Game Notes: CSU football vs. Utah State, Oct. 8

Oct. 3, 2016

ENTIRE WEEK 6 GAME NOTES (PDF)

Colorado State vs. Utah State
Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 | 8:02 p.m. MT
Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium | Fort Collins, Colo.

TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KARS 102.9 FM / KDCO 104.7 FM & 1340 AM
Live Stats
In-Game Twitter Updates

RAMS SET TO HOST UTAH STATE
The Rams and Aggies will face off for the sixth season in a row, with Utah State holding a 3-2 advantage during that span. Overall, however, the Rams lead the series, 37-33-2, including 17-14-1 in Fort Collins. CSU won the most-recent meeting at Hughes Stadium, kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired. Utah State joined the Mountain West in 2013.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES VS. THE AGGIES

CSU won the last time Utah State visited Fort Collins, which also was the Rams’ homecoming game. K Jared Roberts nailed two 46-yard field goals in the final 2 minutes to tie the game and give the Rams the lead in front of their first sellout crowd in more than a decade.
In that game, 22 current Rams saw action.
In last year’s matchup in Logan, LBs Kiel Robinson (8 tackles, 1.0 sack), Kevin Davis (6 tackles, 1.5 TFL) and Tre Thomas (5 tackles) had strong defensive performances.
In three contests vs. Utah State, Hayden Hunt has punted 20 times, including a 61-yarder last season.

HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND
The 102nd annual Colorado State University Homecoming & Family Weekend will take place this week, beginning Friday with the community parade and Festival on the Oval – including a pep rally, bonfire and lighting of the A. Saturday morning will begin with the Homecoming 5K run, and continue with the Rams’ football game against Utah State. For more, visit homecoming.colostate.edu.

HOMECOMING HISTORY
The first homecoming was established by former CSU president Dr. Charles Lory in 1914 to bring alumni back to the campus at least once a year. On Oct. 3, 1914, a football team made up of alumni players faced the varsity team; the alumni won, 3-0. The game was designed as a preseason scrimmage that was meant to bring former students and players back to the campus and have alumni involved with their old college after graduation. The alumni vs. varsity tradition lasted only a few years at homecoming, and later moved to spring.

No intercollegiate homecoming games were found in newspaper files until 1922, which is when the tradition of playing the annual contest during the regular football season began. Except for WWII, the homecoming game has been played continuously since then.

There have been 92 homecoming games played since 1922. CSU has a 47-44-1 record on homecoming day with a lone tie in 1951 against Utah State. CSU has played Utah State 18 times on homecoming, more than any other school. The last time was in 2014 with CSU winning on a last-second field goal. Six homecoming games have been played in the month of September, 69 in the month of October and 17 in the month of November.

ABOUT COLORADO STATE

Under the direction of second-year head coach Mike Bobo, who previously spent 14 seasons at Georgia, including the final 8 as OC.
2015 Ray Guy Award finalist Hayden Hunt, an All-America P, has 8 punts of at least 50 yards and 11 inside opponents’ 20-yard line.
After starting 3 different QBs in 3 weeks, freshman Collin Hill has emerged after becoming 1 of 2 CSU QBs to have 2 300-plus passing games as a freshman. He is 61-of-104 for 893 yards and 6 touchdowns.
DB Braylin Scott is 1 of 20 FBS players with at least 3 interceptions on the season.
LB Kevin Davis is the only FBS player with 50 tackles, 3.0 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
LB Josh Watson is averaging 11.67 tackles over the past 3 games.
CSU is 16-of-17 when reaching the red zone.
7 of 12 touchdowns have been scored by players not on last year’s roster.
24 players have made their CSU debuts so far this season, including 8 true freshmen.
CSU has played in 3 consecutive bowl games.

ABOUT UTAH STATE

Matt Wells is in his 4th season at his alma mater, leading the Aggies to a 27-19 record, including 3 wins over ranked teams.
4 players earned Preseason All-Mountain West honors in July: DE Ricky Ali’ifua, NG Travis Seefeldt, OT Jake Simonich and C Austin Stephens.
USU’s defense is allowing just 346.8 total yards per game, 2nd in the Mountain West and 30th nationally.
QB Kent Myers leads the Mountain West (27th in FBS) with 21 completions per game and ranks 2nd for total offense and 3rd for completion percentage.
Utah State has turned the ball over just 4 times this season and has a +0.40 turnover margin. Dallin Leavitt is tied for 2nd in the MW with 2 interceptions.
While the Aggies’ defense ranks among the league’s best, their scoring offense and rushing offense ranks second to last.
Utah State has played in 5 consecutive bowl games, and advanced to the conference championship game in 2013.

