Football Game Notes: Colorado State at New Mexico, Nov. 16

Nov. 11, 2013

THIS WEEK
Colorado State (5-5, 3-2) will travel to New Mexico (3-6, 1-4) for the first time since its 2011 season-opening 14-10 victory over the Lobos. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT. Fans can catch the action on ROOT Sports or can watch a free stream on CSURams.com or TheMW.com outside the ROOT Sports carriage footprint.
 
The Rams have five wins this season, their most since 2008 when CSU finished the year 7-6 with a victory in the New Mexico Bowl. The Rams must win two more games to become bowl eligible. CSU holds a 35-25 advantage in the series vs. the Lobos.

WHERE TO FIND THE GAME: Saturday’s game between Colorado State and New Mexico will be televised in the Rocky Mountain Region on ROOT Sports, with Mark Neely (play-by-play), Sed Bonner (analyst) and Marc Stout (sideline) calling the game. Additionally, fans across the nation who can’t watch Saturday’s contest on ROOT can watch it online via the Mountain West Network or on CSURams.com. CSU fans can listen to the game on the Colorado State Radio Network with new Voice of the Rams Gary Miller alongside Brian Roth (analyst) and Marty Cesario (sideline). On the airwaves, fans can listen to the game across the state on: KJAC-FM 105.5 ESPN, KREL-AM 1580 ESPN (Colorado Springs), KSIR-AM 1010 (Fort Morgan), KRFD-FM 94.5 (Sterling), and KNZZ-AM 1100 (Grand Junction).

NOTES IN 140 | #CSURamsNotes | #MWFB | #1TTD

#TEAM

CSU has won five games this season, its most since 2008 as the Rams went 7-6, including a victory in the New Mexico Bowl over Fresno State
Through 10 games the Rams are averaging 201.3 rushing yards, the most since 2002 (205.7)
CSU is currently on pace for the 2nd-most avg. yards/game in program history with 453.3. In 1996, CSU set the bar with an average of 458.9 yards/game
The Rams have recorded 500-plus yards of total offense in five games this season, the most games with at least 500 yards in a single season
CSU is averaging 33.5 points per game in 2013. The last time the Rams averaged 30-plus points per game was in 1997 (36.6)
The Rams have improved their scoring output by 58%, from 21.2 in 2012 to 33.5
Under @CoachMcElwain the Rams are 7-2 when leading at halftime and 8-1 with the lead after 3 quarters
Against @BroncoSportFB CSU registered 35 first downs, a CSU record. The previous high was 33 set twice in 1992
The Rams ran 109 offensive plays vs. @BroncoSportFB, a program record and second-most in #MWFB history
CSU won back-to-back road games (@WYO, @UH) in MW play for the first time since 2002 when the Rams defeated Utah, AFA & SDSU.
The Rams hung 50-plus points on UTEP (59) and Wyoming (52) this year. The last CSU team to score 50 points twice in a season was the 1997 Rams
59 points vs. UTEP was the Rams’ most since Oct. 4, 1997 when they defeated Hawai’i 63-0. The 59 points ties for the ninth-most in program history
Prior to 59-point outburst vs. UTEP the Rams hadn’t scored 50-plus points since Oct. 8, 2003 at BYU, a span of 3,666 days.
Seven true freshmen have made their collegiate debut this season (Berk, Clyburn, Higgins, Lovingood, Schlager, Simmons, Williams)
‘Colorado State’ was trending worldwide for 15 minutes during the Rams’ game at Alabama on Sept. 21

