Football game notes: CSU at Wyoming, Nov. 7

Nov. 2, 2015

ENTIRE WEEK 9 GAME NOTES (PDF)

Colorado State at Wyoming
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 | 1 p.m. MT
Laramie, Wyo. | Johan Field at War Memorial Stadium

UP FOR GRABS: THE BRONZE BOOT
Since 1968, the Bronze Boot has become possibly the most famous piece of footwear in college football history. This U.S. Army combat boot, gilded in bronze, is the traveling trophy that goes to the winning football team every year when CSU and Wyoming square off. In the 47 years the boot has been exchanged, Wyoming owns a 24-23 advantage.

Few fans of both schools realize the history behind this famous boot before it became the trophy both schools live for each and every football season. It started as a United States-issued Army combat boot to Captain Dan Romero. Romero, a native of Colorado and 1955 graduate of Pueblo Central High School, attended Pueblo Junior College for two years before he graduated from Adams State College. While at Adams State, he met his wife and played varsity basketball and baseball.

As the war in Vietnam heated up and a draft was imminent, Romero joined the Army before he was drafted. He then attended Officer Candidate School (OCS), where he received his commission to become an officer. Romero was then sent to Vietnam for a tour of duty and in the spring of 1968 he returned to the U.S., where he was assigned to the Colorado State University ROTC Military Science Department as an assistant professor. Since he was at CSU as an assistant professor, Romero enrolled as a graduate student as expected when officers are assigned to ROTC duty.

In 1968, CSU Army ROTC cadre member Major Vic Fernandez came up with the idea of having a trophy fitting of the rivalry between CSU and UW, an authentic, battle-tested combat boot. Romero, by then a CSU Army ROTC graduate and cadre member, donated a combat boot he wore during his 1966-67 tour in the Vietnam conflict. Romero had the boot bronzed and mounted on a walnut base in 1968. The base bears a plaque that holds the history of the Bronze Boot series. Close inspection of the boot will reveal small tears and cuts – scars of battle that have remained on the 50-year-old boot through the bronzing process and 47 years of travel between the rival universities.

Romero’s son, Jeff, is a Rocky Mountain High School graduate and walked onto the CSU football team in 1982 before following in his dad’s footsteps in the Army. Jeff now is an FBI agent.

BRONZE BOOT RUN
Every year Army ROTC cadets from CSU and UW run the game ball from the visiting team’s stadium to the site of the Border War game and guard the trophy until the game is over.

This year’s Border War pits Colorado State against Wyoming for the 106th meeting (CSU doesn’t recognize the 1899 forfeit win, or any forfeit in its all-time records), and extends the battle for the Bronze Boot in its fifth decade. On Friday, the CSU ROTC cadets will run the game ball from Hughes Stadium 39 miles to the Colorado-Wyoming border on U.S. Highway 287. The CSU cadets will then hand the ball off to Wyoming Army cadets, who will run the remaining 26 miles to War Memorial Stadium in Laramie.

ABOUT COLORADO STATE

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Mike Bobo, formerly the OC at Georgia.
CSU’s first four MW games came against teams with a combined conference record of 17-3.
Has won seven of its past 11 true road games, its best period of success since 2001-03.
Has held the lead in seven of eight games this season, and is out-scoring opponents 78-40 in the first quarter.
Is one of five teams in NCAA FBS to rank in the top 25 for third-down offense (45.6 percent, 22nd) and defense (31.8, 21st).
The team’s experienced pass catchers lead the nation with 8,244 career yards combined.
2014 consensus All-American Rashard Higgins has five touchdowns and three games with at least 100 receiving yards.
Junior LB Kevin Davis has 10.5 tackles for loss, and has at least a share of a TFL in 10 consecutive games.
Special teams units are among the best in the nation, ranking third nationally for net punting (42.9) and seventh with 27.00 yards per kick return. Additionally, kicker Wyatt Bryan has made his past five field-goal attempts dating back to Sept. 26.

