Colorado State University Athletics
CSU football camp blog: Practice 13
8/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 15, 2011
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By Zak Gilbert
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - There's a new T-shirt circulating around the CSU football program.
A modest, light gray shirt with the Rams logo on the chest, it features one prominent word on the right sleeve: Compete.
Since Steve Fairchild arrived as head coach in 2008, every camp - fall or spring - has featured fierce competition. But this fall, competition for jobs seems at an all-time high. And that competition isn't restricted to the football field.
Sunday night, it spilled over onto the bowling alley, at Chipper's Lanes in Fort Collins. And the defense, on the strength of Mychal Sisson's 178, took the honors. Monday afternoon, before the Rams officially finished their 13th of 29 preseason practices, the defense got its reward, a front-row seat as the white-shirted offense - including coaches - ran gassers.
Albritton signed by Texans: The top bowler last season was Scott Albritton, CSU's long-snapper, who went 232-for-232 on his career snaps before sustaining a torn ACL vs. TCU Oct. 2.
The player waited patiently during the NFL lockout, and the first couple weeks of training camps, and on Sunday landed with the Houston Texans, who had been using former CSU player Joel Dreessen in the role. Albritton's new team is in action Monday night against Rex Ryan and the New York Jets. He joins Zac Pauga and Guy Miller as undrafted CSU free agents on the Texans roster.
Kawulok makes community appearance: Linebacker Michael Kawulok, who sustained an ACL injury in the spring and will use his available redshirt year this season, isn't listed on the program's 105-man fall camp roster. That doesn't mean, however, he isn't an important part of the program.
Not only is he filling a significant role as a 10th assistant coach, helping Shaquil Barrett learn Kawulok's position as a middle linebacker, but the senior also represents the Rams in the community.
On Monday, Kawulok stopped by the Open Door Mission in Old Town Fort Collins to donate on behalf of the CSU football program towels, soap and shampoo. He also helped serve lunch.
Colorado State is believed to be the only football program in the country with 100 percent of its players required to make three annual appearances in the community. The Rams' Community Service Initiative began last season and is organized mostly by group captains, charged with organizing logistics of each visit and keeping teammates accountable for their appearance.
Davis working with No. 2 defense: The Rams' true-freshman wide receivers, Lee Clubb and Charles Lovett, have taken most the publicity for their class this fall, especially after Fairchild said last week they would play this year. Running backs Donnell Alexander and Davon Riddick also are battling to avoid the redshirt year.
But on the other side of the ball, a name quietly working his way up the depth chart is Aaron Davis. The 6-foot, 192-pound linebacker from La Quinta, Calif., is working with the No. 2 defense at outside linebacker, next to Barrett and Max Morgan. He led the team in Saturday's first major fall scrimmage with four tackles.
Injuries: Offensive lineman Jared Biard and defensive end Ross Heath both left practice with knee injuries.
Familiar face: Offensive lineman Scott Benedict made an appearance at Monday's practice. A four-year letterman (2006-09), he currently works for the City of Aurora (Colo.), in his hometown.
Playlist 1980s: Monday afternoon's playlist featured 1980s songs, including ballads by Guns `n' Roses and Michael Jackson.
On tap: The Rams will practice just once on Tuesday, a 1 p.m. session in full pads on the intramural fields south of the softball stadium. Each year, CSU gives its main practice fields a break by shifting to the adjacent intramural grass.
