Game Notes: CSU football at Air Force, Nov. 12

Nov. 7, 2016

ENTIRE WEEK 10 GAME NOTES (PDF)

Colorado State at Air Force
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 | 8:15 p.m. MT
Falcon Stadium | USAFA, Colo.

TV: ESPNU
Stream: ESPN3.com / WatchESPN app
Radio: KARS 102.9 FM / KDCO 1340 AM & 104.7 FM
Live Stats
In-Game Twitter Updates

ABOUT COLORADO STATE

Under the direction of 2nd-year head coach Mike Bobo, who led CSU to a bowl game in 2015.
CSU has posted 6 shutouts in a half this season, including a complete-game shutout vs. Fresno State, the Rams’ first since 1997.
CSU is 33-of-36 when reaching the red zone (15th in NCAA FBS).
Hasn’t turned the ball over in 3 of the past 4 games.
Since returning to the starting lineup, QB Nick Stevens is 57-of-83 for 666 yards and 6 touchdown and 0 interceptions.
WR Michael Gallup is averaging 112.0 yards per game over the past 4 contests, scoring in all 4 games.
All-America P Hayden Hunt is a 2-time Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week honoree.
LB Kevin Davis ranks in the top 10 in the Mountain West for tackles per game and sacks.
RBs Dalyn Dawkins, Izzy Matthews and Marvin Kinsey, Jr. have combined for 1,283 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns.
CSU’s defense ranks in the top 30 nationally for tackles for loss per game (7.0; 26th) and sacks (2.67; 28th).
The Rams’ offensive line hasn’t allowed a sack in the past 2 games and ranks 19th in NCAA FBS with 1.33 allowed per game this season.
26 players have made their CSU debuts this season, including 8 true freshmen.

ABOUT AIR FORCE

Led by Troy Calhoun, who has taken AFA to a bowl game in 9 of 10 seasons, including 2016.
Has won back-to-back games after losing 3 in a row in October. AFA began the season a perfect 4-0 and now sits at 6-3.
Lost to Hawai`i on Oct. 22 (most-recent home game), snapping a 15-game home win streak.
Defense ranks 2nd in the Mountain West and top 20 nationally, allowing just 334.9 yards per game and 114.4 rushing yards per game.
Offense ranks 3rd in the MW, averaging 448.2 yards per game, including 290.7 rushing yards per game (2nd in MW, 5th in FBS). 3 players have at least 392 rushing yards this season, led by Jacobi Owens (611).
AFA has intercepted 11 passes (22nd in FBS), including 4 apiece by DBs Brodie Hicks and Weston Steelhammer.
Steelhammer, a Preseason All-MW selection, has 15 career interceptions (T-3rd in AFA history) and leads the Falcons with 53 tackles. He is a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
AFA has led time of possession in 7 of 9 games and ranks 20th nationally, controlling the ball for 33:04 per game.
AFA is averaging 27.14 yards per kickoff return (1st in MW, 5th in FBS), led by Timothy McVey (27.1 average; 1st/15th).
K Luke Strebel averages 1.67 field goals per game (1st in MW, 14th in FBS).

SERIES NOTES & NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

CSU is 21-32-1 all-time against Air Force, including 10-16-1 at the Academy.
The Rams have won two of the last three meetings in the series, out-scoring the Falcons 120-63 during that span.
CSU is looking for back-to-back wins in the series for the first time since winning three in a row from 2001-03.
The Rams are looking for their first win at Falcon Stadium since 2002 (31-12).
In last year’s Homecoming victory, CB Tyree Simmons forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and had five tackles (1.0 tackle for loss).
QB Nick Stevens completed 23-of-30 passes vs. Air Force in 2015 for three touchdowns and 296 yards (second-most of his career).
LB Kevin Davis has played in three games vs. Air Force, totaling 16 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss. 
Hayden Hunt has 11 career punts in three contests vs. the Falcons, averaging 40.1 yards with six landing inside opponents’ 20-yard line.
RB Dalyn Dawkins had 82 yards from scrimmage in last year’s win over Air Force.
Former WR Jordon Vaden has six career catches for 110 yards and a touchdown vs. Air Force.