#OFFENSE

OC Weston Richburg, cand. for @outlandtrophy & @rimingtontrophy has graded above 90% in every game with 32 knockdowns, incl. 7 vs. Boise St.
SR RB Chris Nwoke ranks 10th all-time in CSU history with 2,402 rushing yards.
SO RB Kapri Bibbs has rushed for 1,148 yards, the most in #MWFB, his 6.3 avg/rush leads #MWFB RBs with 150-plus carries
Bibbs leads the nation in rushing TDs (19) and total TDs (19). The 19 rushing TDs are the most by a CSU rusher since Calvin Branch in ‘96
Bibbs set a school record rushing for 312 yards on 30 carries vs. Nevada on Nov. 9, previously held by Tony Alford in 1989 (28-310)
Bibbs broke off an 85-yd TD run vs. Nevada, the 3rd-longest scoring run in program history and longest play since ‘03 (BVP to Anderson - 86)
Bibbs also set a CSU record, registering his fifth game with at least three rushing TDs, which was previously held by Calvin Branch in 1996
Bibbs has scored at least 3 rushing TDs in 4-consecutive games, which hadn’t been accomplished since Branch did it three consecutive games in ‘96
Bibbs is tied for 3rd on the single season scoring list with 114 points through 10 games, the most since Jeff Babcock (118) in 2002
With 19 rushing TDs Bibbs has more scores on the ground than approximately 61% of FBS teams
In the past 4 games, Bibbs has rushed for 719 yards, an average of 179.8 yards and 13 TDs
CSU’s offensive line starters have a combined 144 starts, which ranks tied for 11th in #NCAA according to @philsteele042
JR TE Kivon Cartwright became the first CSU player to score multiple receiving TDs in back-to-back games (UTEP & SJSU) since Paul Turner in 1995
Cartwright’s six TDs are the most by a Ram pass-catcher since 2008 when Dion Morton had 10 and Kory Sperry had 6
SR TE Crockett Gillmore leads all MW TEs with 346 receiving yards, which also ranks 12th nationally among all FBS TEs
Against Boise State, JR QB Garrett Grayson threw for a career-high 397 yards, the 10th most in program history.
With Bradlee Van Pelt in attendance, Grayson broke BVP’s single-game total offense record accumulating 445 total yards (397 pass, 48 rush)
Grayson threw 3 TDs in three straight games (UTEP, SJSU, WYO), a feat that a Rams QB hasn’t accomplished since Terry Nugent in 1982
FR WR Rashard Higgins had 10 receptions vs. BSU (11/2), setting a career high and tying a CSU freshman record
WR Charles Lovett, who returned vs. SJSU after missing five games with knee injury, has a catch in 17 straight games in which he has played.
Lovett’s last game without a catch was Nov. 19, 2011 at TCU

#DEFENSE

Shaquil Barrett’s 14.5 TFL leads MWFB and is tied for third most in the NCAA while his average of 1.6 per game is ninth in the country
Barrett’s sack total of 9.5 is third-most in the country and he is only a half-sack from cracking top-10 single-season sacks at CSU
Barrett has recorded 16.5 tackles for loss through 10 games, tied for second-most in #NCAA
Barrett’s 13-tackle, 3-sack, 2-FF performance vs. UTEP earned him Bronko Nagurski Defensive POW honors, only the 2nd Ram to earn this award
Confirmed through research dating back to 1970, Barrett is the first Ram to block two kicks in one game
S Trent Matthews has picked off three passes this season, tying for the most by a Ram since 2009 and tied for fifth most in #NCAA
S Kevin Pierre-Louis (vs. CU) and LB Max Morgan (at UH) racked up 15 total tackles in individual games, the 7th-most single-game tackles in #MWFB.
After allowing opponents to convert 48 percent of their third-down tries last season, the #CSURams have reduced the rate to 38 percent this year
DB Bernard Blake intercepted an A.J. McCarron pass in the third quarter. McCarron had only been picked five times in two seasons prior to that point
CSU’s defense held @AlabamaFTBL to 66 yards rushing, the lowest total by the Crimson Tide since Oct. 9, 2010 (36)

#SPECIAL TEAMS

Freshman punter Hayden Hunt downed four punts inside the 20-yard line at Hawai’i (10/26)
WR/KR Thomas Coffman is 3rd in #MWFB with a kickoff return average of 24.6 yards and his long return of 84 yards is 2nd in MW
WR/PR Joe Hansley is one of three #MWFB players with a punt return TD. Hansley’s 74-yard return is the 12th-longest nationally
The Rams are averaging 15.5 yards per punt return compared with a 9.5 average in 2012
Opponents avg. just 7.8 yards/punt return after averaging 12.0 a year ago, and 20.5 yards/kickoff return compared to 23.5 last year.
.@LouGrozaAward candidate Jared Roberts averages 1.5 FGs/game, 2nd in #MWFB and 21st nationally
Roberts’ career field goal percentage of 88.9 percent is 2nd among all active kickers in NCAA FBS
Roberts’ 88.9 field goal percentage makes him the most accurate kicker in CSU history with a minimum of 25 attempts
Shaquil Barrett earned MW Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking two Cal Poly field goals (9/14)
CSU is one of eight teams in the country to block multiple kicks in one game and is 10th in #NCAA with 3 blocks on the year

COLORADO FLOOD RECOGNITION
The Colorado State football team will continue to wear a helmet decal throughout the season symbolizing the floods with the state flag displayed within a raindrop, in recognition of flood victims as well as rescue and recovery personnel. Additionally, McElwain, his assistant coaches and support staff will also be wearing the decal on their clothing. The Rams first wore the decal on Sept. 21 at Alabama.