CLIMBING THE HILL
Freshman QB Collin Hill had a career night vs. Wyoming (10/1), passing for 370 yards. He completed 23-of-41 passes, including a touchdown and interception. In three career starts, Hill is averaging 289 passing yards per game.

His 14.64 passing yards per completion ranks 18th nationally, while his 146.0 passing efficiency ranks 49th and his 223.3 passing yards per game ranks 55th – despite not playing the majority of the Rams’ contest vs. UTSA. Additionally, he is one of two CSU quarterbacks (Pete Thomas, 2010) to ever have two 300-plus passing games as a freshman.

#STALWARTSELLOUT
A standing-room-only crowd of 33,500 packed Hughes Stadium for the venue’s final Border War (10/1). The crowd was the 11th-largest in school history, and largest since 2004. The sellout was CSU’s fifth in its last 13 games; prior to that stretch, CSU didn’t record a sellout in more than a decade.

NEW TARGETS
Of CSU’s 14 touchdowns this season, seven have been scored by players who were not on the Rams’ roster a year ago, including two apiece by freshman RB Marvin Kinsey, Jr. and junior college WRs Detrich Clark and Michael Gallup.

Additionally, several other players to find the end zone are beginning to contribute in a scoring capacity for the first time:

WR Marcus Wilson, a converted safety who made his collegiate debut in the season opener, caught his first career pass for a touchdown vs. Colorado.
WR Robert Ruiz, who missed last season with an injury and had zero career receptions entering 2016, hauled in a pass vs. Northern Colorado.
Senior TE Nolan Peralta scored his first career touchdown vs. Wyoming. He entered the game with eight career receptions.
WRs Olabisi Johnson and Elroy Masters, Jr. each scored their second career touchdowns, hauling in passes vs. Northern Colorado.

All seven touchdown passes have been thrown by newcomers.

SEEING RED
CSU scored touchdowns the first two times it reached the red zone vs. Wyoming (10/1), extending its streak to begin the season to a perfect 16-for-16 (12 touchdowns, 4 field goals).

The Rams’ streak ended in the third quarter when they couldn’t score after having 1st-and-goal from the 10. Following a four-yard rush on first down, CSU threw incompletions on second and third down, before missing a 24-yard field goal.

WATSON GETS THE MESSAGE
After recording just a single tackle in the season opener vs. Colorado (9/2), starting linebacker Josh Watson was told by defensive coordinator Marty English that he would need to earn his starting job back. Junior Patrick Elsenbast started in Watson’s place in Week 2 vs. UTSA (9/10), but while splitting snaps with Elsenbast, Watson proved he belonged in the starting lineup again, posting eight tackles including a half sack.

Starting again vs. Northern Colorado (9/17), Watson set a career high with 10 stops, two being for lost yards. That total lasted one week, as he posted 12 at Minnesota (9/24) – again with two tackles for lost yards – and a dozen again vs. Wyoming (10/1). Over the past three games, he is averaging 11.67 tackles.

His biggest plays over the past two games both resulted in lost yardage. Late in the first half at Minnesota, the Gophers had 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line. On first down, Watson and senior LB Kevin Davis stuffed Minnesota RB Rodney Smith for no gain, and after a 1-yard loss on second down, Watson tackled QB Mitch Leidner for a seven-yard loss on third down, forcing the Gophers into a field goal. Against Wyoming, Watson and LB Evan Colorito sacked Cowboys’ QB Josh Allen for an eight-yard loss on third and goal, forcing the Pokes to kick a field goal.

COSTLY TURNOVERS
CSU’s season turnover margin of minus-4 isn’t where the Rams want it to be, but it’s five turnovers better than it was at this point last season, and also includes a game vs. UTSA (9/10) in which the Rams did not lose the ball at all. The problem, however, is the result of the turnovers. Opponents have scored 44 points off of the Rams’ nine miscues, including 10 in a seven-point loss at Minnesota (9/24) and 14 vs. Wyoming (10/1). CSU has scored seven points off of opponents’ five turnovers.