RIVALRY WEEK
Colorado State enters the week looking to post back-to-back wins over Air Force for the first time since 2002-03. The Rams have beaten the Falcons in two of the last three meetings, but haven’t won at the Academy since 2002. On the line is the Ram-Falcon Trophy, which has been awarded annually to the game’s winner since 1980. The trophy is traced back to former CSU ROTC commander Shelly Godkin. A win would also make CSU bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season, an accomplishment that hasn’t happened since 1999-2003.

NO PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER
When the calendar flips to November, it should be an exciting thing for CSU and its fans. The Rams have had plenty of recent success in the month, including:

5 wins in a row during the month of November.
9 wins in their last 10 games in the month of November.
3 wins in a row on the road in the month of November.
6 home wins in a row during the month of November.

ROAD WARRIORS
CSU picked up its first road win of the season at UNLV (10/22). Dating back to the 2013 season, the Rams have won 11 of their last 17 true road contests – its best stretch since the 2001-03 seasons. Prior to the Rams’ current run, they had lost 10 true road games in a row and 21 of 23.

PARTY LIKE IT’S 1997
What do 1997 and 2016 have in common? Those years mark the last two times the Cleveland Indians have played in the World Series, the last two times there have been two ties in a season in the NFL and the last two times CSU’s defense has posted a shutout in a game.

The Rams kept Fresno State (11/5) off the board for all 60 minutes, marking the team’s first shutout in 225 games – dating back to Oct. 4, 1997 vs. Hawai`i. How good was the defense?

It posted the fifth and sixth shutouts of a half this season, including three shutouts in the last four halves.
Allowed 232 yards (season low for an opponent)
Fresno State didn’t record its initial first down until more than 18 minutes into the game. At that point, CSU’s offense already had 12 first downs.
The Bulldogs didn’t cross midfield until midway through the third quarter.
Tied a season high with 10 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks each for true freshmen Arjay Jean and Toby McBride, and the first career sacks for Max McDonald and Johnny Schupp.
CB Jordon Vaden, a converted WR, intercepted a fourth-quarter pass to keep the shutout alive.

ON A ROLL
In last week’s shutout victory over Fresno State, CSU scored on six consecutive drives to jump out to a 37-0 advantage midway through the third quarter. It was the second game in a row in which the Rams have put together several scoring drives in succession. In its previous game, at UNLV (10/22), CSU scored on five of six first-half drives to jump out to a 35-0 halftime lead.

Over the past two contests, the Rams’ offense has totaled 79 points, 961 yards and 54 first downs.

SEEING RED
CSU has scored 33 of 36 times when reaching the red zone this season (opponents’ 20-yard line). The season average of 91.7 percent ranks 15th in NCAA FBS, and includes 26 touchdowns and nine field goals. The Rams began the season a perfect 16-for-16 before missing a field goal vs. Wyoming (10/1). CSU’s other two times it did not score when reaching the red zone was during the Rams’ final drive at UNLV (10/22), when they let the clock run out after reaching the Rebels’ 1-yard line, and on the first drive vs. Fresno State (11/5), going for it on 4th-and-1 from the 11-yard line.

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
CSU has turned the ball over just once over the past four games, winning the turnover battle three times. The Rams forced two takeaways in a come-from-behind win over Utah State (10/8) – including a fumble recovery and game-sealing interception by LB Kevin Davis – and two more at UNLV (10/22). In a win over Fresno State (11/5), CB Jordon Vaden helped preserve the Rams’ shutout with a fourth-quarter interception. The Rams are 4-0 on the season when winning the turnover battle, and 8-0 under head coach Mike Bobo. When CSU didn’t turn the ball over in back-to-back games – against Utah State and at Boise State (10/15) – it marked just the second time since 1999 that the Rams had gone back-to-back contests without a turnover.

The Rams have given up the ball 10 times through nine games this season (19th nationally), compared to 23 at this point last season. The Rams’ even turnover margin ranks 62nd nationally, a vast improvement from the end of last season (117th).

O-LINE GRADING OUT
CSU brought back an experienced offensive line which included four returning starters from 2015. After some early-season bumps, the line seems to be fully clicking, having not allowed a sack each of the past two games. In fact, the Rams have allowed just 12 sacks all season (1.33 per game), an average which ranks 19th in all of FBS football. Additionally, the Rams’ run game has taken giant steps over the past two games, rushing for 495 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.05 yards per carry.

