Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
3-5 , 1-3
San Diego State
6-3 , 5-0
Football recap: Second half dooms Rams
10/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Athletics Communications
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The San Diego State Aztecs utilized a strong second-half performance to knock off Colorado State (3-5, 1-3 MW), 41-17, at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams went into the break separated by just three points, a 13-10 Aztec advantage, after San Diego State kicker Donny Hageman connected on a 54-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. The field goal was set up by a 15-yard reception by Donnel Pumphrey, who slid down and called timeout with one second left in the half. Pumphrey finished the game with 20 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns, plus 47 yards receiving and another touchdown.
Colorado State found the end zone twice through the air as sophomore quarterback Nick Stevens finished the game completing 17-of-26 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Stevens found CSU standout junior wide receiver Rashard Higgins down the right sideline in the second quarter for a 35-yard touchdown.
The Rams' other touchdown of the game came on the first play of the 4th quarter on a play-action bootleg pass from Stevens to fullback Danny Nwosu for 14 yards. The score cut the Aztecs' lead to 10 points, 27-17, but San Diego State responded with a pair of rushing touchdowns to close out the game.
On the ground, Colorado State was led by a career-best effort from freshman running back Izzy Matthews, who racked up 68 yards on nine carries. Defensively, linebacker Deonte Clyburn posted a career-high 11 tackles to lead CSU.
IN THEIR WORDS…
"It's the same song, different verse for the season. You can say it's unlikely but it's what teams do that lose ball games: Turn the ball over, missed opportunities and can't stop the run. If you can't run the ball, can't stop the run and turn the ball over that's a recipe for not having success. We were (down) 13-10 at half after all those missed opportunities. I really thought we were playing well defensively, besides that 23-yard run that got out and one of the drives enabled by penalties for a touchdown. Offensively, I felt like we were moving the ball and executing what we were calling. You turn the ball over on the one-yard line for a touchback, whether or not that was a touchdown or not the ball should not have come out. Turn it over right before half, and give them a chance to get three points was not very good execution. Despite all of that down 13-10 at halftime and we are in the game. We got beat 28-7 in the second half, and did not play like a Colorado State football team in the second half. It's embarrassing; embarrassing for a coach, a player, as a fan and supporter. Like I told the guys, what I am going to do, I am going to come back and work. I came here for a reason and I expect everyone in the room to come back to work. It isn't fun when you lose, it is not fun when you get beat 41-17." - CSU Head Coach Mike Bobo
"I had a cop route and Nick [Stevens] just threw it up. I've told Nick before, just put it in my vicinity, and I'm going to come down with it, and he did it and it showed." - CSU WR Rashard Higgins
"I feel like we did a pretty good job in the first half. In the third quarter I just felt we let too many big, explosive runs happen, even if it was just two or three or whatever it was, I just felt like it was way too many, and we can't let that happen if we want to be a good defense." - CSU LB Deonte Clyburn
"I thought we played hard, came out fast, we just had too many mistakes on offense. We had four turnovers that were critical turnovers, we had a lot of penalties on both sides of the ball. It's hard to win with four turnovers and a lot of penalties, we just need to come out, be more sound, more consistent, and execute a little bit better." - CSU QB Nick Stevens
STAT OF THE GAME…
Colorado State picked up positive yards on each of its first 21 plays to begin the game. Quarterback Nick Stevens started the game completing his first seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.
NOTES…
• CSU's first 21 offensive plays went for positive yards. The Rams weren't held without positive yardage until running back Dalyn Dawkins was stopped for no gain on 3rd-and-2 with 8:51 remaining in the second quarter. The Rams connected on a field goal on the next play.
• CSU's 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter marked the first time since Nov. 21, 2014 that San Diego State had trailed in a Mountain West game. The streak lasted 344:25, and parts of seven games.
• With Rashard Higgins' first-quarter touchdown, he now has 28 career touchdowns, extending upon his school record.
• Higgins is tied for the CSU lead (along with Joe Hansley and jasen Oden Jr.) with five touchdowns this season.
• Additionally, Higgins has a catch in all 33 games of his collegiate career. Fellow wide receiver Xavier Williams has one in all 21 games he has played in, extending his streak on the Rams' first play from scrimmage.
• CSU has scored in 25 of 32 quarters this season.
• Linebacker Kevin Davis registered a tackle for a loss in the third quarter, giving him a TFL in 10 straight games.
• Fullback Danny Nwosu hauled in his first career reception in the third quarter. Nwosu's touchdown in the fourth quarter was also the first of his career.
UP NEXT…
Colorado State will travel north next weekend for its Border War at Wyoming on Nov. 7 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The game will be televised on the ESPN Networks.
Team Stats
SD 7, CS 0
SD - PUMPHREY, Donne 1 yd run (HAGEMAN, Donny kick), 7 plays, 59 yards, TOP 3:26
SD 7, CS 7
CS - HIGGINS, Rashar 35 yd pass from STEVENS, Nick (BRYAN, Wyatt kick) 5 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:24
SD 7, CS 10
CS - BRYAN, Wyatt 44 yd field goal 8 plays, 53 yards, TOP 3:45
SD 10, CS 10
SD - HAGEMAN, Donny 20 yd field goal 10 plays, 83 yards, TOP 5:21
SD 13, CS 10
SD - HAGEMAN, Donny 54 yd field goal 2 plays, 15 yards, TOP 0:08
SD 20, CS 10
SD - PUMPHREY, Donne 32 yd pass from SMITH, Maxwell (HAGEMAN, Donny kick) 13 plays, 89 yards, TOP 6:53
SD 27, CS 10
SD - KAZEE, Damontae 55 yd interception (HAGEMAN, Donny kick)
SD 27, CS 17
CS - NWOSU, Danny 14 yd pass from STEVENS, Nick (BRYAN, Wyatt kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:43
SD 34, CS 17
SD - PUMPHREY, Donne 64 yd run (HAGEMAN, Donny kick), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:41
SD 41, CS 17
SD - PRICE, Chase 16 yd run (HAGEMAN, Donny kick), 7 plays, 81 yards, TOP 4:06