HOME SWEET HOME
CSU’s Border War loss to Wyoming (10/1) snapped its three-game home winning streak dating back to 2015. All-time, the Rams are 141-112 (.557) at Hughes Stadium, winning 13 of their last 17 games dating back to the 2013 season.

NWOSU STEPS UP
Senior TE Danny Nwosu, who entered the game with seven career receptions for 79 yards, had a team-most six catches for 68 yards, including three consecutive catches during a second-half drive. The first came on third-and-long, with his diving extension keeping the drive alive.

BRAYLIN THE BALL MAGNET
Four weeks into the 2016 season, sophomore DB Braylin Scott was one of 10 players nationally with three interceptions – including the only player in the nation to pick off a pass in three consecutive games. Scott’s first career interception came late in the Rams’ victory over UTSA (9/10), ending the Roadrunners’ last-minute drive and sealing CSU’s victory. A week later vs. Northern Colorado (9/17), Scott ended the Bears’ opening drive with an interception that was returned 36 yards and led to a CSU touchdown. He recorded his third pick with 53 seconds left in the first half at Minnesota (9/24).

HUNT CAN PUNT
All-America P Hayden Hunt, a 2015 finalist for the Ray Guy Award, continues to impress when the Rams need to flip the field. It happened seven times against UTSA (9/10), with Hunt averaging 46.7 yards per boot, placing five inside the Roadrunners’ 20-yard line and two inside the 10. A pair of punts went 50-plus yards, including a 59-yarder that went out of bounds on the fly at the 6-yard line. For his performance, he was named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week – his second career weekly honor. Against Northern Colorado, he was needed just once – on the Rams’ first drive of the game – but it was perhaps his best punt of the season, traveling 51 yards and touching down at the 2-yard line before bouncing up, being fielded by a teammate and marked down at the 1.

On the season, Hunt’s 44.4 net punting average ranks 19th in the NCAA FBS. Of his 24 punts, eight have traveled 50-plus yards, 11 have been marked down inside opponents’ 20-yard line, seven have been fair caught and just one has been a touchback.

As a junior in 2015, he ranked fifth nationally, averaging 46.0 yards per punt, while the Rams’ team net punting average of 42.0 ranked fourth in all of college football. Of Hunt’s 52 punts as a junior, 15 went at least 50 yards (28.8%), 24 (46.2%) were marked down inside the 20-yard line, 18 were fair caught (34.6%) and just one was a touchback (1.9%). Among the 10 initial semifinalists for the award, Hunt ranked first for percentage of punts inside the 20 and fewest touchbacks, second for net average and fourth for gross average. He entered his senior season as the nation’s top punter, according to ESPN and Sporting News, and is also a member of the 2016 Ray Guy Award watch list.

DAVIS AMONG NATION’S BEST
Senior LB Kevin Davis led the Rams with 101 tackles and 14.0 tackles for loss in 2015 – figures that both ranked in the top 10 in the Mountain West. He was encouraged to take the next step, however, especially after fellow linebacker Deonte Clyburn went down with a likely season-ending illness.

Davis has risen to the occasion through five weeks, totaling 51 tackles, 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. In the opener against Colorado (9/2), he posted a career-most 19 tackles – the most by a Rams defender since Max Morgan (20) at Utah State in 2013. A week later vs. UTSA (9/10), Davis stole the show by being in on four sacks, including three in the fourth quarter alone – one of which was a strip sack.

His 10.2 tackles-per-game average ranks 20th nationally, while his 28 solo stops rank 27th. He is the only player in the country with 50-plus tackles and at least three sacks and two forced fumbles.

BEHIND THE LINE
The Rams’ defense totaled eight tackles for loss vs. Wyoming (10/1), including 3.0 sacks. On the season, the unit ranks 29th nationally for tackles for loss (7.4) and 38th for sacks (2.60). LBs Kevin Davis (6.5) and Josh Watson (6.0) lead the Rams for stops behind the line.

KICKING INTO HALFTIME
Each of the past four games, K Wyatt Bryan has attempted a field goal on the final play of the first half. The sophomore has connected on three of the four attempts, giving the Rams late points as the team enters intermission.