BEHIND THE LINE
Despite starting an entirely new defensive line, the Rams’ defense has totaled 63 tackles for loss (7.0 per game), a figure which leads the Mountain West and ranks 26th nationally. The unit also ranks 28th nationally (second in the MW), averaging 2.67 sacks per game. Fourteen players have registered at least a half-sack, with 11 of them never previously recording a sack entering 2016. LBs Kevin Davis (9.5), Josh Watson (6.5) and Tre Thomas (6.0) lead the Rams for stops behind the line.

STIFF COMPETITION
CSU’s four losses this season have come to teams with a combined record of 29-7 (80.6%). Two of the teams – Colorado and Boise State – are ranked in this week’s top-25 polls, while the other two – Minnesota and Wyoming – are receiving votes.

STEVENS IN COMMAND
After an early-season demotion, Nick Stevens has stepped back into the saddle and looks like a completely different player at quarterback. In his three starts since returning to action, Stevens is 57-of-83 (68.7%) for 666 yards – and most notably zero interceptions. At Boise State (10/15), Stevens led the Rams on a fourth-quarter rally, throwing two touchdown passes and setting up a third score during a span of 1:25. A week later, at UNLV (10/22), Stevens completed 75 percent of his passes (21-of-28) for 237 yards, leading the Rams on six touchdown drives. He was even more precise vs. Fresno State (11/5), going 19-of-24 for 240 yards and two touchdowns, part of six overall scoring drives for the Rams.

Stevens was an All-Mountain West second-team performer in 2015, starting all 13 contests and passing for 2,679 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 2,679 passing yards were a CSU sophomore record and second-most in the MW in 2015. His 21 touchdown passes led the league and ranked fifth in CSU’s all-time record book. He started the Rams’ season opener vs. Colorado before losing his starting role to QB Faton Bauta, and a week later to freshman Collin Hill. He got a second chance vs. Utah State (10/8) when Hill suffered an ACL tear.

GIDDY UP, GALLUP
Junior WR Michael Gallup has quickly become CSU quarterbacks’ favorite target, leading the team in receiving yards in each of the last six games. Over the past four weeks, Gallup has caught 27 passes for 448 yards (112.0 average), including a touchdown in each contest. His six receiving touchdowns on the season are a team most.

Against Utah State (10/8), Gallup caught seven passes for a career-most 140 yards and a touchdown. It was the first 100-yard receiving game by a CSU player other than Rashard Higgins since Charles Lovett vs. Hawai`i in 2014. He followed that performance up with a career-most nine catches for 126 yards in the Rams’ win over Fresno State (11/5).

Gallup has been part of two of the Rams’ three longest plays from scrimmages this season – including turning a 15-yard reception into a 60-yard score vs. Utah State – and several key third-down conversions. Of Gallup’s 27 catches over the past three games, 19 have resulted in first downs, including six on third-down completions.

RUNNING TRIO
Junior RB Dalyn Dawkins rushed for 125 yards in a win over Utah State (10/8), but aside from that, no Ram has reached the century mark this season. That’s not to say the Rams haven’t been productive in the run game, however. A three-headed approach of Dawkins, sophomore Izzy Matthews and freshman Marvin Kinsey, Jr. have split the load to combine for 1,283 rushing yards (142.56 per game).

Each one has led the Rams in rushing at least once this season, and each is averaging more than 4.4 yards per carry. Dawkins leads the bunch with 494 total yards, but it’s Matthews (team-most eight) and Kinsey (five) that are finding the end zone. The tandem each scored twice in a win at UNLV (10/22), becoming the first set of CSU teammates to each score two touchdowns in a game since 1996. Kinsey scored again the next game, a win over Fresno State (11/5), while Matthews scored twice for his second consecutive multi-touchdown game and his seventh score in the past four contests.

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. Against Northern Colorado a week later (9/17), he was needed just once – on the Rams’ first drive of the game – but it was one of 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. He earned the weekly honor again on Oct. 17 – the third time of his career – after averaging 43.3 yards over seven punts at Boise State (10/15), with two traveling 50-plus yards and four being marked inside the Broncos’ 20-yard line. Hunt also successfully converted two on-side kicks.

