Game Notes: Colorado State to head back on the road to visit New Mexico

Colorado State (5-2, 3-0 MW) at New Mexico (3-3, 1-2 MW)
Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 | 8:15 p.m. MT
Dreamstyle Stadium (39,224) | Albuquerque, N.M.

QUICK HITS - COLORADO STATE

Colorado State goes back on the road for the fourth time in its last five games, Friday night at New Mexico. The Rams are 2-1 on the road this season, having won their last two road games (Hawaii and Utah State). CSU has won four of its last six true road games, dating back to last season.
The Rams are 3-0 in Mountain West play for the first time since 2002 when they started 6-0. CSU won the MW in 2002, their last league title.
The Rams' offensive line has not allowed a sack in six of seven games this season. CSU has allowed only two sacks all year, both versus Colorado (Sept. 1), and now ranks second in all of FBS for fewest sacks allowed (0.29 per game).
Defensively, the Rams rank ninth in the FBS in red zone defense (66.7%), and have allowed opponents into the red zone just 12 times in 2017.
WR Michael Gallup posted the second-best receiving game in school history in the win over Nevada with 263 yards on a career-high-tying 13 receptions. Gallup leads the nation in receiving yards (948), ranks second in receiving yards per game (135.4) and third in receptions per game (8.3).
QB Nick Stevens is fourth all-time at CSU in passing yards (7,006) and completions (517), and sixth in pass attempts (827). He has 59 passing TDs for his career, and is now just five behind all-time leader Garrett Grayson (64).
Colorado State ranks ninth in the FBS in total offense (520.7) and 12th in passing offense (322.1). Both figures lead the MW. CSU has gained at least 600 yards of total offense three times this season.

QUICK HITS - NEW MEXICO

The University of New Mexico Lobos are coached by Bob Davie, who is 30-38 in his sixth season with the Lobos, and he is 65-64 overall in his 11th season.
The Lobos are 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in the Mountain West.
After leading the Lobos to back-to-back bowl games, Davie has now been the head coach for five bowl teams, three at Notre Dame and two at New Mexico.
The Lobos are coming off of a 38-0 loss to Fresno State
New Mexico was held to under 100 yards rushing for the first time since 2012
Quarterback Tekava Tuioti passed for 200 yards in the loss to Fresno State
The Lobos enter the game 19th in the country in rushing offense, 26th in fewest sacks allowed per game and 21st in net punting.
New Mexico won the New Mexico Bowl last season, beating UTSA 23-20. The Lobos have played in the New Mexico Bowl two seasons in a row.

SERIES NOTES

CSU is 40-25-0 all-time against New Mexico, including 17-11 in Fort Collins.
The Rams have won seven consecutive meetings in the series.
Dating back to a 2009 loss, CSU has won three in a row in Albuquerque.
The Rams faced the Lobos in their final game at Hughes Stadium, defeating them 49-31 in a bowl-clinching victory.
CSU is averaging 50.3 points per game over the last four meetings, including 66 points in 2013, 58 in 2014 and 49 in 2016.
The 2016 matchup featured a trio of Ram 100-yard rushers in Marvin Kinsey, Jr. (127), Izzy Matthews (107) and Dalyn Dawkins (102).
QB Nick Stevens is 28-of-40 for 445 yards and three touchdowns in three games (two starts) vs. New Mexico.
The Rams have punted just four times total in their last four matchups against the Lobos.

CSU ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMERS VS. NEW MEXICO
Many of the Rams' all-time great rushing performances have come at the expense of the New Mexico Lobos.

In 2013, Kapri Bibbs had arguably the best game by a running back in school history, rushing for 291 yards and six touchdowns. Dee Hart nearly duplicated the prolific performance just a year later, scoring five touchdowns and rushing for 230 yards.

Last season, the Rams rushed for 412 yards against the Lobos, the most by CSU in a game since 2001. The game featured a trio of 100-yard rushers in Marvin Kinsey, Jr. (127), Izzy Matthews (107) and Dalyn Dawkins (102).

Jeff Champine recorded 192 receiving yards in the 1983 matchup against the Lobos, which is the top receiving performance in series history.

SENIORS STEAL SHOW IN HOMECOMING WIN
The Rams were led by a collection of seniors in their thrilling 44-42 homecoming victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack. Quarterback Nick Stevens passed for 384 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Dalyn Dawkins rushed for a career-high 191 yards on just 17 carries. Wide receiver Michael Gallup totaled 262 yards and three touchdowns--two yards short of CSU's single-game receiving record--and tight end Dalton Fackrell hauled in his third receiving touchdown in as many games.