“This is no doubt a tremendous opportunity and a great challenge for our football program to play Alabama,” he said.  “But at the same time, as The Colorado State University, it is not the most important thing we carry in our hearts.  We have had thousands of people across our state affected by the recent floods.  We are very thankful for everyone involved in rescue and recovery efforts now taking place to assist those people affected by the flooding.  We want to be sure that every individual affected knows we carry them in our heart into this game. We are proud to be The Colorado State University and carry the flag with us.”

UNDERCLASSMEN RECORD WATCH
In his first season in the green and gold, redshirt-sophomore Kapri Bibbs is living up to the hype surrounding his recruitment. Bibbs leads the Rams with 182 rushing attempts for 1,148 yards and a nation-best 19 rushing touchdowns. Bibbs already ranks as the 10th-most single-season rushing yards in program history and leads the nation in total touchdowns. Additionally, the native of Plainfield, Ill., has already set a program record for most touchdowns as a sophomore and is moving closer to etching his name in more categories in the CSU record book.

POINTS: Currently Bibbs is tied for 3rd place for single-season points with 114. The redshirt-sophomore running back is tied with Steve Bartalo (1986) and is only four points behind Jeff Babcock, who scored 118 points in 2002. Calvin Branch holds the single-season record recording 132 points in 1996. Nationally, if Bibbs were able to eclipse 123 points he would enter the top-100 for single-season scoring dating back to 2000.
RUSHING TDs: Bibbs’ 19 rushing touchdowns not only leads the nation but is tied for second-best in program history for rushing touchdowns in a single season. Bibbs needs two more rushing scores to tie Calvin Branch for the most single-season performance. Branch rushed for 21 touchdowns in 1996.
SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING YARDS - SOPHOMORE: Bibbs is 141 yards away from setting the all-time rushing record in a single season by a CSU sophomore. Bibbs needs to average only 46.7 yards over the Rams’ final three games to pass Kyle Bell, who set the record of 1,288 in 2005.
SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING YARDS: In 2002 Cecil Sapp set the school record for most yards in a single-season with 1,601 yards. Bibbs needs to rush for an average of 151.3 yards in the next three games to takeover the top spot at CSU. Gartrell Johnson III rushed for 1,476 yards in 2008 to secure second-place in single-season rushing yards.
SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING ATTEMPTS: If Bibbs can average 15.7 attempts per game to end the season, the redshirt-sophomore will enter the top-10 for most rushing attempts in a single season. He would pass Calvin Branch who ran the ball 228 times in 1996 for 10th all-time.

As a true freshman, wide receiver Rashard Higgins is proving he can be the playmaker the coaching staff hoped he would be. Higgins leads the Rams with 47 receptions for 577 yards and is second on the team with three receiving touchdowns. Like Bibbs, Higgins is an underclassman who will create problems for opposing teams for years to come and is already earning a spot in the CSU record book.

SINGLE-GAME RECEPTIONS: On Nov. 2 vs. Boise State, Higgins hauled in 10 receptions which is tied for the 10th-most in a single game in CSU history.
SINGLE-GAME RECEPTIONS - FRESHMAN: Higgins’ 10 receptions vs. the Broncos tied a CSU freshman record set in 1984 by Todd Tyrell vs. Wyoming.
SINGLE-GAME RECEIVING YARDS - FRESHMAN: Against UTEP on Sept. 28, Higgins set a CSU freshman single-game record when he registered 156 receiving yards.
SINGLE-SEASON RECEPTIONS: Higgins needs 13 more receptions this season to crack the CSU top 10 for receptions in a season. A CSU pass-catcher hasn’t caught more than 60 balls in a season since Rashaun Green caught 63 in 2008.