On the season, Hunt’s 44.2 net punting average ranks 23rd in the NCAA FBS. Of his 44 punts, 12 have traveled 50-plus yards, 22 have been marked down inside opponents’ 20-yard line, 16 have been fair caught and just two have 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 Ray Guy 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 candidate for the 2016 Ray Guy Award watch list.

HUNT CAN DO IT ALL
In addition to ranking among the nation’s best for net punting average, senior Hayden Hunt, a 2015 Ray Guy Award finalist and All-American, has also thrown for a first down, ran for a first down and successfully converted two on-side kicks.

During the Rams’ annual media day in August, Hunt joked with writers that he was the team’s 16th-string quarterback. He has since proven he may be higher on the depth chart, both at quarterback and other positions. In the Rams’ non-conference finale at Minnesota (9/24), Hunt converted a fake punt for a 29-yard gain. He 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. Two weeks later, in the second quarter against Utah State (10/8), Hunt lined up to punt from the Rams’ 39-yard line, but instead of punting, rushed forward for a six-yard gain and a first down.

His two on-side kicks at then-No. 15 Boise State (10/15) were part of a 20-0 run during a span of 1:25 during the fourth quarter, nearly completing an epic come-from-behind victory.

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 three-quarters of the way through the season, totaling 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles a fumble recovery and an interception. His 8.2 tackles-per-game average ranks ninth in the Mountain West, while his tackles-for-loss average ranks fourth and his sacks average ranks 15th. He is the only player in the country with 70-plus tackles, at least three sacks and a forced fumble, fumble recovery and interception.

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. He was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 10 after recording an interception and recovering a fumble in the Rams’ come-from-behind victory over Utah State (10/8). In July, he was named to the Butkus Award watch list and in October was added to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list.

DAVIS EARNS DEFENSIVE ACCOLADES
Senior LB Kevin Davis earned his first Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honor on Oct. 10, being recognized after tallying seven tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in the Rams’ come-from-behind victory over Utah State (10/8), which featured a second-half shutout. He also added a quarterback hurry in the fourth quarter, flushing Utah State QB Kent Myers out of the pocket on 3rd-and-3 and forcing the Aggies to punt. CSU got the ball near midfield and scored the game-winning touchdown five plays later.

The fumble recovery was the second of Davis’ career – in addition to a pair of forced fumbles this season. The interception was also the second of his career, with the other ironically coming in the fourth quarter of CSU’s seven-point victory at New Mexico last November.

FIRST-TIME ACTION
Several players made their debuts in a win over Fresno State (11/5), upping the team’s season total to 26 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 Houston Haynes, 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, QB J.C. Robles, FB Nate Ryken, OL Jeff Taylor and WR Marcus Wilson have made their collegiate or Division I debuts; transfers QB Faton Bauta and OL Paul Thurston made their CSU debuts vs. Colorado.

CSU has had 21 players make their first starts this season, a figure which ranks fourth in all of NCAA FBS.

STAYING DISCIPLINED
CSU ranked 113th nationally in 2015, averaging 69.1 penalty yards a game. Three-fourths of the way through the 2016 season, CSU has dramatically improved its ranking, averaging 48.56 penalty yards per game, a figure which ranks 40th nationally.

SUCCESS ON FOURTH DOWN
During the Rams’ first touchdown drive at Boise State (10/15), CSU converted three fourth-down conversions, including a 19-yard scramble by QB Nick Stevens. On the year, CSU is 13-of-21 on fourth down (30th in NCAA FBS), while opponents are just 5-of-15 against the Rams’ defense (16th in NCAA FBS).

INCREASING THIRD-DOWN EFFICIENCY
CSU has taken steps toward reversing its season-long struggles on both sides of the ball in third-down situations over the last two games. The Rams have converted 16-of-29 (55.2 percent) opportunities on offense and allowing UNLV and Fresno State to convert just 10-of-27 (37.0 percent). On CSU’s first touchdown drive at UNLV (10/22), the Rams converted three third-down conversions, including an eight-yard touchdown pass to Danny Nwosu. CSU entered that game ranked 126th in the NCAA FBS on defense – allowing opponents to convert at a 49.5-percent rate – and 108th on offense (34.0 percent).