On the defensive side, safety Jordan Fogal tied for the team lead with seven tackles including 1.0 tackle for loss, and fellow safety Jake Schlager followed closely behind with five tackles.

Anchored by three fifth-year seniors--Jake Bennett, Zack Golditch and Trae Moxley--the offensive line was its usual dominant self, extending its streak of conesuctive quarters without a sack allowed to 22. The Wolf Pack came into the game ranked sixth in the country, averaging 8.3 tackles for loss per game, but mustered just 1.0 against the Rams' offensive front.

LIKE MIKE
Through Week 6 of the 2017 season, Michael Gallup ranks first in the country with 948 receiving yards, ranks second in receiving yards per game (135.4) and third in receptions per game (8.3). He has four 100-yard games already on the year, and a pair of 200-yard performances (212 at Hawai'i, 263 vs. Nevada). He has at least five catches and 65 yards in every game this season. In a matchup against No. 1 Alabama, Gallup lined up against projected first-round draft pick Minkah Fitzpatrick and pulled in five catches for 81 yards, the most by a receiver against Alabama this season.

Over his last three games (Sept. 30 at Hawai'i, Oct. 7 at Utah State, Oct. 14 vs. Nevada), Gallup has posted 28 catches for 563 yards – the best three-game receiving stretch in CSU history. For his efforts against Nevada, Gallup was named MW Offensive Player of the Week.

Gallup now has 10 100-yard games in his career, the fifth-most in program history. His career average of 110.0 yards per game leads all active FBS players.

The Monroe, Ga., native now ranks seventh all-time in receiving yards at CSU, recording 2,220 in 20 games as a Ram. He is also tied for fifth in receiving TDs (19) and fifth in 100-yard games.

A JUCO transfer, Gallup filled the hole left by WRs Rashard Higgins and Joe Hansley in 2016, recording one of the best receiving seasons in CSU history. Gallup finished his first year with the Rams with 76 catches (3rd in CSU single-season history) for 1,272 yards (3rd) and 14 touchdowns (2nd). Gallup scored at least one touchdown in each of his final eight games, including three apiece in the final two.

HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN
Saturday marked the second sellout of the season and the third game of 2017 for which Colorado State sold all tickets for a game. The opening game at the new stadium Aug. 26 vs. Oregon State was a sellout (37,583) and CSU sold all of its ticket allotment for the Sept. 1 Rocky Mountain Showdown in Denver vs. Colorado (32,727). All seats for the next home game, Oct. 28 vs. Air Force, have sold out (standing-room tickets remain available).

After going 10 years without a sold-out game, from 2004-2014 (Last: Oct. 22, 2004, vs. Wyoming), the Rams have sold out seven of their last 19 home games:

QUICK STARTS IN MW
En route to a 3-0 start in conference play, the Rams have been dominant in the first quarter, outscoring Mountain West opponents 45-14 and outgaining them 588-166 in total yardage. Dating back to last season, the Rams have not trailed at the end of the first quarter in nine consecutive Mountain West games.

DEFENSE MAKES STATEMENT at UTAH STATE
The Rams defense had one of its most dominant performances in recent history, recording seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss, while allowing just 212 total yards in CSU's 27-14 win at Utah State. The seven sacks are the most by the Rams defense since 2011, while the 212 yards allowed is the fewest by an FBS opponent since 2013.

In his first start of the season, sophomore DE Arjay Jean led the Rams with six tackles, two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. True freshman LB Emmanuel Jones recorded the first two sacks of his career, while Richard King, Caleb Smith, Jakob Buys and Evan Colorito tallied the Rams' other sacks.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME
CSU is 3-0 in the new on-campus stadium. The Rams had a 5-1 record in home games in 2016, and have won six in a row at home and nine of their last 10 (and 19 of their last 23) games in the friendly confines of Fort Collins dating back to a win over UNLV on Nov. 14, 2015.

Over that 10-game stretch, CSU has averaged 38.3 points, with an average margin of victory of 14.1 points.

GOING FOR 500 (and 600)
CSU has eclipsed 500 yards of total offense five times this season, and reached 600-plus yards three times. Under Coach Bobo and offensive coordinator Will Friend, the Rams have exceeded 500 yards of total offense 14 times (4 in 2015, 5 in 2016, 5 in 2017).

