Game Notes: Colorado State to visit Utah State Saturday

Colorado State at Utah State
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 | 2:30 p.m. MT
Maverik Stadium (25,100) | Logan, Utah
TV: AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain
Livestream (outside AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain broadcast footprint only):
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QUICK HITS - COLORADO STATE

Mike Bobo is in his third year as the head coach at Colorado State. He led the Rams to bowl appearances in each of his first two seasons.
CSU returns 16 starters from a year ago - 6 on offense, 8 on defense and a pair of specialists.
Statistically, the Rams return 93.9 percent of their rushing yardage, 95.5 percent of their passing yards and 88 percent of its total scoring.
Three returning Rams earned All-Mountain West recognition in 2016 - WR Michael Gallup (first team), OL Jake Bennett (second team) and QB Nick Stevens (honorable mention).
The Rams this week open Mountain West play with a trip to Hawai'i (9/30), playing the Rainbow Warriors on the road for the first time since 2013. Colorado State had a bye last week, and will have another in the final week of the regular season.
Colorado State's offense ranks sixth in FBS (1st MW) in fewest sacks allowed (0.5 per game; 2 total) and 13th (1st MW) in tackles-for-loss allowed (4.0).
The Rams have converted third-down attempts at a clip of 50 percent or better in each of their first four games and rank sixth in the nation (1st MW) at 54.2% for the year (32-59).
Defensively, the Rams rank third among all FBS schools in red zone defense (57.1%) and fifth in interceptions (7).
Senior QB Nick Stevens leads the MW and ranks 15th in FBS in passing yards per game (306.8) and also lead the MW in points responsible for (54).
Senior WR Michael Gallup ranks second in the MW and 11th in FBS in receptions per game (7.8) and ranks third in the MW (24th FBS) in receiving yards per game (96.3).

QUICK HITS - UTAH STATE

Matt Wells is in his fifth season as the head coach at Utah State.
The Aggies went to bowl games five consecutive years from 2011-15 before missing the postseason last year with a 3-9 (1-7 MW) record.
Utah State has a 3-2 record (1-0 MW) this season, coming off a pair of impressive wins. The Aggies opened league play with a 61-10 win at San Jose State, followed by a 40-24 victory at home over BYU.
Utah State is now 2-0 at home this season and is 28-6 in its last 34 home games, which includes a 20-6 record under Coach Wells.
Utah State leads the NCAA with 16 takeaways this season (nine fumbles, seven interceptions). They also lead the nation in defensive TDs (4).
Cornerback Jalen Davis was named CBS Sports National Player of the Week on Monday, following a 3-INT performance against BYU on Friday night. He returned two of them for TDs - one for 30 yards and one for 50 yards.
Senior QB Kent Myers is in his third year as a starter for the Aggies, and has thrown for 953 yards with 6 TDs and 7 INTs this season.
The Aggies rank 7th in the MW in total defense and 6th in total offense.

CSU-UTAH STATE - MATCHUP NOTES
The two programs have met 73 times, with the Rams holding a 37-34-2 advantage.
The Rams are 20-19-1 against the Aggies in Logan, but have lost the last two matchups, 2015 and 2013.
Colorado State's last win in Logan came in 2011, when the Rams beat the Aggies 35-34 in a double-overtime thriller.
Relieving an injured Collin Hill, quarterback Nick Stevens led the Rams on a game-tying and game-winning drive last year against the Aggies and has started every game since.

CSU ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMERS VS. UTAH STATE
The Rams have have had a 100-yard receiver in their last three contests against Utah State:

• 2016 - Michael Gallup - 140 yards
• 2015 - Rashard Higgins - 115 yards
• 2014 - Rashard Higgins - 187 yards

Colorado State has had seven 100-yard rushers against Utah State, including Dalyn Dawkins last season (14 carries, 125 yards). The Rams' best single-game rushing performance against the Aggies was Leonice Browns' 191 yards on 17 carries in 1994.

One of the most memorable performances in series history was that of kicker Jared Roberts in 2014. The senior made a game-tying 52-yard field goal, followed by a game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired in a homecoming sellout. The win was the Rams' fifth consecutive in a string of a nine straight victories.

The Rams are yet to have a 300-yard passer against Utah State.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME
CSU is now 2-0 in the new on-campus stadium. The Rams had a 5-1 record in home games in 2016, and have won eight of their last nine (and 18 of their last 22) games in the friendly confines of Fort Collins dating back to a win over UNLV on Nov. 14, 2015.

Over that nine-game stretch, CSU has averaged 37.6 points, with an average scoring margin of 15.4 points.

GOING FOR 500 (and 600)
CSU has eclipsed 500 yards of total offense three times this season, and reached 600-plus yards twice. Under Coach Bobo and offensive coordinator Will Friend, the Rams have exceeded 500 yards of total offense 12 times (4 in 2015, 5 in 2016, 3 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.