NEW TARGETS
Of CSU’s 32 touchdowns this season, 18 have been scored by players who entered the season never before finding the end zone, including 14 by players who were not on the Rams’ roster a year ago.

WR Michael Gallup has a team-most six receiving touchdowns, all coming in the last seven games.
RB Marvin Kinsey, Jr. scored for the second game in a row vs. Fresno State (11/5) to up his season total to five.
WR Detrich Clark (2), WR Anthony Hawkins (1) and QB Collin Hill (1) have also scored their first career touchdowns this season.
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 touchdown pass vs. Northern Colorado.
Senior TE Nolan Peralta scored his first career touchdown vs. Wyoming. He entered the game with eight career receptions.
Additionally, WRs Olabisi Johnson and Elroy Masters, Jr. and TE Danny Nwosu each scored their second career touchdowns. Johnson added another score vs. Utah State (10/8).

What’s more, the Rams’ first nine touchdown passes were thrown by newcomers.

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 during Week 2 vs. UTSA (9/10), but while splitting snaps with Elsenbast, Watson proved he belonged in the starting lineup again, posting eight tackles and 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 those three games, he averaged 11.67 tackles. His biggest plays during that span 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 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 3rd-and-goal, forcing the Pokes to kick a field goal.

BRAYLIN THE BALL MAGNET
Four weeks into the 2016 season, sophomore DB Braylin Scott already had three interceptions. He 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).

SECONDARY STEPPING UP
CSU replaced the majority of its secondary from 2015, including Trent Matthews and Kevin Pierre-Louis – who each played 48-plus games in their career – and DeAndre Elliott, who is now playing for the Seattle Seahawks. After allowing 1,046 passing yards through the first four games, opponents have passed for just 928 yards over the past five. Senior Tyree Simmons is the Rams’ lone starting defensive back who returned from last year, while the transition has given junior Jake Schlager and several underclassmen – including true freshmen Robert Awunganyi and Jamal Hicks – a chance to prove themselves.

35-0 HALFTIME LEAD
CSU scored the first 35 points against UNLV (10/22), jumping out to a 35-0 halftime lead over the Rebels. In total, the Rams scored on five of their first six drives, and never trailed in the contest. The 35 first-half points were the most since CSU scored 45 in the 2015 season opener vs. Savannah State, and the most on the road or in a conference game since 2013 at New Mexico (37). In addition to shutting the Rebels out through the first 30 minutes, the Rams allowed just 72 total yards and caused two turnovers.

COMEBACK KIDS
CSU staged rallies in back-to-back contests, defeating Utah State (10/8) and nearly overcoming a 25-point fourth-quarter deficit at No. 15 Boise State (10/15).

Trailing Utah State by 14 points at halftime, CSU staged its largest comeback since Nov. 28, 2015 (17 points vs. Fresno State) by scoring 21 unanswered points. Utah State began the second half with the ball, but was limited to just four plays before punting. The Rams also used just four plays on their first possession, but traveled 80 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown catch by WR Michael Gallup. Three possessions later, CSU tied the game on a 1-yard Izzy Matthews run, and on its next drive took the lead, again behind a Matthews rush.

The wild final period against the Broncos included a 20-0 CSU run, three on-side kick attempts and a hook-and-ladder play in the final seconds of the game. Trailing 28-3 midway through the fourth quarter, CSU scored 20 unanswered points to cut the deficit to 28-23. The Rams would score three touchdowns in a span of 1:25, recovering two on-side kicks in the process. After a key defensive stop on fourth down, the Rams got the ball back with the chance to win the game, but ran out of time.

ON-SIDE KICK SUCCESS
The Rams successfully converted back-to-back on-side kicks against Boise State (10/15), part of a 20-0 CSU run in a span of 1:25. P Hayden Hunt kicked both, with the first being recovered by DB Kevin Nutt, Jr. and the second by RB Dalyn Dawkins. CSU hadn’t had two successful on-side kicks in the same season – let alone in a single game – since 2007. How rare was CSU’s two successful attempts? Since 2008, the Rams had recovered just one of their last eight attempts.

