Game Notes: Colorado State set for Border War at Wyoming

Colorado State (6-3, 4-1 MW) at Wyoming (5-3, 3-1 MW)
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 | 5 p.m. MT
War Memorial Stadium (29,181) | Laramie, Wyo.

QUICK HITS - COLORADO STATE

Colorado State goes on the road for the fifth time in its last seven games, taking a road record of 3-1 on the season to Wyoming. The Rams, 3-0 in MW road games this season, have won three consecutive away games and five of their last seven dating back to last season.
Strong finishes have been one of the hallmarks of Mike Bobo's Rams teams. Under Bobo (2015-present), Colorado State is 7-1 in the month of November, including a 4-1 road record in November.
The Rams are 4-1 in Mountain West play, trailing only first-place Boise State (4-0), the MW's lone remaining undefeated team. The only other one-loss MW teams are Wyoming (3-10 and West division leader Fresno State (4-1).
Colorado State ranks 13th in the FBS in total offense (499.0) and 17th in passing offense (306.1). Both figures lead the MW.
The Rams have allowed only four total sacks in nine games this season and rank third in all of FBS for fewest sacks allowed (0.44 per game).
Colorado State leads the MW and ranks third in the FBS in first downs earned (228; 25.3 per game) and fourth in third-down conversions (52.5%; 2nd MW).
WR Michael Gallup is the FBS active career leader in receiving yards per game (110.9 in 22 games). He leads the nation in receiving yards (1,167) and receiving yards per game (129.7) and third in receptions per game (8.0).
QB Nick Stevens ranks 3rd in the FBS in passing yards (2,755), 8th in passing TDs (22) and 12th in passing yards per game (306.1).

QUICK HITS - WYOMING

Wyoming is 5-3 (3-1 MW) on the season. Its only league loss was a 24-14 road defeat at Boise State. Their other losses are both to Power 5 programs - Iowa and Oregon.
The Cowboys are coming off a 42-3 win over New Mexico in Laramie. Wyoming forced a program-record seven turnovers in the win.
The offense is led by junior quarterback Josh Allen, who is sixth on Mel Kiper's latest Big Board on ESPN. He has 1,450 passing yards (12-6 TD-INT ratio) with a 123.82 passer efficiency rating. He also has 4 rushing TDs.
Senior linebacker Andrew Wingard leads the defense with 9.6 tackles per game, which ranks 18th in the nation.
Wyoming is 4-1 at home this year, with the lone loss coming against Oregon.
The Cowboys rank second nationally (first in the MW) in interceptions with 14.
Wyoming also boasts the nation's 23rd-best scoring defense (19.3 points allowed per game).
Their plus-2 turnover margin leads the FBS, and they lead in total turnovers gained (24).
Craig Bohl is in his fourth season as the head coach of Wyoming. He previously led North Dakota State to three consecutive FCS national titles (2011-13). Wyoming is 19-27 under Bohl, including an 8-6 record last year and a berth in the Poinsettia Bowl against BYU (lost 24-21). It was Wyoming's first bowl appearance since 2011.

BORDER WAR
The Rams and Cowboys will play for the 107th time on Saturday (in addition to a 1899 Wyoming forfeit), a series that dates back to 1899. Not only is it the longest continuous rivalry west of the Mississippi River – playing every season since 1946 – but it is also the Rams' longest active series. CSU has played – and beaten – Wyoming more than any other opponent.

SERIES NOTES

CSU and Wyoming have met on the gridiron 107 times (in addition to a Wyoming forfeit in 1899 in the series' first meeting).
All-time, the Rams hold a 57-45-5 advantage over their rivals to the north, including a 31-22-1 mark in Fort Collins.
Since the start of the Sonny Lubick Era in 1993, CSU has won 15 of 24 meetings in the series.
Wyoming holds a 25-24 series edge since the Bronze Boot became the series' official travelling trophy in 1968.

DANGEROUS DALYN
Senior RB Dalyn Dawkins has emerged this season as not only one of the Mountain West premier running backs, but also one of the nation's most consistent. The speedster ranks 15th in the country with 896 rushing yards and has rushed for over 100 yards in four of five Mountain West games this season.

Against Nevada, Dawkins carried 17 times and ran for a career-high 191 yards. Just two weeks later against Air Force, he rushed for 141 yards including a touchdown rush of 76 yards, the longest run of his career. He's found the end zone five times on the groud—the most in a season during his career—and caught a touchdown in the season opener against Oregon State.

Dawkins now ranks seventh in CSU history with 2,282 career yards and his 13 100-yard games ties for the third most in program history.

STREAKING IN THE END ZONE
A number of Rams have had a nose for the end zone so far in Mountain West play and are on notable touchdown streaks. RB Izzy Matthews has rushed for a touchdown in all five Mountain West games this season—including a pair of touchdowns at Hawai'i—and dating back to last year, has rushed for at least one touchdown in 12 consecutive conference games.

QB Nick Stevens has thrown multiple touchdowns in seven consecutive games—dating back to Colorado (Sept. 1)—and 11 Mountain West games in a row.

GOING BOWLING
With the Week 8 win at New Mexico, the Rams clinched bowl eligibility for the fifth consecutive season – something that has only been done once before, from 1999-2003. CSU has qualified for the postseason all three years under Head Coach Mike Bobo, playing in the Arizona Bowl in 2015 and Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2016.

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.

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 9 of the 2017 season, Michael Gallup ranks first in the country with 1,167 receiving yards, first in receiving yards per game (129.7) and third in receptions per game (8.0). He has five 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 55 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.