STEVENS HONORED FOR STANDOUT PERFORMANCE AT HAWAI'I
Senior QB Nick 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

RAMS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• K Wyatt Bryan: T-1st in FG percentage (1.000)
• WR Detrich Clark: 18th in receiving TDs (4)
• WR Michael Gallup: Third in receiving yards (597), ninth in receptions per game (7.8), eighth in receiving yards per game (119.4), 48th in all purpose yardage (119.4)
• S Jamal Hicks & CB Kevin Nutt, Jr.: T-22nd in interceptions (2)
• QB Nick Stevens: Seventh in passing yards (1,578), 12th in passing yards per game (315.6), 13th in total offense (330.2), 19th in completions per game (22.8)

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

Wyatt Bryan:
   • Two made field goals away from 7th all-time in career field goals made:
   6. Jon Poole - 38 FGs made - 1980-83)
   7. Ben DeLine - 36 - 2008-11
   8. Wyatt Bryan - 34 - 2015-Present
Dalyn Dawkins:
   • 297 yards from 10th all-time in career rushing yards:
   9. Alvin Lewis - 2,522 rushing yards - 1977-80
   10. Chris Nwoke - 2,455 - 2010-13
   -- Dalyn Dawkins - 2,158 - 2015-Present
Michael Gallup:
   • 4 yards away from 10th all-time in career receiving yards:
   8. Paul Turner - 2,060 receiving yards - 1993-97
   9. Todd Tyrrell - 1,994 - 1984-87
   10. J.D. Brookhart - 1,873 - 1985-87
   -- Michael Gallup - 1,869 - 2016-Present
   • 25 catches away from 10th all-time in career receptions:
   8. Pete Rebstock - 143 receptions - 1998-01
   9. Kory Sperry - 141 - 2004-08
   10. Dallas Davis - 140 - 1997-01
   -- Michael Gallup - 115 - 2016-Present
   • Currently ninth in career receiving TDs:
   2. Jeff Champine - 21 TDs - 1980-83
   T3. David Anderson - 20 - 2002-05
   T3. Kory Sperry - 20 - 2004-08
   5. Paul Turner - 19 - 1993-97
   6. Willie Miller - 18 - 1972-74
   T7. Mark Bell - 17 - 1975-78
   T7. Greg Primus - 17 - 1989-92
   9. Michael Gallup - 16 - 2016-Present
Izzy Matthews:
   • 2 touchdowns away from 10th all-time in career rushing touchdowns.
   T6. Gartrell Johnson - 24 TDs - 2004-08
   T6. Damon Washington - 24 - 1995-98
   T6. Oscar Reed - 24 - 1965-67
   T9. Lawrence McCutcheon - 23 - 1969-71
   T9. E.J. Watson - 23 - 1993-95
   -- Izzy Matthews - 21 - 2015-Present
Nick Stevens:
   • Sixth all-time in passing yards (6,334), 3 away from fifth:
   4. Moses Moreno - 6,986 - 1994-97
   5. Caleb Hanie - 6,337 - 2004-07
   6. Nick Stevens - 6,334 - 2014-Present
   • Sixth all-time in completions (469), 11 away from tying for fifth:
   4. Caleb Hanie - 495 - 2004-07
   5. Moses Moreno - 480 - 1994-97
   6. Nick Stevens - 469 - 2014-Present
   • Second all-time in passing TDs, 11 away from tying for first:
   1. Garrett Grayson - 64 - 2011-14
   2. Nick Stevens - 53 - 2014-Present
   • Ninth all-time in pass attempts, 3 away from tying for eighth:
   7. Bradlee Van Pelt - 792 - 2001-03
   8. Matt Newton - 762 - 1997-00
   9. Nick Stevens - 759 - 2014-Present

STEVENS PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Nick Stevens' passing efficiency rating (171.3) ranked fifth in FBS in 2016. His 9.63 yards-per-pass-attempt average ranked fourth, his 15.01 passing yards-per-completion mark ranked seventh and his 64.2 completion percentage ranked 17th.

In the first game of 2017, the redshirt senior picked up right where he left off, passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in the Week 0 win over Oregon State. The game marked Stevens' eighth consecutive with multiple touchdown passes, and third in a row with three or more touchdowns. His three TDs versus Oregon State gave him 44 for his career and moved him into third all-time at CSU in passing touchdowns, leaping Matt Newton (42 TDs, 1998-2000). His career TD total is now up to 49.

Stevens' multi-TD streak came to an end in game No. 2 against Colorado, but the redshirt senior still passed for 309 yards against a team that ranked fifth in the country in passing-efficiency defense last season. It was his third consecutive game with more than 300 passing yards and the fifth such game of his career.

The Murrieta, Calif., native again eclipsed 300 yards passing in game No. 3 against Abilene Christian, tossing for 337 and three TDs. Stevens has thrown multiple TD passes in nine of his last 10 outings.