He is 7-of-9 on the season, including three makes over 40 yards and a career-long 53-yarder vs. Northern Colorado (9/17). His seven makes are the 25th-most in college football and his .778 success rate ranks 36th. Dating back more than a year, to Sept. 26, 2015, Bryan has made 19 of his last 23 field goal attempts.

FIRST-TIME ACTION
Freshman DB Jamal Hicks made his collegiate debut vs. Wyoming (10/1), upping the team’s season total to 24 first-year players: DB Robert Awunganyi, WR Detrich Clark, TE Dalton Fackrell, LB Justin Falls, WR Michael Gallup, LB Anthony Giusti, K Tavis Guerra, WR Anthony Hawkins, DB Jamal Hicks, QB Collin Hill, DL O’Shea Jackson, LB Arjay Jean, DB Devin Jones, DL Richard King, RB Marvin Kinsey, Jr., LB Deshon Mayes, DL Toby McBride, LB Max McDonald, DL Justin Nunez, FB Nate Ryken, OL Jeff Taylor and WR Marcus Wilson have made their collegiate debuts; transfers QB Faton Bauta and OL Paul Thurston made their CSU debuts vs. Colorado.

STAYING DISCIPLINED
CSU ranked 113th nationally in 2015, averaging 69.1 penalty yards a game. The Rams were penalized for just 37 yards vs. Wyoming (10/1) and five weeks into the season rank 25th nationally with just 45.4 penalty yards averaged per game.

BAUTA’S ROLE
Senior QB Faton Bauta’s role as the Rams’ signal caller may have lessened after being replaced during a Week-2 start vs. UTSA (9/10), but head coach Mike Bobo continues to find packages for the dual-threat quarterback. Bauta rushed eight times for 78 yards through the Rams’ first two games, and during Week 4 at Minnesota (9/24), he had more opportunities to move the ball with his feet, rushing six times for 33 yards, including three carries of at least nine yards.

Bauta ignited the Rams’ second-half opening drive, rushing for nine yards on the first play – a drive which ended with a touchdown. He also had a nine-yard rush during the Rams’ next drive – also a score.

HUNT CAN THROW
During the Rams’ annual media day in August, All-America punter Hayden Hunt joked with writers that he was the team’s 16th-string quarterback. He may have moved up after the Rams’ non-conference finale at Minnesota (9/24), converting a fake punt for a 29-yard gain. Hunt received the snap, but instead of punting, threw it across the middle to DB Braylin Scott – who hauled in his first career reception. The play came at a critical time in the game. Trailing by 14 in the fourth quarter, CSU faced 4th-and-5 from its own 30-yard line. Six plays after the fake punt, the Rams scored to cut the deficit to a single score with 6:24 to play.

DEFENSIVE STOPS WHEN NEEDED
Despite being criticized for missed tackles during a loss at Minnesota (9/24), the Rams’ defense rose to the occasion and made plays when the team needed them most. After the Gophers took a 14-7 lead, they were limited to just 44 total yards and three points over their next four drives, a span of more than 28 minutes. The three points could have been more, but facing 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line, the defense stopped RB Rodney Smith twice for no gain and a lost yard before QB Mitch Leidner was tackled for a seven-yard loss on third down.

Again, the defense was at its best in the fourth quarter when CSU needed a stop after scoring to cut the Gophers’ lead to a single score with 6:24 to play. Minnesota was limited to just three plays and zero yards, and had to punt right away.

ROAD WARRIORS
CSU’s loss at Minnesota (9/24) was its first road loss in nearly an entire calendar year, last falling in a true road game at Utah State on Oct. 3, 2015. Still, CSU has won 10 of its last 15 true road games dating back to the 2013 season – its best stretch since also accomplishing the feat during the 2001-03 seasons. Prior to the Rams’ current run, they had lost 10 true road games in a row and 21 of 23.

HILL’S HISTORIC DEBUT
After inconsistent quarterback play through the first two games, head coach Mike Bobo named true freshman Collin Hill the Rams’ quarterback for their game vs. Northern Colorado. Hill was phenomenal completing 21-of-27 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. He added a fifth touchdown on the ground, rushing 51 yards into the end zone.
His 315 passing yards were the most ever by a CSU quarterback making his first career start.
His 51-yard rushing touchdown was the longest rush by a CSU quarterback since Bradlee Van Pelt (79-yard touchdown run vs. Fresno State, 10/4/02).
Hill’s four touchdown passes – to four different receivers – are the third-most ever by a CSU quarterback.