ABOUT WYOMING

Led by second-year head coach Craig Bohl, who previously won three consecutive FCS national championships at North Dakota State.
Enters Saturday’s game 1-8 on the season. Wyoming’s lone win was a 28-21 home victory over Nevada on Oct. 17.
Wyoming is 1-3 at home this season, beating Nevada and losing to North Dakota, Eastern Michigan and New Mexico.
Sophomore RB Brian Hill has rushed for 1,262 yards this season, second-best nationally (140.2 per game, 11 touchdowns).
QB Cameron Coffman, a senior transfer from Indiana, is tied for the MW lead (with CSU’s Nick Stevens) with 15 passing touchdowns. Coffman is second with 224.9 passing yards per game, 18.43 completions per game and a 151.4 pass efficiency rating.
Junior WR Jake Maulhardt leads the MW with seven receiving touchdowns (14th nationally). He is also second with 96.9 receiving yards per game (15th).
Junior LB D.J. May ranks 16th nationally, averaging 28.1 yards per kickoff return. As a team, Wyoming ranks 35th (23.50).
Despite a talented QB, RB and WR, Wyoming ranks second-to-last in the MW for scoring offense (20.3), and second-to-last for scoring defense (35.1).

BORDER WAR MOMENTS

CSU and Wyoming share the longest continuous rivalry west of the Mississippi, with an unofficial 107th Border War meeting on tap this week. The teams’ first meeting in 1899 was a CSU forfeit win, making this week officially the 106th meeting. CSU does not recognize forfeits in all-time won-loss records. 
The first meeting between CSU and Wyoming was Thanksgiving Day 1899 and ended in a dispute over rules. The Cowboys forfeited and the game never counted in the official record. The bad blood of 1899 spilled over into 1900 and again the two schools had a disagreement, this time over the eligibility of players. Although the rivalry continued to be cordial until after WWII, the first two meetings between the border schools signaled the beginning of the Border War.
The 1924 game never occurred because Wyoming Governor William Ross died the week of the contest. Out of respect, both schools decided not to play that Saturday and due to scheduling conflicts were not able to make up the game. Since 1929, CSU and Wyoming have only missed playing one another three times, all during WWII.
In 1949 and 1958, Colorado Field was the site of two near riots between fans from Fort Collins and Laramie. When the 1949 game ended, Wyoming fans tried to tear down the goalposts mainly because Colorado A&M fans had done so after the 1948 game in Laramie. When Aggies fans tried to prevent the posts from coming down, fights broke out and tear gas was unleashed on the crowd. In 1958, fans from both schools poured onto the field as they disputed a non-touchdown call that made the difference in the game. Again, tear gas had to be used to disperse the crowd.
CSU Coach Sark Arslanian vowed to his Rams after the 1973 Wyoming game that they (the players in the room that day) would never lose to the Cowboys again. The Rams beat Wyoming in 1974, `75 and `76, winning the Bronze Boot for the first times since the traveling trophy was established in 1968. 
In 1990, the Pokes came to Hughes Stadium as a nationally ranked 9-0 team. The Rams were in the hunt for their first bowl bid in 42 years, and needed a win to keep their hopes alive. On that cold November day, CSU beat the Cowboys, 17-8, in what has been called the greatest game ever at Hughes Stadium. CSU also became bowl eligible in 2008, by beating Wyoming in Laramie during the regular-season finale.

WINNING ON THE ROAD
CSU is 1-1 this season on the road, and since the 2013 season has won seven of its past 11 true road contests. It marks the Rams’ best stretch since winning eight of 11 in 2001-03. Prior to the Rams’ current run, they had lost 10 true road games in a row and 21 of 22.

2ND HALF OF CONFERENCE PLAY
Without a doubt, CSU had the league’s most-difficult schedules to begin Mountain West play, facing four teams with a combined MW record of 17-3. CSU’s first three games were against teams that each won at least 10 games in 2014, followed by the only undefeated team in the conference. During the second half of league play, CSU faces four teams with a combined MW mark of 5-13.

BOWL GAME SURGE
With four regular-season games remaining, the Rams have their eye on a late-season push for a third consecutive bowl game appearance. In order to become eligible, CSU will need to win at least three of its final four games – a similar situation to other years in recent memory.

In 2013, CSU also needed to win three of its final four games to become bowl eligible, doing exactly that and qualifying for the New Mexico Bowl. In 2008, CSU won its final two games after a 4-6 start to the season; in 2005, the Rams qualified for the Poinsettia Bowl by winning their final game; and in both 2001 and 2003, CSU needed to win its final two regular-season contests.

KEEP ON GAINING
Saturday against San Diego State, CSU’s first 21 offensive plays all went for positive yardage. The Rams didn’t gain yards on a play until running back Dalyn Dawkins was stopped for no gain on 3rd-and-2 with 8:51 remaining in the second quarter. CSU connected on a field goal on the next play.

