Colorado State University Athletics
Saturday, November 1
San Jose, Calif.
5 PM
Colorado State
8-1 , 4-1
38
at
31
San Jose State
3-5 , 2-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Colorado State
7
10
7
14
38
San Jose State
7
7
3
14
31
Football Recap: Rams down Spartans, 38-31
11/1/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 1, 2014
Athletics Communications
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Colorado State Rams ran their win streak to seven games and improved to 8-1, 4-1 MW, on Saturday evening with a 38-31 win at San José State (3-5, 2-2 MW). The seven-game win streak is the longest single-season win streak for the Rams since 1997, when the team rattled off nine consecutive wins to close out the year. Additionally, this is just the fourth time since 1928 that the Rams have started a season at least 8-1.
“We are figuring out a way to win and finding a way to win," Head Coach Jim McElwain said. "I’m just really proud of our guys. Obviously, there are some things we need to work on. As you guys know we’re a long ways from where we need to be, but sometimes when you’re winning you just have to find a way to win some games.”
Once again, Colorado State’s offense proved to be a well-oiled machine, totaling 403 yards of offense and scoring at least 30 points for the fourth time in the last five games. The Rams were led by a career-performance from junior running back Dee Hart who amassed 104 yards rushing and a career-high four touchdowns on 24 carries. The four rushing scores are tied for the most by a Mountain West player this season, and are also tied for the fifth-most in Mountain West history.
The Rams were just as explosive through the air going against one of the premier defenses in the country. Entering the day, the Spartans ranked No. 1 nationally allowing just 89 yards per game. They proved to be no obstacle for senior quarterback Garrett Grayson, however, as he completed 22 of his 28 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown.
CSU showcased its explosive offense right from the opening whistle as Grayson found sophomore wide receiver Rashard Higgins, who leads the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns, on the opening play of the game for a 44-yard reception. The Rams couldn’t capitalize however, and were forced to give the ball to the Spartans.
After forcing an initial stop, SJSU got second life after they scooped up a loose-ball after the punt bounced and deflected off of a Rams player. The Spartans capitalized six plays later with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Joe Gray to Jabari Carr to give them a 7-0 lead with 10:17 left in the first quarter.
The Rams responded a couple of drives later with their own 38-yard scoring drive. CSU received the ball in great field position after a strip-sack from junior linebacker Cory James. Seven plays later, the Rams found the end zone on Hart’s first touchdown of the game, a 6-yard rush up the middle, to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:11 left in the quarter.
It looked as if Colorado State would keep the momentum going on its next drive as it pushed the ball all the way to the SJSU 11 yard line, but a fumbled snap on a fourth-down try gave the Spartans the ball back on their own 11 yard line. One play later, San José State jumped out to a 14-7 lead with an 89-yard touchdown run from Tyler Ervin 13:59 left in the opening half.
“Obviously, the first special teams gaffe and I made the call for a fake field goal down there when we were on the seven, on the right hash, and it was proven that 'Kicker' is a better kicker than a catcher,” McElwain said.
Colorado State wouldn’t stay down for long, however, as the team manufactured back-to-back scoring drives to pull back ahead. The first coming on a 10-play drive that was capped by a 53-yard field goal from senior kicker Jared Roberts, falling just one yard shy of his career high.
On their next possession, the Rams found the end zone as Grayson moved the team down the field before finding Higgins on a fade route in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 17-14 for CSU with 5:42 left in the half. Higgins finished the day with eight receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown giving him over 100 yards receiving for the fifth-consecutive game.
Coming out of the break, the Spartans quickly leveled the score at 17-17 with a 21-yard field goal from Austin Lopez to cap off a 13-play drive that took 5:18 off the clock.
In the second half though, SJSU had no answer for Colorado State’s reliable junior running back. The Rams strung together their own lengthy 15-play drive which Hart finished off with a 1-yard touchdown run to put CSU up 24-17 with 3:35 in the third quarter.
Once again, San José State responded with another scoring drive to bring the two teams even at 24-24 with 13:53 left in the game. This time, Gray found Tyler Winston open on a back-shoulder throw from 20 yards out.
