CSU Rams Gameday: Football at Utah State, Oct. 3

Oct. 2, 2015

The Colorado State football team opens up conference play Saturday at Utah State. CSU leads the all-time series against the Aggies, 37-32-1, including last season on a field goal as time expired. The Rams enter the matchup as one of 20 teams nationally to rank in the top 50 on both offense and defense. Utah State has one of the nation's top defenses but averages just 14.3 points per game on offense.

COLORADO STATE (2-2, 0-0 MW) at Utah State (1-2, 0-0 MW)
KICKOFF: 5:04 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN3.com/WatchESPN
RADIO: CSU Flagship: KJAC 105.5 FM | KRFD 100.1 | KJME 890 AM | KKVT 100.7 FM
LIVE STATS:
TWITTER: @CSUFootball | @CSURamsGameday | @CoachBobo_CSU | CSURams NeverSatisfied

LINKS: Game Notes | Roster | Media Guide | Schedule

COLORADO STATE FOOTBALL HEADLINES
#TheGrind | Win One In A Row
#NextLevelRams: NFL update
Game Notes: CSU at Utah State

WATCH PARTIES
CSU's official watch party in Fort Collins is at The Boot Grill (130 W. Laurel St., Unit B), and fans are encouraged to cheer on the Rams with other CSU fans. In addition to the broadcast, The Boot Grill is offering several food and drink specials. For fans in the Denver area, C.B. & Potts (Denver Tech Center and Westminster locations) is hosting watch parties, as well. Other events can be found through the CSU Alumni Association website.

MOUNTAIN WEST OPENERS
Colorado State's team goal at the beginning of the season was to win the Mountain West Mountain Division and play for a Mountain West championship. As the Rams open conference play, they have a challenging upcoming slate, facing three consecutive teams that won at least 10 games last season. The three teams were picked to finish first (Boise State), second (Utah State) and fourth (Air Force) in the Mountain Division standings; CSU was picked to finish third.

CSU is 58-63 (.479) all-time in Mountain West games, the second-best winning percentage among charter MW institutions that are still in the league.
CSU played in the first-ever MW contest, Sept. 16, 1999 at BYU.
The Rams are looking for their first conference-opening victory since 2011 at New Mexico.
Including Saturday, CSU has played four of its past five conference openers on the road.

Weekly Press Conference, Parts 2 & 3

ABOUT COLORADO STATE

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Mike Bobo, formerly the OC at Georgia.
Returns 17 starters from last year's 10-win team.
Highlighted by consensus All-America wide receiver Rashard Higgins, who led the NCAA FBS for yards (1,750) and touchdowns (17) in 2014 and was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award.
The team's pass catchers lead the NCAA FBS with 7,340 career yards combined.
Ranks in the top 50 in the NCAA for offense (462.5 yards/game; 36th) and defense (343.2; 44th).
Has two running backs ranked in the top 10 in the Mountain West for rushing yards: Dalyn Dawkins, 82.8/game (6th) and Jasen Oden, Jr., 81.8 (7th).
Has won seven of its last 10 true road games, its best stretch since 2002-03.
The defense ranks in the top tier of the FBS and has produced two scores. Martavius Foster leads the MW for sacks and Kevin Davis ranks first for tackles for loss.
Quarterback Nick Stevens has a Mountain West-most nine touchdown passes and ranks second with 219.2 passing yards per game. Backup Coleman Key has also seen action in three contests.
Punter Hayden Hunt ranks eighth in the NCAA FBS, averaging 48.9 yards per punt.

ABOUT UTAH STATE

Matt Wells is in his third year as head coach of Utah State. He is 20-11, including 1-1 against CSU. Utah State won the Mountain West Mountain Division in 2013, Wells' first year.
Was picked to finish second in the MW Mountain Division, just ahead of CSU. The Aggies won 10 games in 2014.
Is 1-2 on the season, beating Southern Utah in its season opener before falling at then-No. 24 Utah and Washington. Utah State had a bye last week.
Is 2-0 in MW openers and has won 10 straight home games dating back to the 2013 season.
Sophomore Kent Myers will start at quarterback after Chuckie Keeton injured his knee at Washington.
Utah State has limited opponents to 50 first downs, which ranks ninth in the NCAA FBS, and 107.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks 23rd.
While Utah State's defense ranks 28th, allowing 310.7 yards per game and 21.3 points, the offense ranks 126th, recording just 292.3 yards and 14.3 points per game.
Nick Vigil leads the MW and ranks 10th nationally with 11.3 tackles per game.
Wide receiver Hunter Sharp had 152 all-purpose yards at Washington (74 receiving, 78 kick returning).

