Colorado State University Athletics
CSU football camp blog: Practice 6
8/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2010
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By Stuart Buchanan
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – On Monday morning the offense came out in strong fashion during the “live” scrimmage and walked off the field victorious after a 21-14 win over the defense, using the coaches modified scoring system. Tuesday was another story.
In the second 15-play scrimmage in as many days, the defense routed the offense, 18-3.
“We practiced how bad football teams practice today,” Head Coach Steve Fairchild said. “We let one get away. We just got to see if we have the leadership in that locker room to come out and get some work done this afternoon.”
The victory by the defense was led by the defensive line, which maintained constant pressure on the quarterbacks, and also a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown by redshirt freshman Ezra Thompson. Thompson stepped in front of a crossing route, got a cut-back block, and high-stepped his way into the end zone.
Although the offensive stats were nothing to write home about, with Pete Thomas going 2-for-4 for 2 yards, and Nico Ranieri throwing 0-for-3, the ground game showed signs of promise on a bad morning. Junior Derek Good broke a 40-yard run up the sideline before being tripped up by the last defender between him and the end zone.
The Rams will be back on the field Tuesday afternoon at 4, to complete their first day with multiple practices this fall.
Return help: Former Ram Dexter Wynn, who still holds the CSU record for season kickoff-return average (29.3 in 2000), and longest kickoff return (100 yards in 2000), was at practice Tuesday morning.
Richburg update: It appears another freshman is rivaling Bobby Borcky’s record for most positions in a fall camp. Tuesday morning, redshirt freshman Weston Richburg was back taking snaps at center for the first-team offense., after lining up at guard Monday. Fairchild and offensive coordinator Pat Meyer are looking for the best candidate to replace three-year starter Tim Walter, now with the Chicago Bears.
“Somebody has to earn it,” Fairchild said. “We’ve got some combinations in there. Connor (Smith) is playing a little bit in there, Ty (Sambrailo) playing a little bit in there. That’s one where I just want to see what they do over a period of time.”
Big plays: During a “thud” drill, freshman linebacker Mike Orakpo intercepted a tipped pass and returned it for what would have been a touchdown.
Late into practice, during another “thud” period, senior safety Travis Ford had two picks in three plays, the first he returned for 20 yards, the other a diving interception.
The first offensive spark of the day came early into the practice when freshman Tony Drake caught a pass in the flat and used his lightning speed to weave in and out of the defense on his way to a 55-yard touchdown. Freshman receiver Thomas Coffman showed glimpses of former Ram David Anderson’s play-making ability, grabbing two diving catches that looked near impossible to reel in.
New face at DE: Freshman Crockett Gillmore has been moved to defensive end, a position that has been hit with injuries.
“He looks like a very talented kid to me, so we’ll give him a look over there,” Fairchild said.
Other quotes from Fairchild after Tuesday morning’s practice...
On defensive end issues: “Obviously we’d like to have (Zach) Tiedgen and C.J. (James) but that’s the nature of this game. Usually some guys step up and play. It’s an opportunity a little sooner for somebody to show what they can do.”
On how important the defensive end position is: “You look around here when we were winning championships we had some guys up front. We’re getting better there and we just got to keep going.”
On guys new to the defensive end position:”I like what they are doing. They bring a little athleticism. They’re still learning but they should keep getting better.”
On quarterback situation: “I’m still waiting for somebody to play. We’ve had poor quarterback play in the last three or four practices. So hopefully somebody is going to step up and take the job.”
On Klay Kubiak being a possibility: “Anybody is a possibility right now, I mean anybody. We may go find somebody off the street to play.”