SHUT-DOWN DEFENSE
CSU’s defense did not allow a point for four consecutive quarters from the second half vs. UTSA (9/10) to halftime vs. Northern Colorado (9/17). The stretch, which lasted 65:04 and 16 drives, was the longest since 2011, when the Rams’ defense shut out New Mexico in the second half before blanking Northern Colorado through the first half the next week.

KINSEY ADDS TO THE MIX
The Rams returned RBs Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews in 2016 – a duo that combined for 1,457 rushing yards during their debut seasons in 2015. Both have been reliable this fall – totaling 203 and 209 rushing yards, respectively, in addition to a touchdown run apiece – but have also been slowed by injuries.

Enter freshman Marvin Kinsey, Jr., who has 184 rushing yards and the first two scores of his career, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Kinsey led all Rams with 97 rushing yards in a win over Northern Colorado (9/17).

ELROY’S BACK
After missing the final 11 games of 2015 with a broken collarbone, junior WR Elroy Masters, Jr. recorded his first catch in nearly a year vs. UTSA (9/10). He hauled in three receptions for 67 yards in the win, including a 45-yard leaping catch with 2 seconds left in the first half – CSU’s longest play of the season at the time. After UTSA cut the Rams’ lead to 17-14 with 20 seconds left in the half, CSU aired it out and it paid off. Masters’ grab set up a field goal to give CSU a six-point lead at intermission.

One week later, vs. Northern Colorado, he earned his second career start and caught two more passes for 19 yards, including the second touchdown of his career.

GOING LONG
Through two weeks of play, the Rams’ offense had just one play that went for more than 25 yards, but in the first quarter alone vs. Northern Colorado (9/17), CSU had three plays over 45 yards – the three longest plays of the seasons. In additional to quarterback Collin Hill’s 51-yard touchdown run, he threw a 45-yard pass to junior Michael Gallup and a 50-yard pass to junior Xavier Williams.

ORANGE IS THE NEW GREEN
CSU honored its Aggie heritage during its game against Northern Colorado (9/17), as fans and the team wore orange in honor of the school’s annual Ag Day celebration. Formerly the Colorado A&M Aggies (prior to 1957), CSU’s uniforms represented the school’s original colors of pumpkin and alfalfa.

Since 1981, Ag Day, which is hosted by CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics along with Colorado Agricultural organizations and associations, is a non-profit event with proceeds furnishing scholarships to CSU agricultural science students. Prior to the game, Colorado agricultural growers and producers prepared Colorado’s premier outdoor barbecue from quality Colorado food products. While donning the orange uniforms in Orange Outs, CSU is 7-0.

STREAKING IN HOME OPENERS
With CSU’s win over UTSA (9/10), the Rams have now won four home openers in a row and eight of their last nine dating back to 2008. During CSU’s four-game win streak in home openers, it is out-scoring its opponents, 171-65.

SECOND-HALF SHUTOUT
The Roadrunners (9/10) had seven drives in the second half with very little to show for them. In fact, they were held off the board, marking CSU’s first second-half shutout since blanking New Mexico in the second half in 2011. UTSA’s drives consisted of four punts, two turnovers on downs after getting stopped on 4th-and-2 and a late Braylin Scott interception to secure the victory.

JUST KEEP RUNNING
While UTSA (9/10) was limited to -1 rushing yards – the third-best rush defense in CSU history – the Rams piled on 220, including 193 in the first half. It was the largest first-half total since 2014, when CSU put up 209 first-half rushing yards vs. Tulsa. Against the Roadrunners, the Rams averaged 4.7 yards per carry and had four different players rush for at least 35 yards.