AUTOMATIC
Rams JR K Jared Roberts, semifinalist for Lou Groza Award, has been a sensation in the kicking game since earning a scholarship before the 2012 season. The native of Littleton, Colo., earned a scholarship just a week prior to the season opener on Sept. 1, 2012 vs. Colorado and has been one of the most reliable kickers in program history. Roberts has made 24-27 (.889) career field goals, a percentage that is second in the nation among active kickers. Among CSU kickers with a minimum of 25 attempts, Roberts is the most accurate kicker, sitting atop the Rams record book, ahead of Jason Smith (.776, 2005-08).

Roberts has only missed two field goal inside of 50 yards in his career. The junior kicker has made 43 consecutive PATs and earlier this season held the nation’s second-longest consecutive made field goal streak at 14, a CSU record. Roberts is second in the Mountain West, and 21st nationally, averaging 1.5 field goals per game and is averaging 8.3 points per game, which is fifth-best in conference.

PICK YOUR POISON
Entering the season tight ends Crockett Gillmore and Kivon Cartwright were regarded as the top players in the Mountain West at their position. Through nine games they are demanding respect nationally.

Cartwright, who has hauled in 21 receptions for 339 yards, is 15th in the NCAA for receiving yards by a tight end and tied for 38th among all pass-catchers with six receiving touchdowns. Among tight ends, Cartwright’s six touchdowns are tied for second by a FBS tight end. The native of Pueblo, Colo., is third amongst all Mountain West tight ends with 339 receiving yards. In the Rams’ last six games Cartwright has pulled in five touchdowns, including back-to-back games with two touchdowns (UTEP 9/28 and SJSU 10/12). He is the first Rams player to record multiple receiving touchdowns in back-to-back games since Paul Turner in 1995. Turner had two touchdowns on Sept. 16 at Air Force and two touchdowns on Sept. 30 vs. BYU.

The last time a Rams receiver had six or more touchdowns in a season was Dion Morton in 2008. Morton registered 10 receiving touchdowns on 51 receptions in 13 games.

Gillmore, a native of Bushland, Texas, didn’t enter the season under-the-radar like Cartwright did. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end was on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nations best tight end. Gillmore is third on the team with 29 receptions but his 346 receiving yards is the most by a tight end in the Mountain West. Nationally it is a figure that ranks 12th among all FBS tight ends. Being the bigger of the two CSU tight ends, Gillmore finds himself in more blocking situations, an aspect of his game that has greatly improved and stats reflect that. CSU has only allowed 13 sacks on the year, which ranks 28th nationally. In the middle of October, Cartwright and Gillmore were named to the John Mackey Award midseason watch list, an award given annually to the nation’s top tight end. The Rams pass catchers were the only pair of teammates on the list, a feat only accomplished twice since 2006 (Stanford).

In crucial situations, the Rams will run behind senior center Weston Richburg, who is a candidate for the Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy. The senior center has graded out above 90 percent in all 10 games and has recorded 32 knockdown blocks, including an impressive seven against Boise State on Nov. 2.

A SPECIAL UNIT
Colorado State’s special teams units have improved dramatically in several statistical categories through 10 games. The punt return and punt coverage units are most notable. The Rams are averaging 15.5 yards per return, which is 9th nationally and second in the Mountain West, compared with a 9.5 average in 2012. WR Joe Hansley averaged 30.7 yards on three returns with a long of 74 yards in Week 1, while CB Tyree Simmons has averaged 11.5 yards on nine returns with a long of 30 yards (vs. Cal Poly, 9/14). Thomas Coffman received midseason recognition for his production on kickoff returns. Coffman, who was named to Phil Steele’s All-Mountain West third team, averages 24.6 yards per return which is fourth in the conference and 38th in the NCAA. As a team, the Rams average 25.4 per kickoff return (first in MW, 13th in NCAA) and only allow their opponents to average 20.5 per return. Against Boise State on Nov. 2, Donnell Alexander returned his first kickoff of the season 61 yards before being brought down. This return was only Alexander’s fourth of his career.

The Rams’ punt coverage unit is also much improved. Opponents are averaging just 7.8 yards per punt return after averaging 12.0 a year ago.

ALL-AMERICAN
Senior LB Shaquil Barrett, a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Award, was named to Phil Steele’s midseason All-America third team and was the Mountain West’s only defensive representative. Barrett has amassed 16.5 tackles for loss for the Rams, which ranks first in the Mountain West and tied for second nationally. He has surpassed his previous single-season best effort of 7.5 TFL set last year, and crushed his 2011 total of 4.5. Barrett now has 27.5 tackles for loss in 31 career games for the Rams.