DOMINANT DEONTE
For the second consecutive contest, linebacker Deonte Clyburn established a new career high for tackles, totaling 11 including 0.5 for loss. Prior to two games ago, the junior’s personal best was five. Clyburn had 10 tackles – in addition to a fumble recovery – in an Oct. 17 win over Air Force, preceding his 11 vs. the Aztecs.

MATTHEWS ADDS TO THE RUN GAME
Running back Izzy Matthews saw extended time on the field during the Rams’ game against San Diego State (10/17). The freshman rushed nine times – one shy of a career high – for 68 yards (7.6 yards per carry), being CSU’s leading rusher.

CSU became the fourth team to rush for at least 100 yards against San Diego State, posting 116 during the first half and 163 on the day. The Aztecs entered the game ranked 12th nationally, allowing 100.0 rushing yards per game.

NWOSU GETS IN ON THE ACTION
Fullback Danny Nwosu played in 28 career games before recording his first catch, a six-yard gain to begin the second half against San Diego State (10/31). The junior didn’t wait long to tally his second, catching a 14-yard pass from Nick Stevens to score the Rams’ second touchdown of the afternoon. He is the 16th different play to catch a pass this season for CSU.

FAKE ‘EM OUT
In addition to a career-most 11 tackles, linebacker Deonte Clyburn also saw his first action as an offensive player against San Diego State. Down 10 in the third quarter, and backed up to their own 30-yard line, CSU elected to call a fake punt on 4th-and-5. The ball was snapped to Clyburn, who ran down the sideline for 13 yards and the first down.

TAKING THE LEAD
CSU’s 10-7 lead over San Diego State midway through the second quarter marked the first time since Nov. 21, 2014 that the Aztecs had trailed in a Mountain West game. The streak lasted 344:25 and parts of seven contests.

WILDCAT LEONARD
Junior quarterback Craig Leonard made his season debut on Saturday vs. San Diego State, rushing twice for 15 yards from the wildcat formation during the Rams’ first drive of the second quarter. Leonard has played in four career games, and entered Saturday with one career rush for a nine-yard gain (11/9/14 vs. Hawai’i).

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
All-America wide receiver Rashard Higgins leads the Rams with 46 receptions on the season. He has now recorded a catch in all 33 collegiate contests he has played in. Just eight active FBS receivers have hauled in a catch in more consecutive games. Following in his footsteps, sophomore wide receiver Xavier Williams has caught a pass in all 21 of his collegiate contests.

BRYAN’S CAREER LONG
Wyatt Bryan connected on a 44-yard field goal to give CSU a 10-7 lead over San Diego State last Saturday. The distance was a career long for the redshirt freshman, who is 9-for-13 on the season. He has booted at least one field goal in all eight games of his collegiate career, and has connected on all five attempts over the past five games. His biggest kick, though, remains as the one that sent CSU’s game against Minnesota (9/12) into overtime, a 37-yarder as regulation expired.

FLIPPING THE FIELD
Hayden Hunt last week was named a candidate for the 2015 Ray Guy Award, which shouldn’t come as a surprise considering he ranks sixth nationally with 45.9 yards per punt. The Rams’ team net punting average of 42.9 ranks third in all of college football.

Hunt wasn’t needed through the first 69:42 of the season, but since has been called upon to punt 36 times, including four vs. San Diego State. Three of those kicks landed inside the 20-yard line, and two traveled at least 50 yards. On the season, the junior has 10 punts of 50-plus yards (27.8 percent), 17 (47.2) that have been marked down inside the 20-yard line and just one touchback (2.8).

Against UTSA (9/26), Hunt had two over 50 yards, and all four were inside the 20. His first punt traveled 56 yards and went out of bounds at the 2-yard line. Two plays later, CSU’s defense recorded a safety. Against Minnesota (9/12), Hunt also had a punt downed at the 2-yard line, traveling 73 yards. It was the eighth-longest punt in school history, and the longest since Pete Kontodiakos on Sept. 29, 2012. For his efforts, Hunt was named the Ray Guy Award Player of the Week on Sept. 14. He is a three-time candidate for the national punter of the year award.

FIELD-POSITION GAME
CSU’s has the third-best offense in the Mountain West (411.4 yards per game), and while a lot of that is due to the playmakers on offense, some of the credit goes to the kick returners. CSU is averaging 27.00 yards per return, seventh-best nationally. Four of the Rams’ returns have gone for at least 30 yards, with two going 50 or more. On the defensive side, the Rams lead the MW in kickoff coverage, with a net average of 42.6 yards.