COLORADO STATE VS. UTAH STATE: SERIES NOTES

Between 1911 and 1979, CSU and Utah State played nearly every year, competing in 63 of 69 seasons. The two teams were both part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference from 1914-37.
The series resumed with three meetings in the 1990s, with CSU going 3-0.
The Rams' last win in Logan came in 2011, a double overtime thriller, which remains as CSU's only overtime victory.
The two teams played in non-conference play in 2011 and 2012 before Utah State joined the Mountain West in 2013.
In the 2014 meeting, CSU kicker Jared Roberts made two field goals in the final 1:40, including the game winner as time expired.
Against Utah State in 2014, wide receiver Rashard Higgins caught 10 passes for 187 yards, including a 46-yarder with 11 seconds remaining, which set up the game-winning field goal.
In three career games against the Aggies, safety Trent Matthews has 16 tackles and an interception.
Linebacker Cory James has 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in three games vs. Utah State.
In the last two meetings, CSU has limited Utah State to 11 first downs per game and an average of 225.5 yards of total offense.

NOTES IN 140

Saturday marks the 72nd meeting between the Rams and Aggies, including the fifth year in a row. CSU leads the all-time series 37-32-2.
CSU will play its @MountainWest opener on the road for the 4th time in the past 5 seasons.
CSU's first 3 @MountainWest games are against teams which won 10 games in 2014.
CSU beat Utah State 16-13 in 2014, making two field goals in the final 1:40, including a game winner as time expired.
Last year's game against Utah State was played in front of 32,534 fans, CSU's first sellout since 2004.
The Rams' last win in Logan came in 2011, a double-overtime thriller which ended on a failed 2-point conversion attempt by Utah State.
In the last two meetings, CSU has limited Utah State to 11 first downs per game and an average of 225.5 yards of total offense.
Against Utah State in 2014, #HollywoodHiggins went for 187 yards, including 46-yarder with 11 seconds left, which set up game-winning FG.
In three career games against the Aggies, safety Trent Matthews has 16 tackles and an interception.
Linebacker Cory James has 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in three games vs. Utah State.
CSU is averaging 35.5 points per game (36th in NCAA FBS), while Utah State is averaging just 14.3 (126th).
CSU is one of 20 teams nationally to rank in the top 50 for offense (462.5 yards per game; 36th) and defense (343.3; 44th).
Senior Trent Matthews is one of 11 NCAA FBS players named to the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team. Fans can #VoteTrent at Allstate.com/captain.
The #CSURams' win at UTSA was its 7th in its past 10 true road games, the Rams' best stretch since 2002-03.
CSU is out-scoring its opponents 54-7 in the first quarter, and has led after the first quarter each game this season.
CSU has scored in 14 of 16 quarters this season. The Rams' 35.5 points-per-game average ranks 3rd in the @MountainWest.
CSU's 8-point deficit at UTSA was the largest of the season. The Rams scored 21 straight points to capture the lead and secure the victory.
RBs Dalyn Dawkins (82.8; 6th) and Jasen Oden (81.8; 7th) both rank in the top 10 in the @MountainWest for rushing yards per game.
#HollywoodHiggins had 5 catches for 103 yards at UTSA. He has at least one catch in all 29 career games he has played in (9th in NCAA FBS).
Senior DE Martavius Foster leads the @MountainWest with 3.5 sacks, while Joe Kawulok ranks 7th with 2.0.
Junior LB Kevin Davis leads the @MountainWest with 6.0 tackles for loss. He has had 1.5 in all 4 games this season.
CSU did not turn the ball over at UTSA, its first game without a turnover since Oct. 25, 2014 vs. Wyoming.
Despite trailing the turnover battle 11-5 this season, CSU's opponents have scored just 13 points off of turnovers (24 for CSU).
The Rams' defense ranks 5th in the NCAA FBS with 6.5 three-and-outs averaged per game. CSU has forced a three-and-out on 44.8% of drives.
Opponents are converting 27% of 3rd-down attempts, which ranks CSU's defense 17th in NCAA. CSU's offense has converted at a 48% rate (19th).
CSU has pass catchers who have accounted for 539 career receptions for 7,340 yards (1st in NCAA FBS) and 61 touchdowns (2nd).
Hayden Hunt ranks 8th nationally, averaging 48.9 yards per punt. Against Minnesota, he had a 73-yarder, the 8th-longest in #CSURams history.
#HollywoodHiggins has scored a TD in all 3 of his games this season. For his career he has 26 TDs (school record) in 16 different games.
#HollywoodHiggins moved into 3rd place on CSU's career lists for receiving yards (2,899) and receptions (184).

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