In a matchup against No. 1 Alabama, Stevens passed for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a touchdown on the ground. His 247 yards eclipsed 15 of the last 16 quarterbacks to play in Tuscaloosa, and the Rams' 23 points against the Tide were the most by a non-Power 5 conference school since 2007.

Stevens went 18-for-22 for 351 yards and 4 TDs at Hawaii to open MW play. He went 12-for-12 from the beginning of the second quarter onward.

LIKE MIKE
In 2016, wide receiver Michael Gallup ranked ninth in FBS for receiving touchdowns, 13th for receiving yards (first in Mountain West), 15th for receiving yards per game (97.8) and 32nd for receptions per game (5.8). He scored at least one touchdown in each of his final eight games, including three apiece in the final two.

Over the final eight games of his junior season (from Oct. 2 forward), Gallup averaged 128.0 receiving yards per game, the fifth-most in FBS during that span (prior to that point, he ranked 181st).

Through Week 5 of the 2017 season, Gallup ranks third in the country with 597 receiving yards and ninth in receptions per game (7.8). He has three 100-yard games already on the year (including a 212-yard performance at Hawaii - his second-highest total of his career), and 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.

Gallup now has eight 100-yard games in his career, the fifth-most in program history. The Georgia-native has eight 100-yard outings in just 16 career games played.

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.

BOBO KNOWS TALENT
Of the 71 CSU student-athletes who have appeared in a game this season, 36 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 conference on notice. P Ryan Stonehouse left Tuscaloosa ranking 11th in the country with a 47.9-yard average punt, and WR Warren Jackson caught two touchdowns against No. 1 ranked Alabama. DL Ellison Hubbard, LB Patrick Moody and LB Emmanuel Jones have played in all four games on the defensive front, and TE Cameron Butler has started three games at tight end. OL Scott Brooks, CB Darius Campbell, RB Marcus McElroy, 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 12 true freshmen this season - the seventh-most in the NCAA.

NO-FLY ZONE?
In 13 games last season, the Rams defense had eight interceptions. Through five games in 2017, they have seven. Three different players--Anthony Hawkins, Tre Thomas and Josh Watson--picked off passes in Week 0. Then, a pair of Rams had 2-INT outings - Kevin Nutt, Jr. (vs. Colorado) and Jamal Hicks (vs. Abilene Christian).

Nutt Jr.'s performance marked the first multi-interception game by a Ram since Tyree Simmons in 2014, and it's the first time since 2014 (A. Davis & M. Morgan) that multiple linebackers recorded interceptions in the same season.

FOUR-HEADED MONSTER
CSU featured four running backs that had at least eight carries against the Beavers in Week 0. Dalyn Dawkins led with 15 rushes for 67 yards and a TD (plus a receiving TD). Both Marvin Kinsey, Jr., and Izzy Matthews also reached the end zone, and redshirt freshman Rashaad Boddie (8-56-7.0 ypc) ranked second in rushing productivity for the Rams.

In addition to those four, Coach Bobo has also complimented a pair of other running backs--redshirt freshman Darius May and true freshman Marcus McElroy--during the offseason. McElroy made his debut against Oregon State in a special teams role, and then had two carries for nine yards against ACU, while May recorded his first career carry late at Hawaii on Sept. 30.

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 has won two of the last three meetings against Utah State – and is 37-33-2 overall – but is looking for its first win in Logan since a double-overtime thriller in 2011.
The Rams and Wolf Pack will play 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.

GREEN AND GLOBAL - SERVICE AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN JAMAICA

13 student-athletes and four staff members traveled to Petersfield, Jamaica from May 18-28.
The athletes experienced cultural immersion, social action and community-based learning. Students were hosted by local families, with 2-4 students per home.
Participating football players: Deonte Clyburn, Zack Golditch, Houston Haynes, Levi Osborn, Nate Ryken.
CSU's student-athletes have seen their opportunities expand dramatically in recent years. The most visible expansion of the student-athlete experience has come in the way of investments in nutrition, facilities and academic support to further fulfill the department's mission to Educate, Engage and Excel.
The trip was organized by Dr. Albert Bimper, CSU's senior associate athletic director for diversity and inclusion.
Bimper was a 2006 CSU graduate and four-year starting center on the football team (2002-05).

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Game Notes: Colorado State to visit Utah State Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Jake Bennett

Rashaad Boddie

Scott Brooks

Wyatt Bryan

Cam Butler

Darius Campbell

Detrich Clark

Deonte Clyburn

Dalyn Dawkins

Michael Gallup

Zack Golditch

Anthony Hawkins

Houston Haynes

Jamal Hicks

Collin Hill

Ellison Hubbard

Warren Jackson

Manny Jones

Izzy Matthews

Darius May

Marcus McElroy, Jr.

Patrick Moody

Levi Osborn

Livingston Paogofie

Joctavis Phillips

Nate Ryken

Tyree Simmons

Tyler Smith

Nick Stevens

Ryan Stonehouse

Corte Tapia

Tre Thomas

Jadon Walker

Josh Watson

Darius Wise

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