STANDING TALL ON 3RD DOWN
CSU enters action this week as one of five FBS teams in the nation to rank in the top 25 for third-down offense and defense. Opponents have converted on just 31.8 percent of third-down opportunities (35-of-110), which ranks 21st nationally. Conversely, CSU’s offense has converted at a 45.6-percent rate (57-of-125; 22nd in NCAA FBS). Last year’s season figure of 49 percent was a school record. CSU also ranks 35th nationally, converting 61.5 percent of fourth-down conversions.

BEHIND THE LINE
CSU is averaging 7.6 tackles for loss per game, the 18th-best average in the country. While the defense’s explosiveness is impressive, the Rams’ offense line is equally notable. CSU’s offensive line also ranks 18th nationally, allowing 4.63 tackles for loss per game, and 29th with 1.38 sacks allowed per game. CSU did not allow a sack last week against San Diego State, and on the season has allowed just 11 in eight games, fourth-fewest in the Mountain West and second among teams that run a balanced offensive attack.

NO SHORTAGE OF PASS-CATCHING TARGETS
No team nationally has logged more career receiving yards than CSU, and only Cincinnati has more touchdown receptions. CSU’s quarterbacks are throwing to targets – wide receivers, tight ends, running backs and fullbacks – who have accounted for 614 career receptions (7th) for 8,244 yards (1st) and 68 touchdowns (2nd).

CSU returned its top four pass catchers from 2014 and 10 of the 12 players who caught at least three passes last season. The wide receiver corps alone has logged 456 career receptions for 6,415 yards and 50 touchdowns.

CONSISTENT KEVIN
Linebacker Kevin Davis is among the Mountain West leaders with 10.5 tackles for loss on the season (fifth in the MW, 39th in FBS). Dating back to 2014, he has at least shared a tackle for loss in 10 consecutive games. The junior totaled exactly 1.5 tackles for loss in each of the Rams’ first six games this season.

Davis leads all Rams with 64 tackles on the season, including a career-high 13 vs. Boise State (10/10). His 8.0 tackles-per-game average ranks seventh in the MW.

MAKING HOLLYWOOD PLAYS
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins has recorded three 100-yard receiving games in 2015, in addition to five touchdowns catches (third in MW). Eight weeks into the season, Higgins leads the Mountain West and ranks 25th nationally with 6.6 receptions per game. His 88.3 receiving yards per game average ranks third in the conference, while his 13.43 yards per catch ranks 11th.

Higgins scored a touchdown in the first four games he played in this season, and 18 different games throughout his career, totaling a school-record 28 career touchdowns. For his career, he is averaging 95.8 yards per game, and has 100-plus yards in 15 of them.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE
Wide receiver Joe Hansley is tied for the team lead with five touchdowns, including two during an Oct. 17 victory over Air Force.

For his career, Hansley has tallied 128 career catches for 1,735 yards and 11 touchdowns. The senior is two touchdowns, 12 receptions and 149 yards away from cracking CSU’s career top 10 lists.

IN THE (RED) ZONE
CSU is 6-of-7 in the red zone over the past two games, scoring four touchdowns and two field goals. On the season, the Rams have scored during 86.2 percent of drives that reach the red zone, good for 42nd in the nation. CSU’s defense has defense ranks 67th nationally, preventing scores on 16.0 percent of opponents’ red-zone opportunities.

BENDING, BUT NOT BREAKING
CSU’s opponents have started drives in Rams territory four times this season, scoring just six points. Boise State’s second drive of the game started at the CSU 12-yard line after a turnover, but the Broncos had to settle for a field goal after gaining just one yard. Earlier in the season, Minnesota started a drive at the 27-yard line before fumbling, Colorado started at the 35 but missed a field goal and Utah State began a drive at the 8 before being held to a field goal.

OPENING STATEMENT
CSU has made a statement in the first quarter, out-scoring opponents 78-40, and trailing just once. During the Rams’ first three games of the season, they allowed zero points, three total first downs and 65 net yards through the first quarter.

EARLY AND OFTEN
CSU scored in three quarters against San Diego State, and on the season has put points on the board during 25 of 32 quarters.

FINDING THE END ZONE
CSU’s offense is putting up 411.4 yards of offense per game, which ranks third in the Mountain West and 60th nationally. The Rams are one of four schools in the conference to rank in the upper half for total offense and total defense (408.4 yards, sixth). CSU’s 181 first downs rank third in the MW and 40th nationally.

DRIVE BREAKDOWN
Of CSU’s 28 touchdown drives, 10 have been scored in under two minutes, with the first five to start the season coming in one minute or less. More recently, however, the Rams have taken a more methodical approach, averaging 3:48 per score.