The senior linebacker’s 9.5 sacks ranks tied for third-most nationally. Barrett entered 2013 with more tackles in the last two seasons than any returning player in the Mountain West. The 2012 honorable mention All-Mountain West selection made 166 tackles in the 2011 and ’12 seasons combined, as has scored three touchdowns in his two-plus seasons as a Ram after transfering from Nebraska-Omaha.

In the home-opener against Cal Poly (9/14), Barrett blocked two Mustangs field goals to earn Special Teams Player of the Week by the Mountain West. Confirmed through research dating back to 1970, the senior linebacker is the first Ram to block two kicks in one game. In a game at Falcon Stadium in 1990, Air Force’s Carlton McDonald blocked two CSU punts and a PAT. Nationally, Barrett is the only player to block two kicks in one game nationally.

In his career, Barrett has recorded 15.5 sacks, only a half-sack away from tying for the 10th-most sacks in a career by a CSU defensive player. That half-sack will also put him in the top-10 single-season sacks.

BLOCK PARTY
After Shaquil Barrett’s two-block kick performance at home versus Cal Poly, CSU became one of 10 teams nationally to block two or more kicks in a single game in 2013. On the year, the Rams have blocked three kicks (Barrett’s two field goals and Danny Nwosu’s punt block vs. Tulsa), which ranks tied for 10th nationally.

WEEKLY HONORS
Week 1 vs. Colorado - Sophomore WR/PR Joe Hansley, Punt Returner co-Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards
Week 3 vs. Cal Poly - Senior LB Shaquil Barrett, MW Special Teams Player of the Week; Senior TE Crockett Gillmore, Tight End co-Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards
Week 4 at Alabama - Junior K Jared Roberts, Kicker co-Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards
Week 5 vs. UTEP - Senior LB Shaquil Barrett, Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, CFPA National Defensive Performer of the Week, MW Defensive Player of the Week, National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter Player of the Week; Sophomore RB Kapri Bibbs, College Football Performance Awards honorable mention Running Back of the Week; Junior TE Kivon Cartwright, John Mackey Tight End of the Week; Freshman WR Rashard Higgins, College Football Performance Awards honorable mention Wide Receiver of the Week, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose honorable mention
Week 6 vs. SJSU - Junior TE Kivon Cartwright, CFPA Tight End Performer of the Week honorable mention; Senior TE Crockett Gillmore, CFPA Tight end Performer of the Week honorable mention
Week 7 at Wyoming - Sophomore RB Kapri Bibbs Helmet Sticker from ESPN’s Mark May; College Football Performance Awards Running Back Performer of the Week honorable mention; National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter Player of the Week.
Week 8 at Hawai’i - Junior LB Max Morgan College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Performer of the Week honorable mention; National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter Player of the Week.
Week 9 vs. Boise State - RS-Sophomore RB Donnell Alexander College Football Performance Awards Kickoff Returner Performer of the Week.
Week 10 vs. Nevada - RS-Sophomore RB Kapri Bibbs Walter Camp Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week; MW Offensive Player of the Week; Helmet Sticker from ESPN’s Lou Holtz; CFPA Running Back Performer of the Week. Junior K Jared Roberts MW Special Teams Player of the Week; CFPA  Placekicker of the Week honorable mention. Freshman P Hayden Hunt CFPA Punter of the Week honorable mention.

WEEKLY CAPTAINS
Week 1 vs. Colorado - LB Shaquil Barrett, TE Kivon Cartwright, DB Trent Matthews and OL Weston Richburg
Week 2 at Tulsa - OL Jared Biard, DB Bernard Blake, LB Aaron Davis and TE Crockett Gillmore
Week 3 vs. Cal Poly - DL Eli Edwards, WR Austin Gray, OL Brandon Haynes and LB Max Morgan
Week 4 at Alabama - DB Shaq Bell, LS Tanner Hedstrom, RB Chris Nwoke and DL Curtis Wilson
Week 5 vs. UTEP - OL Jordan Gragert, TE Jake Levin, DB Kevin Pierre-Louis and K Jared Roberts
Week 6 vs. SJSU - LB Nu’uvali Fa’apito, QB Garrett Grayson, LB Cory James, OL Ty Sambrailo
Week 7 at Wyoming - LB Ken Hulbert, WR Charles Lovett, TE Joe McKay, LB Steven Michel
Week 8 at Hawai’i - LB Shaquil Barrett, TE Kivon Cartwright, DB Trent Matthews, OL Weston Richburg
Week 9 vs. Boise State - OL Jared Biard, LB Aaron Davis, TE Crockett Gillmore, LB Max Morgan
Week 10 vs. Nevada - DB Shaq Bell, DL Eli Edwards, WR Austin Gray, OL Brandon Haynes