STOUT DEFENSE
CSU graduated all four of its defensive linemen from 2015, but fans wouldn’t know that based off of the team’s performance against UTSA (9/10). Coupled with an experienced linebacking corps, CSU limited UTSA’s offense to:

14 total points, including zero in the second half.
-1 rushing yards on 34 attempts, the third-lowest total in school history.
CSU’s six sacks contributed to UTSA’s low rushing total, including a career-most 3.0 by senior LB Kevin Davis and the first career sacks by LB Evan Colorito and DB Justin Sweet and a sack for the second consecutive week by DL Jakob Buys.
Just 235 total yards of offense, including 63 in the second half.
Sophomore DB Braylin Scott’s first career interception, a pick that sealed the Rams’ victory in the final minutes.

NEW DEFENDERS STEPPING UP IN OPENER
CSU replaced eight starters on defense, in addition to its defensive coordinator. The Rams also switched their base front from a 4-3 to a 3-4. In total, six of CSU’s 11 starters vs. Colorado (9/2) were making their first career starts, plus Jake Schlager who was making his second. Of the 20 defenders who saw playing time in the Showdown, 15 recorded career highs for tackles: Kevin Davis (19), Jake Schlager (11), Justin Sweet (8), Evan Colorito (6), Demontrie Taylor (5), Josh Lovingood (5), Jordon Vaden (4), Toby McBride (4), Johnny Schupp (4), Deshon Mayes (4), Jakob Buys (4), Patrick Elsenbast (2), Richard King (2), Shun Johnson (1) and Darnell Thompson (1).

In addition to tackles, Buys recorded his first career sack – a six-yard loss in the second quarter – while Davis, Mayes and Sweet forced their first career fumbles and Taylor recovered his first loose ball. Schlager had his second fumble recovery.

HOT TICKET
A total of 69,850 fans attended the 2016 Rocky Mountain Showdown at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos (9/2). It was the largest attendance in the series since 2003 and fifth year in a row that the crowd has grown. CSU sold 34,167 tickets, the fourth year in a row that the school’s total has risen and nearly double its total from just four years ago (18,169 in 2012).

4 IN A ROW?
The Rams aim to build upon last season’s success at the end of the year and qualify for a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season – something that hasn’t been done since doing it five years in a row from 1999-2003. All-time, CSU has played in 15 bowl games, including 14 since 1990, in addition to the 1949 Raisin Bowl.

The Rams qualified for the inaugural NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl in 2015 after winning their final four regular-season contests.

NEW FACES
Bobo and his staff signed one of the Rams’ largest-ever recruiting classes this spring, featuring 23 players who are now wearing the Green and Gold. The class was ranked second-best in the Mountain West by Rivals, and features six JUCO players, two graduate transfers from Power-5 schools and 15 prep stars. The list spans players from 14 states and includes four players who enrolled in January and spent spring practices with the team. Bobo praised several of the players during fall camp, with 16 playing so far including eight true freshmen.

In addition to the players, in February, Bobo named Jamie Bryant as the Rams’ special teams coordinator. Bryant was most recently at Delaware State, and has nearly two decades of college experience, including nine seasons at Vanderbilt. During the offseason, Bobo also promoted Marty English to defensive coordinator (was previously CSU’s linebackers coach) and named Joe Cox as tight ends coach (formerly an offensive graduate assistant). English served as CSU’s co-defensive coordinator from 2012-14.

FRESH UNIS
During a fall training camp livestream, the CSU Rams debuted their new Under Armour uniforms, which include the athletic department’s new letterhead and a Ram horn on the shoulder pads – an accent chosen by the players. The player’s favorite threads were the green tops and green pants, a combination that hasn’t been worn since 2008. In addition to green, white and orange tops, CSU broke out an all-gray look for the Border War (10/1).

Bobo mentioned that the new jerseys are made from a cutting-edge material and that CSU is one of just a handful of schools to wear it.

In December, CSU announced a long-term partnership with Under Armour, extending its current agreement with the global performance brand to be the exclusive outfitter for CSU’s athletics programs through 2021. As part of the new long-term agreement, Under Armour will continue to exclusively design and supply the gameday uniforms, as well as footwear, apparel and training equipment for each of CSU’s 16 men’s and women’s athletics teams. It includes alternate gameday uniforms that Under Armour will supply for the Rams, expanding upon the special Orange Out uniforms Under Armour has supplied for CSU’s annual Ag Day game.

AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS
During his brief tenure at CSU, head coach Mike Bobo has repeatedly said that if a player is working hard and making an impact on the team, he deserves to be on scholarship. The coach backed up his words during fall training camp, awarding four players with scholarships: DL Jakob Buys, FB Adam Prentice, WR Robert Ruiz and DB Eric Williams.

“A scholarship is something that is earned, and it’s not something that we give away or take lightly,” Bobo said. “You want to reward guys who work hard and are going to play a role on your team. Those players, not only do they work hard, but they’re moving up on the depth chart and are continuing to improve. We wanted to show that we notice that.”

#FAREWELLHUGHES
CSU is playing its 49th and final season at Hughes Stadium in 2016. The program will transition to its $220-million on-campus stadium in 2017, located in the heart of CSU’s main campus. Prior to saying goodbye to its home for the past five decades, however, the athletics department is celebrating the venue during its final season.

Fans are encouraged to use #FarewellHughes in their social media posts and to share user-generated content across all of CSU Athletics’ social media channels, as well as through the Farewell Hughes microsite. Special features will be introduced both online and through social media to highlight all of the historic moments and the figures who played a key role in making that history. Fans may email memories, including stories and photos, to CSU Athletics at farewellhughes@colostate.edu. Select fans’ memories and content will be shared on social media and on the video board on gamedays.

Each of the six home games at Hughes Stadium in 2016 commemorates a specific decade of the stadium’s history.

The game-by-game breakdown:

Sept. 10, vs. UTSA — Celebration of the 1960s and Military Appreciation Day
Sept. 17, vs. Northern Colorado — Celebration of the 1970s and Ag Day/Orange Out
Oct. 1, vs. Wyoming — Celebration of the 1980s and Border War/Bronze Boot
Oct. 8, vs. Utah State — Celebration of the 1990s and Homecoming & Family Weekend
Nov. 5, vs. Fresno State — Celebration of the 2000s and Take a Kid to the Game promotion
Nov. 19, vs. New Mexico — Celebration of the 2010s and Final Game Commemoration

PORTER AMONG PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME NOMINEES
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s selection process for the Class of 2017 has begun, and includes first-year eligible player Joey Porter. The 94 players and coaches will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January.

From 1995 to 1998 there were few players more feared in college football than CSU defensive end Joey Porter. In his four seasons in Fort Collins, Porter recorded 20 quarterback sacks, 28 tackles for loss, eight fumbles forced and one interception. As a senior in 1998, he was named first-team All-WAC. He went on to be drafted in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft and played 13 years in the League, earning four Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl XL title. He became the first player in NFL history to record 10 career interceptions and 70 career sacks, and additionally, became the first player to register at least five sacks in 11 consecutive seasons. After a year as an undergraduate student assistant at CSU, he is now in his third season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, serving as outside linebackers coach.

LOOKING AT THE SCHEDULE
CSU’s 2016 campaign began Sept. 2 in Denver, Colo., with the Rocky Mountain Showdown against Colorado. In total, CSU played four non-conference opponents and will face eight Mountain West teams.

CSU opened its season against Colorado (Sept. 2) for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Entering 2016, CSU was 2-1 in the three most-recent season-opening meetings.
The Rams’ matchup against UTSA (Sept. 10) was a return trip from last season, when the Rams defeated the Roadrunners, 33-31, in San Antonio, Texas.
CSU improved to 20-0-1 all-time against Northern Colorado (Sept. 17), with the first meeting taking place in 1893. Prior to September, the Rams and Bears last met in 2011.
CSU didn’t leave the state of Colorado until a Sept. 24 road contest at Minnesota. The Rams played in a Big Ten opponent’s home stadium for the third time ever (1998 win at No. 23 Michigan State, 2005 loss at Minnesota). Overall, a team from a Power 5 conference hosted CSU for the third time in the past four seasons.
The Border War was played on an earlier date (Oct. 1) than it has in 15 years. The last time CSU and Wyoming met before Oct. 1 was on Sept. 29, 2001, a 42-14 Rams victory in Laramie.
CSU will travel to UNLV (Oct. 22) for the first time since 2011 and San Diego State (Nov. 26) for the first time since 2012.
The final game at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium is Nov. 19 vs. New Mexico.
CSU has a winning record against seven of its 12 scheduled opponents (Fresno State, New Mexico, Northern Colorado, UNLV, UTSA, Utah State and Wyoming).
The 2016 Mountain West Championship game will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, at the home of the highest-ranked division champion.

