
Louisville, Washington State and Vanderbilt.
Sacks allowed: The Rams played arguably their best 2010 game on the offensive line. In addition to the 285
rushing yards, CSU allowed just one sack, its fewest allowed since giving up one Nov. 21, 2009, at New
Mexico.
Penalties: For the fourth time this season, the Rams had four or fewer penalties: Today (three flags), Sept. 4
vs. CU (two), Sept. 11 at Nevada (one) and Oct. 2 vs. TCU (four).
Sharing the wealth: Pete Thomas already has completed passes to 15 targets, including FB Jake Levin today.
Brutal stretch to open conference: CSU played back-to-back ranked teams for the first time since facing No. 1
USC and No. 22 Minnesota, Sept. 11-18, 2004. The Rams hosted No. 5 TCU last week.
Like 2009, when the Rams had by far the steepest three-game hill in the nation to open conference
play (BYU, Utah, TCU), CSU again draws two of the toughest teams in the conference to begin 2010:
TCU and Air Force. After hosting UNLV Oct. 16, the Rams then travel to No. 10/10 Utah on Oct. 23.
For only the seventh time in program history, the Rams played consecutive games against ranked
teams. One of those previous six instances involved Air Force, a CSU win in 1995 at Falcon Stadium.
That also was the last time the Rams played a ranked AFA squad. Greg Myers' last-minute INT sealed
a dramatic 27-20 win at Falcon Stadium.
After returning to Fort Collins to host UNLV Oct. 16, CSU then travels on Oct. 23 to Utah, No. 10 in both
polls this week.
Last win at Air Force: The Rams entered the day looking for their first win at the academy since Oct. 31, 2002,
when then-No. 24 CSU topped the Falcons, 31-12. The Rams also sought out to snap a four-game streak and
pick up their first overall win over Air Force since Sept. 29, 2005, a 41-23 victory in Fort Collins. The Rams
haven't lost as many as four straight to the Falcons since a seven-game slide from 1983-89.
Ranked teams: Since the beginning of the Sonny Lubick era in 1993, CSU has now played 37 ranked teams
(13-23 record entering today). CSU's most recent win over a ranked team on the road was in 1998 at No. 23/
16 Michigan State. The team's most recent victory over a Top 25 foe came in 2002, a win over No. 7/6 CU.
The highest-ranked opponent the Rams have ever defeated was in 1994, a triumph at No. 6/4 Arizona.
Kickoff-return TD: Prior to Air Force's third quarter kickoff return for a touchdown, the Rams had not allowed a
TD on a kickoff since Davion Mauldin's 93-yard touchdown at San Diego State, Oct. 25, 2008.
Up next: The Rams return for Homecoming, a date with UNLV and former CU assistant coach Bobby Hauck,
now at the reins of the Rebels' program.
CSU already has sold out north end zone seating.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
QB Pete Thomas broke Caleb Hanie's 2004 single-season freshman passing record in the first quarter
on a 9-yard pass to Zac Pauga. Thomas needed just 8 yards to set the mark entering the game,
eclipsing Hanie's 1,204 yards. In CSU annals, a freshman, true or redshirt, has never led the team in
passing yards during any previous season.
Thomas had thrown 71 straight passes without an interception until Reggie Rembert robbed him in the
second quarter. His last interception was in the first quarter vs. Idaho (Sept. 27).
RB Leonard Mason, in place of an injured Raymond Carter (knee), made his first start since Oct. 17,
2009, at No. 8 TCU. Mason bruised his ribs that day, with CSU winning 6-0 in the second quarter, after
seven carries for 42 yards against the Frogs' defense and didn't return.
Mason's last 100-yard rushing effort was Nov. 27, 2009, vs. Wyoming (20-119). His last touchdown
entering today was Oct. 10, 2009, vs. Utah.
RB Derek Good made his first career kickoff return, in the first quarter, and broke his teammate's
Mountain West Conference record for single-game kick return yards. Tony Drake on Sept. 11 at
Nevada last month, 242 yards.
S Ivory Herd registered his first career interception, with an assist from a Ricky Brewer hit, in the third
quarter.
K Ben DeLine, whose third-quarter PAT attempt was blocked, has now missed five PATs in his career;
four of those misses, including vs. Idaho Sept. 27, have been blocked.
DT Guy Miller played in his 43rd consecutive game. He has yet to miss a CSU game in his college
career.
FB Zac Pauga played in his 43rd consecutive game. He has yet to miss a CSU game in his college
career.
LB Mychal Sisson played in his 31st straight game. He has yet to miss a CSU game in his college
career.
FB Jake Levin, a true freshman, got his most extensive offensive playing time, on the Rams' final drive.
He caught his first career pass.
TE Eric Peitz caught his first TD since Oct. 3, 2009, at Idaho.
WR Tyson Liggett had a team-leading five receptions; three converted third downs, while another converted a
fourth down to keep alive the Rams' final touchdown march in the fourth quarter.
RB Chris Nwoke scored his first career touchdown, capping a 92-yard drive late in the contest.
WR Lou Greenwood's 18-yard reverse run that set up a fourth-quarter TD was the longest carry of his career. 