In the first three games of Mountain West play, (Sept. 30 at Hawai'i, Oct. 7 at Utah State, Oct. 14 vs. Nevada), Gallup 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 11 100-yard games in his career, the fifth-most in program history. His career average of 110.9 yards per game leads all active FBS players.

The Monroe, Ga., native now ranks sixth all-time in receiving yards at CSU, recording 2,439 in 22 games as a Ram. He is also tied for fifth in receiving TDs (20) 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
The homecoming matchup against Nevada marked the second sellout of the season and the fourth 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 public tickets for the Oct. 28 game vs. Air Force also sold out.

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 20 home 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.

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 3rd in the FBS in passing yards (2,755), 8th in passing TDs (22) and 12th in passing yards per game (306.1).

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 second all-time at CSU in passing yards (7,506) and fourth in completions (551), while ascending to fourth place in pass attempts (891). He remains second in passing touchdowns, but with two last Saturday, to reach 63 for his career, is now just one 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).

In the win at New Mexico, the signal-caller passed for a season-low 231 yards but still completed over 50 percent of his passes and threw two touchdowns with no interceptions.

His streak of 18 consecutive quarters without an interception was broken the following week against Air Force (Oct. 29), but Stevens still completed over 50 percent of his passes and threw for two touchdowns.

RAMS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• K Wyatt Bryan: 19th in field goal percentage (85.7).
• RB Dalyn Dawkins: 15th in rushing yards (896).
• WR Michael Gallup: First in receiving yards (1,167), third in receptions per game (8.0), first in receiving yards per game (129.7), 28th in receiving touchdowns (6).
• WR Olabisi Johnson: 33rd in punt return average (7.6).
• QB Nick Stevens: Third in passing yards (2,755), eight in passing touchdowns (22), 12th in passing yards per game (306.1), 16th in total offense per game (315.3), 25th in completions per game (21.2), 21st in passer efficiency rating (151.6), 16th in passing yards per completion (14.1).
• P Ryan Stonehouse: Third in punting average (48.6).

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

Wyatt Bryan:
   FGs Made-
   T-4. Jared Roberts - 42 - 2012-14
   T-4. Steve DeLine - 42 - 1984-86
   5. Wyatt Bryan - 39 - 2015-Present
Dalyn Dawkins:
   Rushing Yards-
   5. Lawrence McCutcheon - 2,917 -1969-71
   6. Gartrell Johnson - 2,776 - 2004-08
   7. Dalyn Dawkins - 2,682 - 2015-Present
Michael Gallup:
   Receiving Yards-
   4. Jeff Champine - 2,811 - 1980-83
   5. Willie Miller - 2,735 - 1972-74
   6. Michael Gallup - 2,439 - 2016-Present
   Receptions-
   5. Johnny Walker - 172 - 2004-07
   6. Kelli McGregor - 153 - 1981-84
   T-7. Willie Miller - 148 - 1972-74
   T-7. Michael Gallup - 148 - 2016-Present
   Receiving TDs-
   1. Rashard Higgins - 31 - 2013-15
   2. Jeff Champine - 21 - 1980-83
   T-3. David Anderson - 20 - 2002-05
   T-3. Kory Sperry - 20 - 2004-08
   T-3. Michael Gallup - 20 - 2016-Present

Izzy Matthews:
   Rushing TDs-
   1. Steve Bartalo - 46 - 1983-86
   2. Todd Yert - 36 - 1987-90
   3. Kapri Bibbs - 31 -2013
   4. Cecil Sapp - 29 - 1999-02
   T-5. Bradlee Van Pelt - 26 2001-03
   T-5. Kevin McDougal - 26 - 1996-99
   7. Izzy Matthews - 25 - 2015-Present
Nick Stevens:
   Passing Yards-
   1. Garrett Grayson - 9,191 - 2011-14
   2. Nick Stevens - 7,506 - 2014-Present
   3. Kelly Stouffer - 7,142 - 1984-86
   4. Terry Nugent - 7,103 - 1980-83
   Completions-
   2. Kelly Stouffer - 577 - 1984-86
   3. Terry Nugent - 569 - 1980-83
   4. Nick Stevens - 551 - 2014-Present
   Passing TDs-
   1. Garrett Grayson - 64 - 2011-14
   2. Nick Stevens - 63 - 2014-Present
   Pass Attempts-
   1. Garrett Grayson - 1,085 - 2011-14
   2. Kelly Stouffer - 1,015 - 1984-86
   3. Terry Nugent - 1,009 - 1980-83
   4. Nick Stevens - 891 - 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 first in the country, averaging 48.7 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 20 tackles and 2.0 sacks, while Ellison Hubbard has 13 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.

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 now beaten New Mexico eight consecutive times and hold a 41-25 advantage in the series.
CSU fell to Air Force on Oct. 28, marking the first time in the series since 2011 that the visiting team won.
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 set for Border War at Wyoming

Players Mentioned

Jake Bennett

Scott Brooks

Wyatt Bryan

Cam Butler

Jakob Buys

Darius Campbell

Detrich Clark

Deonte Clyburn

Evan Colorito

Dalyn Dawkins

Dalton Fackrell

Jordan Fogal

Michael Gallup

Zack Golditch

Houston Haynes

Ellison Hubbard

Warren Jackson

Arjay Jean

Olabisi Johnson

Manny Jones

Richard King

Izzy Matthews

Marcus McElroy, Jr.

Patrick Moody

Trae Moxley

Levi Osborn

Livingston Paogofie

Joctavis Phillips

Nate Ryken

Jake Schlager

Caleb Smith

Tyler Smith

Nick Stevens

Ryan Stonehouse

Corte Tapia

Tre Thomas

Jadon Walker

Darius Wise

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