Game Notes: CSU to host San Jose State in regular season finale

Colorado State (6-5, 4-3 MW) vs. San Jose State (1-10, 0-6 MW)
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 | 1:30 p.m. MT
Sonny Lubick Field at CSU Stadium (36,500 / 41,000 SRO) | Fort Collins, Colo.

QUICK HITS - COLORADO STATE

CSU celebrates Senior Day as the Rams host San Jose State, honoring 23 seniors in a pregame ceremony. It is the final regular season game for the bowl-eligible Rams, who have a bye in the final week of the season.
The Rams are bowl-eligible and seek to play in a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season, something done only one time in school history (1999-2003).
Colorado State ranks 14th in the FBS in total offense (491.5) and 23rd in passing offense (288.5). Both figures lead the MW.
The Rams have allowed only eight total sacks in 11 games this season and rank fifth in all of FBS for fewest sacks allowed (0.73 per game).
Colorado State leads the MW and ranks third in the FBS in third-down conversions (50.7%) and second (1st MW) in first downs earned (279; 25.4 per game).
Biletnikoff Award and All-America candidate Michael Gallup is the FBS active career leader in receiving yards per game (107.1 in 24 games) and is No. 2 among active players in career receptions per game (6.79). He leads the nation in receiving yards per game (118.0) and receiving yards (1,298), and ranks fourth in receptions per game (7.9).
QB Nick Stevens ranks 8th in the FBS in passing yards (3,174), 10th in passing TDs (24) and 16th in passing yards per game (288.5). His yardage and touchdown totals are career highs. Stevens has now recorded just the sixth 3,000-yard passing season in program history.
RB Dalyn Dawkins ranks 12th among all FBS players in rushing yards (1,211) and has topped the 100-yard mark in six of the last seven games.
CSU is on pace to break the school record for total offense, averaging 491.5 yards per game (previous record: 480.9 in 2014).

QUICK HITS - SAN JOSE STATE

San Jose State is 1-10 on the season and 0-6 in MW play. Its lone win came against Cal Poly on Sept. 2, a 34-13 decision.
Brent Brennan is in his first season as the head coach of the Spartans. He was an assistant at SJSU from 2005-10, then coached wide receivers at Oregon State from 2011-16.
Junior linebacker Frank Ginda leads the FBS in total tackles (152) and solo tackles (82). He was the first player in the FBS to both 100 and 150 tackles this season.
SJSU is winless in six road games this season. Its last road win was at Fresno State to close the 2016 season.
Running back Tyler Nevens leads all MW freshmen in carries with 143. That total ranks sixth among all freshmen in the FBS.
Senior punter Michael Carrizosa was a 2015 second-team All-American in 2015 and a Ray Guy Award finalist.
Three SJSU players have played on both sides of the ball this season: Dominic Fredrickson, Owen Roberts and Bryson Bridges.
Junior Bryce Crawford is the first San José State kicker to kick four field goals of 50 or more yards in a season and a career.
Four players have played quarterback for the Spartans this season. Sam Allen played QB and was a special teams defender against Cal Poly, and he is believed to be the first SJSU player to do both in a single game.

SERIES NOTES & NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Saturday marks the ninth meeting between the two programs. The current series is tied 4-4.
CSU and SJSU have met twice times since San Jose State joined the MW in 2013. Those two meetings occurred in consecutive seasons (2013, 2014).
The Rams and Spartans also met in 2011 and 2012 as non-conference foes. From 2011-14, the two squads played four consecutive seasons.
SJSU won in the first meeting in 1961, a 14-0 victory in San Jose. CSU avenged the loss three seasons later in Fort Collins, 14-3. The two teams did not play again until 1996.
Top CSU offensive performances all-time against SJSU:

   Rushing:
   - Damon Washington - 23 carries, 106 yards (1996)
   - Dee Hart - 24 carries, 104 yards (2014)
   Receiving:
   - Lou Greenwood - 6 catches, 149 yards, 2 TDs
   - Rashard Higgins - 8 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD
   Passing:
   - Pete Thomas - 28-of-43, 387 yards, 3 TDs
   - Moses Moreno - 19-of-23, 359 yards, 2 TDs

DANGEROUS DALYN
Senior RB Dalyn Dawkins has emerged this season as not only one of the Mountain West's premier running backs, but also one of the nation's most consistent. The speedster ranks 12th in the country with 1,211 rushing yards and has rushed for more than 100 yards in six of seven Mountain West games this season. It is the first time in his career that Dawkins has eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season, and he's on pace to become just the sixth player in school history to lead the team in rushing three consecutive seasons.

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 seven times on the ground—the most in a season during his career—and caught a touchdown in the season opener against Oregon State.

Dawkins now ranks fifth in CSU history with 2,997 career yards and his 15 100-yard games is the second-most in program history. With 3 more rushing yards, Dawkins will become just the fifth back in CSU history to have 3,000 career rush yards.

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.

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LIKE MIKE
Through Week 11 of the 2017 season, Michael Gallup ranks first in the country with 1,298 receiving yards, first in receiving yards per game (118.0) and fourth in receptions per game (7.9). He has six 100-yard games on the year, and a pair of 200-yard performances (212 at Hawai'i, 263 vs. Nevada). In a matchup against No. 1 Alabama, Gallup went up against a secondary that included 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 12 100-yard games in his career, which is tied for fourth in program history. His career average of 107.1 yards per game leads all active FBS players and his 6.9 receptions per game ranks second among active players.

The Monroe, Ga., native now ranks sixth all-time in receiving yards at CSU, recording 2,570 in 24 games as a Ram. He is tied for second in career receiving TDs (21).

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.

STEVENS STARS FOR CSU
Senior QB Nick Stevens has had an incredibly productive 2017 season. Stevens ranks eighth in the FBS in passing yards (3,174), 10th in passing TDs (24) and 16th in passing yards per game (288.5). He has recorded just the sixth 3,000-yard passing season in CSU history.

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

Stevens is also now CSU's all-time leader in passing touchdowns. He set the record against Boise State on Nov. 11 on his 912th career pass attempt, in his 31st start. Grayson started 35 games as a Ram and finished his career with a school-record 1,113 pass attempts.

RAMS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• K Wyatt Bryan: Seventh in field goal percentage (88.2).
• RB Dalyn Dawkins: 16th in rushing yards (1,050), 21st in all purpose yards (136.4), 21st in yards per carry (6.3), 20th in rush yards per game (110.1)
• WR Michael Gallup: First in receiving yards (1,298), fourth in receptions per game (7.9), first in receiving yards per game (118.0).
• WR Olabisi Johnson: 36th in punt return average (7.6).
• QB Nick Stevens: Eighth in passing yards (3,174), 10th in passing touchdowns (24), 16th in passing yards per game (288.5), 19th in total offense per game (298.6), 24th in completions per game (21.2), 22nd in passer efficiency rating (149.0), 16th in passing yards per completion (14.0).
• P Ryan Stonehouse: Third in gross punting average (47.6).

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.

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.

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 six 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 15 times (4 in 2015, 5 in 2016, 6 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.

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 later wore against Boise State on Nov. 11.

"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 57-46-5 advantage in the series.
Boise State improved to 7-0 all-time against the Rams, winning 59-52 in overtime in Fort Collins.
CSU is 4-4 all-time against San José State, winning in the most-recent meeting, in 2014 in San Jose.

#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: CSU to host San Jose State in regular season finale

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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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