Colorado State University Athletics
Pick Six: Six takeaways from CSU’s 42-14 win over San Jose State
11/19/2017 7:34:00 PM | Football
Rams win big on Senior Day to close out regular season
The Colorado State Rams celebrated Senior Day with a 42-14 victory over the visiting San Jose State Spartans.
CSU's offense dominated, and the defense held strong as the Rams rolled to a convincing victory that was a fitting tribute to the team's 23 seniors.
The Rams improved to 7-5 (5-3 MW) and were successful on the field both during and after the game on Saturday...
600 YARDS FOR THE FOURTH TIME
The Rams' offense produced 606 total yards on Saturday, topping the 600-yard mark for a school-record fourth time this season. The previous high was three 600-yard games in 2013.
It was the seventh time the team has eclipsed 500 yards in a game this season. The Rams have had 500+ total yards 16 times under Head Coach Mike Bobo and Offensive Coordinator Will Friend (since 2015).
CSU recorded nine plays of 20-plus yards in the game, including this 35-yard scamper from senior Dalyn Dawkins:
DEFENSE COMES UP BIG WITH BIG PLAYS
The Spartans reached the end zone on their first offensive possession of the game. For the next 48:01, they were held scoreless by a stalwart Rams defense.
CSU benefitted from several big plays, including two game-changers from junior linebacker Josh Watson. He recorded a big sack on an SJSU third-and-three…
… and an interception in the end zone…
Senior linebacker Kiel Robinson got in the Spartans' backfield, as well.
STEVENS GRABS ANOTHER RECORD
Senior signal-caller Nick Stevens threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, and did so very efficiently, completing over 80 percent of passes (26-of-32). It was the fifth time this season that the Californian quarterback had multiple TD passes with zero interceptions in a game.
Stevens reached the 300-yard plateau for the seventh time this season, setting a CSU record. CSU QBs had totaled 300 yards six times in a season three times prior (Garrett Grayson twice, Terry Nugent once), but Stevens is the first with seven such games in a single year.
BONUS: CSU is the only school in the FBS with a QB boasting 3,400-plus yards, a running back with 1,300-plus yards and a receiver with 1,300-plus yards.
Dawkins went over 1,300 yards with a 138-yard performance on the ground on Saturday. He also showed off his pass-catching skills:
FRESHMEN IN THE END ZONE
Two CSU freshmen accounted for three of the squad's touchdowns against SJSU.
Running back Rashaad Boddie had a pair of TDs in the first quarter, becoming the first Ram to have multiple touchdowns in consecutive weeks this season.
Tight end Cameron Butler had a career-high 79 receiving yards, including this 50-yard score:
RAMS FANS SET NEW TOP MARK
Stevens wasn't the only one setting records on Saturday. CSU set a single-season attendance record this year, averaging 32,062 fans per contest, with a total attendance of 192,369.
The previous records were 31,292 per game in 1998 (4 games) and 187,344 total in 1994 (6 games).
BENNETT WAS THE REAL WINNER ON SATURDAY
Senior center Jake Bennett has started 41 consecutive games, and helps anchor one of the top offensive lines in the country. He has the attention of NFL scouts. The Rams have reached the postseason in all five of his seasons on campus.
His biggest moment on the home field of the Rams came AFTER his final game in Fort Collins, however.
Just watch:
Bennett will enter the Rams' season-ending bye week as an engaged man.
CSU's offense dominated, and the defense held strong as the Rams rolled to a convincing victory that was a fitting tribute to the team's 23 seniors.
The Rams improved to 7-5 (5-3 MW) and were successful on the field both during and after the game on Saturday...
600 YARDS FOR THE FOURTH TIME
The Rams' offense produced 606 total yards on Saturday, topping the 600-yard mark for a school-record fourth time this season. The previous high was three 600-yard games in 2013.
It was the seventh time the team has eclipsed 500 yards in a game this season. The Rams have had 500+ total yards 16 times under Head Coach Mike Bobo and Offensive Coordinator Will Friend (since 2015).
CSU recorded nine plays of 20-plus yards in the game, including this 35-yard scamper from senior Dalyn Dawkins:
Another day, another big run for @DDawk1. pic.twitter.com/1UVrvtbkcJ
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) November 18, 2017
DEFENSE COMES UP BIG WITH BIG PLAYS
The Spartans reached the end zone on their first offensive possession of the game. For the next 48:01, they were held scoreless by a stalwart Rams defense.
CSU benefitted from several big plays, including two game-changers from junior linebacker Josh Watson. He recorded a big sack on an SJSU third-and-three…
.@JoshWatson40 puts an end to that SJSU drive. pic.twitter.com/gpGRGk6qTo
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) November 18, 2017
… and an interception in the end zone…
.@richardking303 got a ? on it.
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) November 18, 2017
Then @JoshWatson40 picked it off. pic.twitter.com/NX2uJH9Afv
Senior linebacker Kiel Robinson got in the Spartans' backfield, as well.
A Senior Day sack! @KielARobinson puts an end to the SJSU drive! pic.twitter.com/cm9LVXYkRm
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) November 18, 2017
STEVENS GRABS ANOTHER RECORD
Senior signal-caller Nick Stevens threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, and did so very efficiently, completing over 80 percent of passes (26-of-32). It was the fifth time this season that the Californian quarterback had multiple TD passes with zero interceptions in a game.
Stevens reached the 300-yard plateau for the seventh time this season, setting a CSU record. CSU QBs had totaled 300 yards six times in a season three times prior (Garrett Grayson twice, Terry Nugent once), but Stevens is the first with seven such games in a single year.
BONUS: CSU is the only school in the FBS with a QB boasting 3,400-plus yards, a running back with 1,300-plus yards and a receiver with 1,300-plus yards.
Dawkins went over 1,300 yards with a 138-yard performance on the ground on Saturday. He also showed off his pass-catching skills:
Do you play football?
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) November 18, 2017
Sorry, but @DDawk1 is probably better than you. pic.twitter.com/mhcdXIJ0go
FRESHMEN IN THE END ZONE
Two CSU freshmen accounted for three of the squad's touchdowns against SJSU.
Running back Rashaad Boddie had a pair of TDs in the first quarter, becoming the first Ram to have multiple touchdowns in consecutive weeks this season.
Another TD for @BigBoddie28! That's 2?? in the 1st quarter for the freshman! pic.twitter.com/hy7TiSpTBG
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) November 18, 2017
Tight end Cameron Butler had a career-high 79 receiving yards, including this 50-yard score:
50 yards from @stevens7nick to @1Cameronbutler
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) November 18, 2017
?? pic.twitter.com/CfiJoBhqOg
RAMS FANS SET NEW TOP MARK
Stevens wasn't the only one setting records on Saturday. CSU set a single-season attendance record this year, averaging 32,062 fans per contest, with a total attendance of 192,369.
?? THANK YOU FANS: You have set a CSU single-season attendance record!#CSURams pic.twitter.com/cwDqwOVrSZ
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) November 18, 2017
The previous records were 31,292 per game in 1998 (4 games) and 187,344 total in 1994 (6 games).
BENNETT WAS THE REAL WINNER ON SATURDAY
Senior center Jake Bennett has started 41 consecutive games, and helps anchor one of the top offensive lines in the country. He has the attention of NFL scouts. The Rams have reached the postseason in all five of his seasons on campus.
His biggest moment on the home field of the Rams came AFTER his final game in Fort Collins, however.
Just watch:
Bennett will enter the Rams' season-ending bye week as an engaged man.
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