FIRST TIME IS A CHARM
This season CSU has had two pass catchers score touchdowns on their first career catch. At Tulsa (9/8), TE Joe McKay caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Grayson and last week at Wyoming Austin Gray, who spent his first two seasons with the green and gold at safety, caught a 22-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

SCORING OUTBURST
Through 10 games the Rams have posted 335 points on the scoreboard, an average of 33.5 per game ranking 41st nationally, and a total that has increased 58 percent compared to last season’s 21.2. The last season a Colorado State team averaged more than 30 points per game was in 1997. Over a 13-game span the 1997 Rams averaged 36.7 points per game. The Rams’ high scoring average in 2013 is due to two games scoring 50-plus points (59 vs. UTEP 9/28, 52 at Wyoming 10/19). The last time a CSU team scored 50-plus points in multiple games was in 1997 when CSU hung 63 on Hawai’i and followed it up with a 55-point outburst vs. San Jose State.

Prior to this season, the Rams hadn’t scored 50 points in a single game since Oct. 8, 2003 at BYU. Until the 59-point performance vs. UTEP, the Rams went 3,666 days between 50-point games and it only took 21 days for the Rams to put together another 50-point game.

THE MATCHUP

RAMS vs. LOBOS
All-time, overall: 35-25-0
All-time, in Albuquerque: 17-14-0
All-time, in Fort Collins: 16-11-0
First official meeting: Nov. 28, 1935 in Albuquerque; CSU won, 7-6
Last meeting: Nov. 24, 2012 in Fort Collins: CSU won 24-20
Last meeting in Albuquerque: Sept. 3, 2011; CSU won 14-10
 
Series streaks: Colorado State won four of the last five meetings, including three consecutive wins dating back to 2010. 
 
COACHES CAPSULES: CSU — Jim McElwain: 9-13, second year overall as head coach
    UNM — Bob Davie: 42-40, seventh year as head coach
Head-to-head: McElwain leads 1-0 | Against opponent: McElwain 1-0 vs. New Mexico; Davie 0-1 vs. CSU

Bob Davie enters his second year at New Mexico, after leading the Lobos to more victories (four) than in their three previous years combined (three from 2009-11). UNM went 4-9 and 1-7 in Mountain West play in 2012. The program’s four wins represented a 400 percent improvement from 2011 when the school won one game; UNM had the greatest improvement by percentage of any school in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Davie led UNM to one of the best statistical turnarounds in college football from 2011 to 2012. The Lobos showed the greatest improvement among the 120 FBS schools in scoring margin and rushing offense. The Lobos improved by 25.21 points in scoring margin and 188.14 rushing yards. The 2012 UNM team also ranked second nationally in time of possession improvement, fourth in net punting improvement and fifth in turnover margin improvement from the previous season.

NOTABLE CONNECTIONS

SEC ties are prominent in Saturday’s meeting between the Lobos and Rams. Coleman Hutzler (UNM special teams coordinator) coached at Florida in a similar position during the time CSU Head Coach Jim McElwain was at Alabama.
New Mexico’s inside linebackers coach Kevin Cosgrove was a linebackers coach at Colorado State for one year in 1989.
CSU freshman WR Rashard Higgins and UNM freshman WR Dameon Gamblin were teammates at Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. Also, sophomore DB Crantston Jones played high school football in Mesquite, Texas.
CSU’s Danny Nwosu and UNM’s Javarie Johnson both attended Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.
Another pair of high school teammates meeting in Saturday’s Mountain West clash is Rams WR Austin Gray and Lobos LB Toby Ball. Both redshirt-juniors played at Wylie (Texas) High School.
Two juniors from Tampa, Fla., will meet Saturday: CSU’s Charles Lovett and UNM’s Tevin Newman.
The Lobos roster features two players from Colorado: Sam Mabany, from Denver South, and Christian Rebhun from Cherry Creek.