The Rams posted 610 yards at Hawaii on Sept. 30 - a season high and the most under Coach Bobo. The total also ranks 10th all-time.

The offense came just short of beating that mark two weeks later against Nevada (Oct. 14), putting up 608 yards of total offense.

STEVENS STARS FOR CSU
Senior QB Nick Stevens has had an incredibly productive 2017 season. Stevens ranks 6th in the FBS in passing yards (2,255), 8th in passing TDs (18) and 10th in passing yards per game (322.1).

Stevens put on a QB clinic at Hawai'i on Sept. 30, going 18-of-22 for 351 yards and four touchdowns. He also completed his last 12 passes in a row, beginning with his first completion of the second quarter.

Stevens' accolades included:
• Davey O'Brien "Great 8" list
• Manning Award "Stars of the Week"
• Honorable Mention, CFPA National Performer of the Week

He is now fourth all-time at CSU in passing yards (7,006) and completions (517), while ascending to sixth place in pass attempts (827). He remains second in passing touchdowns, but with four last Saturday, to reach 59 for his career, is now just five behind all-time leader Garrett Grayson (64).

Stevens threw for 384 yards and 4 TDs against Nevada (Oct. 14). With his fifth 300-yard game of the season and eighth of his career, Stevens is now tied for second all-time, four behind Grayson (12).

RAMS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• WR Detrich Clark: 40th in kickoff return average (23.1)
• RB Dalyn Dawkins: 18th in rushing yards (684), 37th in all=purpose yards (851).
• WR Michael Gallup: First in receiving yards (948), third in receptions per game (8.4), second in receiving yards per game (135.4), 25th in receiving touchdowns (5)
• WR Olabisi Johnson: 22nd in punt return average (10.5)
• QB Nick Stevens: Sixth in passing yards (2,255), eighth in passing touchdowns (18), 10th in passing yards per game (322.1), 12th in total offense per game (333.1), 15th in completions per game (23.1), 16th in passer efficiency rating (157.0), 20th in passing yards per completion (13.9), 32nd in completion percentage (63.8 percent).

RECORD WATCH
Several Rams are within reach of positions in the Colorado State record books:

Wyatt Bryan:
   • One made field goal away from 6th all-time in career field goals made:
   T-4. Jared Roberts - 42 FGs made - 2012-14
   T-4. Steve DeLine - 42 - 1984-86
   6. Jon Poole - 38 - 1980-83
   7. Wyatt Bryan - 37 - 2015-Present
Dalyn Dawkins:
   • 52 yards from 9th all-time in career rushing yards:
   7. Cecil Sapp - 2,642 rushing yards - 1999-2002
   8. Oscar Reed - 2,581 - 1965-67
   9. Alvin Lewis - 2,522 - 1977-80
   10. Dalyn Dawkins - 2,470 - 2015-Present
Michael Gallup:
   • 3 yards away from 6th all-time in career receiving yards:
   4. Jeff Champine - 2,811 - 1980-83
   5. Willie Miller - 2,735 - 1972-74
   6. Johnny Walker - 2,223 - 2004-07
   7. Michael Gallup - 2,220 - 2016-Present
   • 5 catches away from 10th all-time in career receptions:
   7. Willie Miller - 148 receptions - 1972-74
   8. Pete Rebstock - 143 - 1998-01
   9. Kory Sperry - 141 - 2004-08
   10. Dallas Davis - 140 - 1997-01
   -- Michael Gallup - 135 - 2016-Present
   • Currently tied for fifth in career receiving TDs:
   1. Rashard Higgins - 31 - 2013-15
   2. Jeff Champine - 21 TDs - 1980-83
   T3. David Anderson - 20 - 2002-05
   T3. Kory Sperry - 20 - 2004-08
   T5. Michael Gallup - 19 - 2016-Present
   T5. Paul Turner - 19 - 1993-97
   • 52 yards away from 1,000 for the year, would tie fastest receiver to 1,000:
   -- Rashard Higgins reached 1,000 yards in his eighth game in 2014.
Izzy Matthews:
   • 1 touchdown away from 7th all-time in career rushing touchdowns.
   T7. Gartrell Johnson - 24 TDs - 2004-08
   T7. Damon Washington - 24 - 1995-98
   T7. Oscar Reed - 24 - 1965-67
   T10. Izzy Matthews - 23 - 2015-Present
   T10. Lawrence McCutcheon - 23 - 1969-71
   T10. E.J. Watson - 23 - 1993-95
Nick Stevens:
   • Fourth all-time in passing yards (7,006), 97 away from third:
   1. Garrett Grayson - 9,191 - 2011-14
   2. Kelly Stouffer - 7,142 - 1984-86
   3. Terry Nugent - 7,103 - 1980-83
   4. Nick Stevens - 7,006 - 2014-Present
   • Fourth all-time in completions (517), 52 away from tying for third:
   2. Kelly Stouffer - 577 - 1984-86
   3. Terry Nugent - 569 - 1980-83
   4. Nick Stevens - 517 - 2014-Present
   • Second all-time in passing TDs, 5 away from tying for first:
   1. Garrett Grayson - 64 - 2011-14
   2. Nick Stevens - 59 - 2014-Present
   • Sixth all-time in pass attempts, 2 away from tying for seventh:
   3. Terry Nugent - 1,009 - 1980-83
   4. Anthoney Hill - 847 - 1991-94
   5. Moses Moreno - 835 - 1994-97
   6. Nick Stevens - 827 - 2014-Present