Afraid to kick to Colorado State’s electrifying kick returner, Deonte Gaines, San José State squandered good field position with a pooch quick which Preston Hodges returned to the 50 yard line. On the first play of the drive, Grayson faked a quick screen pass to Higgins and instead found junior wide receiver Joe Hansley open down the left sideline for a 38-yard pass. Two plays later, Hart punched it in from seven yards out for his third touchdown of the game with 12:41 left in the game to give the Rams the lead for good.
Needing a stop, the Rams got just that on their next drive. The Spartans moved the ball down the field and looked to be in scoring position, but CSU’s defense stepped up when it needed to. On third down from the CSU eight yard line, James put immense pressure on Gray and forced an awkward under-hand pass which Aaron Davis picked off.
The Rams found the separation they were looking for on the following drive with an 88-yard drive that took just 2:55 off the clock. Once again, Hart punched it in from seven yards out for his fourth touchdown of the night to give the Rams a 38-24 lead with 5:09 left in the game.
San José State added a final touchdown, a 4-yard rush from Gray, to pull back within seven points at 38-31, but couldn’t get closer. The Spartans had a final chance after recovering an onside kick, but Colorado State forced a turnover on downs to seal the 38-31 road win, giving CSU six true road wins in its last eight tries.
The Rams will look to continue its best stretch of football in over a decade when it returns home to host Hawai’i. The game will be televised on ESPNU and will kick off at 5 p.m. MT.
Final Stats |
Quotes |
Notes |
Photo Gallery 1 
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Photo Gallery 2
Athletics Communications
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Colorado State Rams ran their win streak to seven games and improved to 8-1, 4-1 MW, on Saturday evening with a 38-31 win at San José State (3-5, 2-2 MW). The seven-game win streak is the longest single-season win streak for the Rams since 1997, when the team rattled off nine consecutive wins to close out the year. Additionally, this is just the fourth time since 1928 that the Rams have started a season at least 8-1.
“We are figuring out a way to win and finding a way to win," Head Coach Jim McElwain said. "I’m just really proud of our guys. Obviously, there are some things we need to work on. As you guys know we’re a long ways from where we need to be, but sometimes when you’re winning you just have to find a way to win some games.”
Once again, Colorado State’s offense proved to be a well-oiled machine, totaling 403 yards of offense and scoring at least 30 points for the fourth time in the last five games. The Rams were led by a career-performance from junior running back Dee Hart who amassed 104 yards rushing and a career-high four touchdowns on 24 carries. The four rushing scores are tied for the most by a Mountain West player this season, and are also tied for the fifth-most in Mountain West history.
The Rams were just as explosive through the air going against one of the premier defenses in the country. Entering the day, the Spartans ranked No. 1 nationally allowing just 89 yards per game. They proved to be no obstacle for senior quarterback Garrett Grayson, however, as he completed 22 of his 28 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown.
CSU showcased its explosive offense right from the opening whistle as Grayson found sophomore wide receiver Rashard Higgins, who leads the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns, on the opening play of the game for a 44-yard reception. The Rams couldn’t capitalize however, and were forced to give the ball to the Spartans.
After forcing an initial stop, SJSU got second life after they scooped up a loose-ball after the punt bounced and deflected off of a Rams player. The Spartans capitalized six plays later with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Joe Gray to Jabari Carr to give them a 7-0 lead with 10:17 left in the first quarter.
The Rams responded a couple of drives later with their own 38-yard scoring drive. CSU received the ball in great field position after a strip-sack from junior linebacker Cory James. Seven plays later, the Rams found the end zone on Hart’s first touchdown of the game, a 6-yard rush up the middle, to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:11 left in the quarter.
It looked as if Colorado State would keep the momentum going on its next drive as it pushed the ball all the way to the SJSU 11 yard line, but a fumbled snap on a fourth-down try gave the Spartans the ball back on their own 11 yard line. One play later, San José State jumped out to a 14-7 lead with an 89-yard touchdown run from Tyler Ervin 13:59 left in the opening half.
“Obviously, the first special teams gaffe and I made the call for a fake field goal down there when we were on the seven, on the right hash, and it was proven that 'Kicker' is a better kicker than a catcher,” McElwain said.
Colorado State wouldn’t stay down for long, however, as the team manufactured back-to-back scoring drives to pull back ahead. The first coming on a 10-play drive that was capped by a 53-yard field goal from senior kicker Jared Roberts, falling just one yard shy of his career high.