NOTABLE PERFORMERS VS. NEW MEXICO

In the 2012 season finale, WR Joe Hansley caught five receptions for a career-high 102 yards and two touchdowns.
RB Donnell Alexander rushed for 112 yards on 24 carries and scored a touchdown vs. the Lobos in 2012.
K Jared Roberts connected on a 48-yard field goal just before halftime in 2012. It was Roberts’ second-longest field goal of his career.
Defensively, S Kevin Pierre-Louis registered 11 tackles, which was a career-high until the season opener this year.

‘ONE TOWN, ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM’
During “Ram U,” Colorado State’s offseasons strength and conditioning program, senior linebacker Shaquil Barrett came up with the 2013-14 team slogan, “One Town, One Team, One Dream.” Often referenced on social media with the hashtag #1TTD, it is a slogan the Rams and the community have embraced.

“‘One Town, One Team, One Dream.’ So when you see #1TTD, that’s their affirmation. I think we are getting to the understanding that each one of us is responsible and as a team we are responsible for this town. We are responsible for this team, and each one of us has to carry that dream. That really hit me that, you know what, we’re really heading in the right direction.”
  - Head Coach Jim McElwain

PORTER JOINS STAFF
On July 31st Coach McElwain announced the addition of former CSU great and all-pro NFL linebacker Joey Porter as an undergraduate student assistant football coach at his alma mater.

“This is another example of reaching back into our past to help build our future at Colorado State,” said McElwain. “It’s an opportunity for him to complete his degree while he gains valuable experience with our coaching staff. We are proud to welcome one of the great Rams back to our campus, just as we welcome all of our former players to remain a part of the Rams football family.”

Porter, who has 18 credits to complete before earning his degree, was as excited as McElwain.

“It feels great; I am definitely excited about the opportunity, excited that Coach Mac gave me the opportunity to come back and be a part of the CSU family. It’s not like I never was when I left, but it’s always good to come back and be here in Fort Collins.

Porter wants to get into coaching one day and CSU is a great place to get that start. The Super Bowl champion linebacker has a great deal of knowledge that he can pass on to current CSU athletes and he is determined to make them, not only better football players, but better young men.

MR. RELIABLE
Senior center Weston Richburg is not only one of the most decorated Rams on the roster, he is also the most experienced. The 6-4, 300-pounder from Bushland, Texas, has started all 44 games of his career. A preseason candidate for the Rimington Trophy, Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award for the second year in a row, Richburg is one of just three centers in the nation with 44 or more career starts, joining Utah State’s Tyler Larsen (45) and Arkansas’ Travis Swanson (45). He is tied for 14th in the nation among all players in career starts entering 2013.

FIVE RAMS ARE CSU GRADUATES
Guard Jordan Gragert, long-snapper Tanner Hedstrom, tight end Joe McKay, running back Chris Nwoke and center Weston Richburg are playing their final season for the Rams in 2013 after having graduated with bachelor’s degrees this past spring or summer. Richburg (animal science) graduated after summer classes, while Gragert (sociology), Hedstrom (health & exercise science), McKay (liberal arts) and Nwoke (business administration) received their degrees in May.

NEW RADIO FLAGSHIP FOR RAMS IN 2013
The Colorado State Rams will have a new radio home in 2013 for football and men’s and women’s basketball, on 105.5 FM ESPN. A new play-by-play voice also joins the team this year, with veteran Denver television sportscaster Gary Miller behind the microphone, joined by long-time radio team member Brian Roth on color commentary. Roth is in his 15th year as part of the CSU football broadcast team, including the last three years in the play-by-play seat. In addition to its 105.5 flagship, the Rams Radio Network includes KREL 1580 AM ESPN in Colorado Springs and Pueblo; KSIR 1100 AM in Fort Morgan; KRFD 94.5 FM in Sterling and KNZZ 1100 AM in Grand Junction.

MENTAL CONDITIONING
Colorado State football is among a handful of programs to adopt a mental conditioning program. It is a program that McElwain became familiar with at Alabama and one that he thought would be criticial in bringing success to Fort Collins. Immediately, McElwain hired Dr. Lowell Wightman after meeting during a player academic meeting where the two discovered they shared a belief that shaping and changing a team culture requires the brain and body working together.

During the summer players go through a mental conditioning program and meet with top experts in this field. For the second consecutive year, McElwain invited Trevor Moawad, Vice President of Mindset Programs from Athlete’s Performance, to come speak to his team. McElwain and Moawad met at Alabama and have since become friends.