BOBO KNOWS TALENT
Of the 73 CSU student-athletes who have appeared in a game this season, 38 are from Coach Bobo's last two signing classes—his first two full classes as Colorado State's head coach. This included 8 of the 22 starters in the season opener versus Oregon State. Those 36 are either from the 2016 and 2017 signing classes or have joined the team as walk-ons since the end of the 2015 season, Bobo's first as CSU's head coach.

START 'EM YOUNG
A year after #RamFam16 took the Mountain West by storm--highlighted by true freshmen Hicks, Jean, Kinsey Jr. and McBride's dominance in Mountain West play--#RAMPAGE17 has already put the country on notice. P Ryan Stonehouse currently ranks second in the country, averaging 48.6 yards per punt. TE Cameron Butler has nine catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, and WR Warren Jackson recorded two touchdown receptions at No. 1-ranked Alabama. LB Emmanuel Jones has 15 tackles and 2.0 sacks, while Ellison Hubbard has 11 tackles and 1.0 sack. OL Scott Brooks, CB Darius Campbell, RB Marcus McElroy, LB Patrick Moody, DL Livingston Paogofie, OL Joctavis Phillips, S Jadon Walker and WR Darius Wise are the other true freshmen to play this season.

CSU has now played 13 true freshmen this season.

CSU, UNDER ARMOUR REVEAL #STATEPRIDE UNIFORMS
The Colorado State football program and CSU Athletics' official apparel provider Under Armour unveiled on Sept. 21 a special State Pride uniform that the Rams will wear for their Nov. 11 home game vs. Boise State.

"Our partnership with Under Armour provides for specialty uniforms and the UA design team does a tremendous job driving the creative process," said Joe Parker, Director of Athletics. "The use of our iconic state flag as the base element for this uniform speaks to the pride across Colorado for the University and also our mission as a land grant institution."

The State Pride uniforms are white and incorporate elements of the Colorado state flag, with the helmet and jersey displaying the red and gold "C" and the pants including a patch of the flag at the left hip. The royal blue stripes of the flag run along the center of the helmet from front to back, and down the outside of each pant leg. Jersey numbers are royal with red trim, and the words "Colorado State" appear in royal above the number on the front of the jersey.

Under Armour is in its fifth year as the official apparel and uniform provider for Colorado State's athletics programs. The partnership originated in 2013 and a multi-year renewal began in 2016. In addition to the standard home and away uniforms and the Ag Day orange jerseys for the football team, Under Armour has produced an all-gray uniform that debuted in 2016.

STRIVE FOR FIVE
The Rams will aim to build upon their recent success and qualify for a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season – something that has only been done once before, from 1999-2003. Last year, the Rams won four of their final five games to qualify for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and guarantee a fourth consecutive winning season.

All-time, CSU has played in 16 bowl games, including 15 since 1990, in addition to the 1949 Raisin Bowl. The Rams are looking for their 16th conference title, and first since 2002.

BREAKING IN THE NEW END ZONES
The Rams scored seven touchdowns in their first game at the new on-campus stadium, successfully breaking in both end zones.