CSU scored 47 seconds into the season, the second-fastest in school history.
Through two weeks, CSU was averaging just 1:31 per scoring drive, scoring eight of 14 times in one minute or less.
CSU had a season-long 16-play drive that used 7:57 off of the clock against Boise State (10/10). The Rams have five drives of at least 5:00.
CSU’s third score against Air Force came on a nine-play, 90-yard drive, the longest of the season in terms of yards.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

Senior safety Trent Matthews set a career high with 12 tackles at Utah State (10/3), and then two weeks later surpassed it again, totaling 15 in a win over Air Force (10/17).
In addition to a fumble recovery vs. Air Force, linebacker Deonte Clyburn had a then-career-most 10 tackles. That figure lasted one game, as he totaled 11 in the following contest against San Diego State (10/31).
Senior defensive back Nick Januska recorded his first career interception against Boise State (10/10). The pick came on the second play of the second half, deep in Boise State territory. Januska also added a career-most six tackles.
Also against Boise State, senior safety Kevin Pierre-Louis had eight tackles, including his fourth career fumble recovery. Freshman linebacker Tre Thomas tied a career high with five tackles, including a personal-best 1.5 for loss and one pass breakup.
A week prior, at Utah State on Oct. 3, senior safety Trent Matthews led all defenders with 12 tackles, then a career high. Also in the game, Cory James (10), Kiel Robinson (9) and DeAndre Elliott (7) tied career highs for tackles. James and Robinson each had 1.5 tackles for loss, including a seven-yard sack by Robinson.
CSU has three players ranked in the top 20 for tackles: Kevin Davis is seventh (8.0 per game), followed by Pierre Louis (7.1; 15th) and Matthews (7.0, 16th).
Junior Tyree Simmons has seven pass breakups, fourth in the MW. He was also in on two turnovers against Air Force (10/17).
Davis has at least a share of a tackle for loss in all eight games this season, and ranks fifth in the MW with 10.5 on the season.
Martavius Foster, a senior defensive lineman, ranks 10th in the MW with 3.5 sacks. He is followed by Joe Kawulok (2.5) and Robinson (2.0).
Elliott is one of 11 players in the MW with at least two interceptions.
Junior Preston Hodges blocked a field-goal attempt against Colorado, the team’s first since Oct. 25, 2014 vs. Wyoming.

WELCOME TO THE HALL OF FAME
CSU welcomed six new former student-athletes into the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 30, including two football players. Before a lengthy NFL career, Clark Haggans (1996-99) was a two-time all-conference defensive lineman at CSU, who still holds the Rams’ career sacks record (33). Haggans played three seasons with offensive lineman Mike Newell, who was a first-team All-WAC center and four-time Academic All-WAC honoree. Both players won two conference championships during their time in the Green and Gold.

WATCHING THE RAMS ON THE ROAD
When the Rams are on the road, The Boot Grill in Fort Collins is the official watch-party location for CSU fans. Those living in the Denver area are encouraged to attend C.B. & Potts in Westminster or the Tech Center. Additionally, several watch parties take place each week nationwide. Visit www.alumni.colostate.edu for a complete list.

COORS LIGHT COACH’S SHOW
The Coors Light Coach Bobo Coach’s Show occurs every Wednesday at C.B. & Potts on Elizabeth Street. The show can also be heard on CSU’s flagship radio station, ESPN 105.5. The final show will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 24 (moved up one day due to Thanksgiving).

THURSDAY-NIGHT TV
Thursday Night Football will have to take a backseat for Rams fans. Fans in the region have two opportunities to get an inside glimpse of CSU football. Todd Romero and former CSU and NFL standout Joel Dreessen co-host STATE of the Rams on Altitude, from 6-6:30 p.m. Following that, from 6:30-7 p.m., the Rams Report is back for its second season on ROOT SPORTS.

COMING HOME IN 2017
After five decades playing at Hughes Stadium, the Rams will bring football back to campus beginning in 2017. The new, $220 million on-campus stadium will hold 41,000 people, and will be located on the heart of campus, at the intersection of Pitkin and Meridian (Hughes Stadium is located approximately three miles west of campus).

The state-of-the-art, multi-purpose stadium will have the ability to be used by multiple sports teams and will have an alumni center and academic space built in. Site prep began in May, and a groundbreaking ceremony took place prior to the Rams’ contest against Minnesota on Sept. 12. More information, including a webcam on the construction site, can be found at www.stadium.colostate.edu.

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