On their next possession, the Rams found the end zone as Grayson moved the team down the field before finding Higgins on a fade route in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 17-14 for CSU with 5:42 left in the half. Higgins finished the day with eight receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown giving him over 100 yards receiving for the fifth-consecutive game.
Coming out of the break, the Spartans quickly leveled the score at 17-17 with a 21-yard field goal from Austin Lopez to cap off a 13-play drive that took 5:18 off the clock.
In the second half though, SJSU had no answer for Colorado State’s reliable junior running back. The Rams strung together their own lengthy 15-play drive which Hart finished off with a 1-yard touchdown run to put CSU up 24-17 with 3:35 in the third quarter.
Once again, San José State responded with another scoring drive to bring the two teams even at 24-24 with 13:53 left in the game. This time, Gray found Tyler Winston open on a back-shoulder throw from 20 yards out.
Afraid to kick to Colorado State’s electrifying kick returner, Deonte Gaines, San José State squandered good field position with a pooch quick which Preston Hodges returned to the 50 yard line. On the first play of the drive, Grayson faked a quick screen pass to Higgins and instead found junior wide receiver Joe Hansley open down the left sideline for a 38-yard pass. Two plays later, Hart punched it in from seven yards out for his third touchdown of the game with 12:41 left in the game to give the Rams the lead for good.
Needing a stop, the Rams got just that on their next drive. The Spartans moved the ball down the field and looked to be in scoring position, but CSU’s defense stepped up when it needed to. On third down from the CSU eight yard line, James put immense pressure on Gray and forced an awkward under-hand pass which Aaron Davis picked off.
The Rams found the separation they were looking for on the following drive with an 88-yard drive that took just 2:55 off the clock. Once again, Hart punched it in from seven yards out for his fourth touchdown of the night to give the Rams a 38-24 lead with 5:09 left in the game.
San José State added a final touchdown, a 4-yard rush from Gray, to pull back within seven points at 38-31, but couldn’t get closer. The Spartans had a final chance after recovering an onside kick, but Colorado State forced a turnover on downs to seal the 38-31 road win, giving CSU six true road wins in its last eight tries.
The Rams will look to continue its best stretch of football in over a decade when it returns home to host Hawai’i. The game will be televised on ESPNU and will kick off at 5 p.m. MT.
Team Stats
CS
SJ
Total Yards
403
493
Pass Yards
290
308
Rushing Yards
113
185
Penalty Yards
17
5
1st Downs
20
24
3rd Downs
8
6
4th Downs
0
3
TOP
30:12
29:48
1st Quarter
CS 0, SJ 7
SJ - CARR, Jabari 9 yd pass from GRAY, Joe (LOPEZ, Austin kick) 6 plays, 37 yards, TOP 1:33
CS 7, SJ 7
CS - HART, Dee 6 yd run (ROBERTS, Jared kick), 7 plays, 38 yards, TOP 3:25
2nd Quarter
CS 7, SJ 14
SJ - ERVIN, Tyler 89 yd run (LOPEZ, Austin kick), 1 plays, 89 yards, TOP 0:12
CS 10, SJ 14
CS - ROBERTS, Jared 53 yd field goal 10 plays, 30 yards, TOP 4:23
CS 17, SJ 14
CS - HIGGINS, Rashar 7 yd pass from GRAYSON, Garret (ROBERTS, Jared kick) 6 plays, 43 yards, TOP 2:44
3rd Quarter
CS 17, SJ 17
SJ - LOPEZ, Austin 21 yd field goal 13 plays, 74 yards, TOP 5:18
CS 24, SJ 17
CS - HART, Dee 1 yd run (ROBERTS, Jared kick), 15 plays, 64 yards, TOP 5:56
4th Quarter
CS 24, SJ 24
SJ - WINSTON, Tyler 20 yd pass from GRAY, Joe (LOPEZ, Austin kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:37
CS 31, SJ 24
CS - HART, Dee 7 yd run (ROBERTS, Jared kick), 3 plays, 50 yards, TOP 1:04
CS 38, SJ 24
CS - HART, Dee 7 yd run (ROBERTS, Jared kick), 6 plays, 88 yards, TOP 2:55
CS 38, SJ 31
SJ - GRAY, Joe 4 yd run (LOPEZ, Austin kick), 15 plays, 91 yards, TOP 2:23
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
22
TD
1
YDS
290
INT
0
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