A DEEPER LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
Earlier this spring, CSU announced its complete list of 2017 opponents, including the grand opening to the new stadium on Sept. 9. Additionally, 14 non-conference dates for the 2018-26 seasons are also known – 12 of which are against Power-5 opponents.

2017: vs. Colorado in Denver (Sept. 2), Abilene Christian (Sept. 9), at Alabama (Sept. 16), Oregon State (Sept. 23). Mountain West home opponents: Air Force, Boise State, Nevada and San Jose State. Mountain West road opponents: Hawai’i, New Mexico, Utah State and Wyoming.
2018: Sept. 1 vs. Colorado (Denver), Sept. 15 at Florida
2019: Aug. 31 vs. Colorado (Denver), Sept. 14 at Arkansas, Sept. 21 vs. Toledo
2020: Sept. 5 vs. Colorado, Sept. 12 at Oregon State, Sept. 26 at Vanderbilt
2021: Sept. 11 vs. Vanderbilt, Sept. 25 at Toledo
2025: Sept. 6 vs. Texas Tech, Sept. 27 at Vanderbilt
2026: Sept. 12 at Texas Tech, Sept. 26 vs. Vanderbilt

GET YOUR GREEN ON EVERY FRIDAY
Thanks to a collaborative effort between CSU, the City of Fort Collins, the Downtown Business Association, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Fort Collins and Poudre School District, all citizens are being encouraged to “Get Your Green On” every Friday to honor CSU’s primary school color. The initiative is meant to encourage school pride and awareness. Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell – a former CSU football player and long-time professor in the school’s College of Engineering – ushered in the initiative with a proclamation during a recent city council meeting.

COORS LIGHT COACH’S RADIO SHOW
The Coors Light Mike Bobo Coach’s Show is back for another season. The weekly show runs Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. and can be heard on CSU’s new radio flagship Rock 102.9 FM and on Mile High Sports 1340 AM and 104.7 FM in the Denver Metro area. The one-hour show is hosted by Voice of the Rams Brian Roth, and fans are invited to join Coach Bobo in person each week at the new C.B. & Potts location at the Foothills Mall. Fans also may submit questions via social media using the Twitter account @CSURamsRadio.

The show will run every week at the same time and location, with the exception of the bye week (Oct. 26) and the season’s final show, during Thanksgiving week, when it will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

CATCH COACH BOBO ON TV
Thursday Night Football will take a backseat for Rams fans this fall. Each Thursday, from 6:30-7 p.m., the Rams Report is back for its fourth season on ROOT SPORTS, hosted by Kevin McGlue and featuring interviews with head coach Mike Bobo, highlights and analysis, and an inside glimpse into CSU football.

COMING HOME IN 2017
After five decades of playing at Hughes Stadium, the Rams will bring football back to campus beginning in 2017. The new, $220 million on-campus stadium will have a capacity of 41,000, and is located in 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 2015, and a groundbreaking ceremony took place prior to the Rams’ contest against Minnesota last September. More than a year before kickoff, all Indoor Club and Outdoor Club premium seats were sold out, with a very limited number of other premium seating options still available. While stadium naming rights are still on the table, CSU has received generous donations from several partners ($20 million gift by an anonymous donor to forever name the field Sonny Lubick Field; a $4.3 million gift from New Belgium Brewing Company to name the north end zone hospitality area the New Belgium Porch; a $3.5 million gift by alumnus Michael Smith to name the alumni center within the stadium the Michael & Iris Smith Alumni Center).

More information on the stadium project, including a webcam on the construction site and photos and video, can be found at stadium.colostate.edu.

WATCH THE RAMS ON THE ROAD
Rams fans can gather at several locations in Colorado to enjoy CSU Rams football away game watch parties in 2016, featuring drink specials and CSU prizes. The Boot Grill in Fort Collins (Laurel and Mason), CB & Potts in Westminster (1257 W. 120th Ave.) and the Denver Tech Center (6575 S. Greenwood Plaza Blvd.), and the Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Denver on the 16th Street Mall will serve as official hosts of away game watch parties. For more information, please visit the CSU Alumni Association website for watch party information in Colorado and across the country!

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results