FREE TUITION
On Saturday, Aug. 24, the Colorado State athletic department hosted its first annual RAMbunctious Pep Rally. This event was designed to get incoming freshmen at CSU excited about athletic events as part of Ram Welcome activities. During the event Andrew Schneeweis made a half court shot for a year’s worth of tuition, paid for by head coaches Jim McElwain, Larry Eustachy (men’s basketball), Tom Hilbert (volleyball), and Ryun Williams (women’s basketball). The four had come up with the plan just days before the event.

“We’re really excited we could be a part of something like that. Our students are such a big part of what we do, and we appreciate their support of our programs. To have all those new students come out and show their excitement last night was outstanding, and we as coaches wanted to do something to show our appreciation,” McElwain said. “Andrew Showed he has what it takes to operate under pressure. We talk to our student-athletes all the time about rising to the occasion and responding in pressure situations, and what Andrew did last night speaks volumes about that very thing. It was incredible to see that shot go in.”

ON SCHOLARSHIP
In 2012, just nine days before the Rocky Mountain Showdown, McElwain presented quarterback M.J. McPeek, running back Mark Woodbury and kicker Jared Roberts with scholarships. Their hard work in fall camp finally paid off.

This year, two more student-athletes were rewarded with scholarships after strong showings in fall camp. Tight End Joe McKay, a redshirt senior from Akron, Colo., and linebacker Ken Hulbert, a product of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Joe McKay, a redshirt senior first received the honor on Aug. 25.

McKay has played in 23 games for the Rams since 2011 and is a major contributer on special teams. In his career, McKay has registered seven tackles, two forced fumbles and a blocked punt.

Hulbert is another contributor on special teams. The junior linebacker has recorded two tackles in eight career games.

“These are two guys who have really earned it. They have worked their tails off and not only do we appreciate what they do, but our team recognizes these were two very deserving guys, as were other guys. It goes to show we do reward those guys who come here and work hard and earn it. There is a strong tradition here of walk-ons playing a strong role in the team’s success and earning scholarships. We really value the hard work and commitment those walk-on players show, and recognize their importance to our team,” McElwain said.

THE NEWEST RAM
Head Coach Jim McElwain announced on Aug. 20 the addition of Jack Miller, a nine-year old from Louisville, Colo., who has been battling brain tumors for the past six years. Miller, who connected with the Rams through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, was given his own jersey with his name on the back and a “One Town, One Team, One Dream” wristband.

Miller, who met the team prior to the end of fall camp, was with the team before, during and after the Rocky Mountain Showdown, and Cal Poly. Miller is the first to greet the Rams as they get off the bus and the first Ram onto the field. Hanging inside of the Rams’ locker room is a framed No. 1 jersey, the number given to Jack Miller before the season.

RAMS IN THE NFL
Colorado State has manufactured five current players playing in the National Football League. Joel Dreessen (Denver Broncos), Mike Brisiel (Oakland Raiders), Kory Sperry (Arizona Cardinals), Eric Pears (Buffalo Bills) and Shelley Smith (St. Louis Rams).

Jim McElwain RADIO SHOW
The Coors Light Jim McElwain Coach’s Show will be hosted every Thursday at C.B. & Potts Restaurant and Brewery in Fort Collins at 6:30 p.m. For fans who can’t make it in-person, the show will air on the new home of the CSU Rams Radio Network, FM 105.5 ESPN, as well as across the state on the network affiliates.

RAMS REPORT WITH @CoachMcElwain
The Rams Report with Coach McElwain airs every Thursday on Root Sports at 6 p.m. MT. Fans are encouraged to tune in and listen to Head Coach Jim McElwain recap the previous game and preview Colorado State’s upcoming opponent. CSU fans also get a volleyball update from Tom Hilbert, head coach of the nationally ranked women’s volleyball team.

WATCH PARTIES
The Colorado State athletics department will host official game-watch parties for all of the Rams’ road football games in 2013. Taps Sports Bar & Grill will serve as the home for the Rams’ watch parties, giving fans the chance to gather to watch their team play. Taps is located at 165 E. Boardwalk Drive in Fort Collins. While they gather to watch the games, fans also contribute to the well-being of CSU   student-athletes, as 10 percent of each bill goes back to the CSU Athletics general scholarship fund.

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