SCORING FIRST
Boise State set a school record (FBS era) by not trailing for the first 307:36 to begin its season. That streak was snapped when CSU’s Wyatt Bryan nailed a 39-yard field goal with 7:24 to play in the first quarter last week. The Rams nearly led for the remainder of the first half, until Boise State scored a touchdown in the final minute of the second quarter.

DEFENSIVE DOMINATION
Spanning more than an entire football game (63:27), CSU’s defense kept opponents off the board for 13 consecutive drives. The streak began late in the first half vs. Utah State (10/8). After trailing 24-10 at the intermission, the Rams’ defense stepped up and shut out the Aggies, which allowed the Rams to overcome a 14-point deficit and score the game’s final 21 points. The dominant display carried over to the next week, when the high-powered Boise State offense was shut down through its first five drives. Overall, the streak included nine punts, two turnovers on downs, a fumble recovery and a game-winning interception.

The Rams have also kept opponents off the board for 60-minute stretches vs. Fresno State (11/5) and during the second half vs. UTSA (9/10) followed by the first half against Northern Colorado (9/17). Prior to that contest, the Rams hadn’t blanked opponents for 60 consecutive minutes since 2011. Overall, CSU has shut out an opponent for a half six times this season, and nearly a seventh before Boise State scored with 27 seconds remaining in the first half.

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 four career starts, Hill averaged 267.5 passing yards per game with eight total touchdowns and two interceptions. He is one of two CSU quarterbacks (Pete Thomas, 2010) to ever have two 300-plus passing games as a freshman. Hill’s debut season came to a close on a 19-yard keep vs. Utah State (10/8), suffering an ACL tear. He had surgery on Oct. 25, and head coach Mike Bobo is hopeful he can return to participate in some capacity during spring camp.

Hill’s 14.61 passing yards per completion ranked 13th nationally at the time of his injury, while his 219.23 passing-yards-per-game average ranked third in the Mountain West – despite not playing the majority of the Rams’ contest vs. UTSA and leaving the game early vs. Utah State.

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.

HOMECOMING MAGIC
The Rams have won their past three homecoming games, defeating Utah State in 2014 and 2016 and Air Force in 2015. For all three games, CSU was the underdog. The Rams’ 2014 contest came down to the wire, with CSU kicking two field goals in the final 2 minutes to win on the final play of the game. In October vs. the Aggies, the Rams overcame a 14-point halftime deficit, scoring the game’s final 21 points.

STALWART SELLOUT
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 a 13-game stretch; prior to that period, CSU didn’t record a sellout for more than a decade. A week later, vs. Utah State (10/8), CSU nearly posted another sellout, with 32,387 in attendance – 117 shy of capacity.

KICKING INTO HALFTIME
For four games in a row (9/10-10/1), K Wyatt Bryan attempted a field goal on the final play of the first half. The sophomore connected on three of the four attempts, giving the Rams late points as the team entered intermission.

The sophomore is 9-of-11 on the season, including three makes over 40 yards and a career-long 53-yarder vs. Northern Colorado (9/17). His nine makes are the 49th- ost in college football and his .818 success rate ranks 28th. Dating back more than a year, to Sept. 26, 2015, Bryan has made 21 of his last 25 field goal attempts.

COSTLY TURNOVERS
Over the past month, CSU has been able to improve its season turnover margin, which is now even. It’s a large improvement from last season, but the problem is the result of the turnovers. Opponents have scored 47 points off of the Rams’ 10 miscues, including 10 in a seven-point loss at Minnesota (9/24) and 14 vs. Wyoming (10/1). CSU has scored 14 points off of opponents’ 10 turnovers.

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. The senior transfer has played in seven games this season, rushing 19 times for 124 yards (6.5 average).

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 it 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, giving the Rams a final chance to tie the game.

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 following week.

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 remaining 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, 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 at the time. 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 completion 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 yards, 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 STEPPED 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 at the time: 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 17 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 hadn’t been worn since 2011 prior to the Rams’ homecoming game vs. Utah State (10/8). In addition to green, white and orange tops, CSU broke out an all-gray look for the Border War (10/1) – one of eight different combinations worn this season.

Bobo noted 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.”

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.

#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

LOOKING AT THE SCHEDULE

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 traveled to UNLV (Oct. 22) for the first time since 2011 and will visit 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).

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 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.

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.

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