CSU's seven touchdowns were scored by six different players:
Rushing (3): Dalyn Dawkins, Marvin Kinsey, Jr., Izzy Matthews
Receiving (3): Cameron Butler, Detrich Clark, Dalyn Dawkins
Defensive (1): Tre Thomas (44-yard INT return)

Matthews scored the first CSU TD in the new stadium - a 1-yard rush into the south end zone to tie the game at 7-7. OSU WR Timmy Hernandez scored the first points in the stadium on a 39-yard TD pass from QB Jake Luton.

A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE

With 16 starters returning from last year's bowl team, CSU will challenge itself in 2017, playing a pair of Pac-12 programs (Oregon State, Colorado) and preseason No. 1 Alabama before opening up conference play on Sept. 30 at Hawai'i.
The 2017 season marks the first time since 2004 that CSU has played three Power-5 teams in non-conference. That year, the Rams faced Colorado, No. 22 Minnesota and No. 1 USC. According to FBSschedules.com, CSU's 2017 non-conference slate is ranked as the second-toughest in all of college football.
CSU's 11 FBS opponents went a combined 84-60 (.583) in 2016, with seven playing in bowl games and three competing in their conference title game (Alabama, Colorado, Wyoming).
CSU has a winning record against five of its eight conference opponents (Hawai`i, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah State and Wyoming) and is tied with San José State.
CSU begins conference play with back-to-back road contests for the first time since 1986. On the flip side, CSU will close the regular season with back-to-back home games for the first time since 2011.
With the Oregon State date change to a Week 0 contest, CSU played Colorado during Week 1. It marked just the second time in the past six years (2015) that the Rocky Mountain Showdown has not been the season opener. Attendance for the annual rivalry game has increased each of the past five seasons, including the largest crowd since 2003 last fall.
The Rams traveled to Hawai`i for the first time since 2013. After winning 51-21 on Sept. 30, CSU is now is 15-9 all-time against the Rainbow Warriors, winning seven in a row.
CSU won its first game at Utah State since 2011 with a 27-14 victory on Oct. 7.
The Rams and Wolf Pack played for the first time since the 2015 Arizona Bowl. CSU is 11-3 all-time against Nevada, including a perfect 7-0 in Fort Collins.
The Rams have beaten New Mexico seven consecutive times and hold a 40-25 advantage in the series.
After losing to Air Force seven years in a row from 2006-12, the Rams and Falcons have split the past four meetings, each won by the home team. Air Force leads the all-time series, 33-21-1.
The Rams have played Wyoming more than any other team, holding a 58-45-5 advantage. CSU has won three of the past four meetings, including back-to-back wins in Laramie.
CSU is looking for its first win over Boise State. The Broncos are 6-0 against the Rams, playing each of the past six seasons.
CSU is 4-4 all-time against San José State, winning in the most-recent meeting, in 2014 in San Jose.

A DEEPER LOOK
In addition to the Rams' 2017 slate, CSU has scheduled 20 non-conference dates from 2018-28 – 15 of which are against Power-5 opponents, with six of them being played in Fort Collins.
2018: Sept. 1 vs. Colorado (Denver), Sept. 8 vs. Arkansas, Sept. 15 at Florida, Sept. 22 vs. Illinois State
2019: Aug. 31 vs. Colorado (Denver), Sept. 7 vs. Western Illinois, Sept. 14 at Arkansas, Sept. 21 vs. Toledo
2020: Sept. 5 vs. Colorado, Sept. 12 at Oregon State, Sept. 19 vs. Northern Colorado, 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
2027: Sept. 4 vs. Arizona
2028: Sept. 2 at Arizona

#RAMPAGE17
Colorado State Football's 2017 signing class was the highest ranked in program history. Among CSU's signing class were several three-star commits, according to various recruiting sites. 247Sports lists 19 of the Rams' 27 signees as three-star prospects, while Scout named 16 - both are the most in school history. ESPN has 15 while Rivals has 12. Overall, there were 10 consensus three-star prospects among the four recruiting sites. WR Tyler Smith was named a four-star prospect by ESPN, 247 Sports and Scout.

The combined 2016 winning percentage of the Rams' 21 high school signees is .770 (197-59). Seven players won conference titles during their senior seasons (Firment, Hubbard, Lebron, Moody, Phillips, Scott and Smith), while four others played in their state championship or semifinals (Firment, Hubbard, Paogofie and Phillips). Hubbard helped Grayson High School to the 2016 Georgia Class 7A state championship and a No. 4 national ranking. Meanwhile, Corte Tapia led the Windsor Wizards to a 2015 Colorado 4A title.

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