Game Notes: CSU hosts Oregon State to open season, on-campus stadium

Colorado State vs. Oregon State
Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 | 12:30 p.m. MT
CSU Stadium (36,500) | Fort Collins, Colo.

Quick Hits - Colorado State

Mike Bobo is entering his third year as the head coach at Colorado State. He has 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).
CSU went 5-1 at home in 2016, the final season at Hughes Stadium. The Rams closed the door on the 49-year-old stadium on Nov. 19, 2016, with a 49-31 win over New Mexico.
After starting three different quarterbacks through the first three games of 2016, the Rams' offense got into a rhythm midway through the year. Over the final six games, CSU averaged 47.8 points and 533.8 yards per game, figures which ranked 2nd and 4th, respectively, in all of FBS from Oct. 16 forward. Overall, the Rams ranked 28th in FBS in scoring offense and 30th in total offense; on Oct. 16, they ranked 96th and 75th in those two categories.
CSU scored 53 of 56 times it reached the red zone (94.6%), a figure which ranks 4th in FBS and is the best in school history dating back to at least 2005.
CSU scored first in its final eight games, doing so on its first drive six times. Overall, the Rams out-scored opponents 131-73 in the first quarter in 2016.

Quick Hits - Oregon State

Gary Andersen is entering his third year as the head coach at Oregon State. The Beavers are 6-18 under Andersen.
The Beavers went 4-8 last season, with a 3-6 mark in Pac-12 play.
Oregon State won its last two games of the season, beating Arizona 42-17 and coming from behind to beat Oregon 34-24.
The Beavers last bowl appearance was the 2013 Hawai'i Bowl, in which they defeated MW foe Boise State 38-23.
The Beavers return leading rusher Ryan Nall, who nearly reached the 1,000-yard plateau last season (951 yards, 13 TDs, 6.5 ypc). His 13 TDs ranked 18th nationally.
Overall, the Beavers ranked 49th in the NCAA in rushing (191.7 yards per game).
Oregon State ranked 44th in the nation in passing yards allowed a year ago (211.2).
Senior linebacker Manase Hungalu is the team's returning tackler. He had 83 stops (three for loss) last season.
Andersen was previously the head coach at Wisconsin (2013-14), where he led the Badgers to the Big Ten Conference West Division championship. He was a semifinalist for the 2013 Maxwell Coach of the Year Award.

CSU IN SEASON OPENERS

CSU is 60-57-1 (.513) all-time in season openers.
That includes a 22-15-1 (.592) mark in home openers. The Rams have not lost a home opener since 1993 (23-9 loss to Oregon). CSU is 5-0 in home openers since 1995.
The last time CSU began its season in August was in 2014, when the Rams beat Colorado in Denver, 31-17.
August 26 is the earliest that the Rams have begun a season since 2002, when they kicked off the college football season with a 35-29 win at No. 22 Virginia.

WEEK 0 - HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

CSU originally was slated to begin its 2017 season against Colorado in Denver for the Rocky Mountain Showdown on Sept. 1.
Upon the release of the MW conference schedule (March 2), CSU learned it would play 12 consecutive weeks before its only bye week in the final week of the regular season.
Eleven days later, on March 13, it was announced that CSU and Oregon State agreed to move its contest (originally scheduled for Sept. 23) to August 26, during 'Week 0' of the college football season. The adjustment allowed CSU to have a bye week between its Sept. 16 game at Alabama and its Sept. 30 matchup at Hawai'i.
Head Coach Mike Bobo on March 13: "The first thing that stood out to us when we saw our conference schedule was that we open conference play with back-to-back road games and that we would not have a bye until the final week of the regular season. Playing 12 consecutive weeks without a bye is a significant challenge, so we began to look at our non-conference schedule, and the Oregon State game was the logical date. Fortunately, they also saw benefit with their schedule, and we were able to make the switch fairly quickly. We all are excited about the opening of the new stadium and playing football on campus, and now we get to celebrate that historic day sooner than we all expected."

CSU-OREGON STATE CONNECTIONS

Beavers Assistant Coach (tight ends) Dave Baldwin was CSU's offensive coordinator for three seasons (2012-14), and was the Rams' interim head coach during the 2014 Las Vegas Bowl.
CSU senior linebacker Evan Colorito is from Beaverton, Ore. - about an hour and a half from Corvallis.

POSITION BREAKDOWN
Colorado State returns 43 letterwinners from the 2016 squad that qualified for a fourth consecutive bowl game, including 14 starters (six on offense, eight on defense). Among those returning are All-Mountain West performers Michael Gallup (first team), Jake Bennett (second team) and Nick Stevens (honorable mention).

Quarterbacks:
Redshirt senior Nick Stevens boasted the nation's highest pass-efficiency rating from Oct. 11 to the end of the season.
A year after being named second-team All-MW, Stevens earned honorable mention consideration, despite not playing for the majority of the first half of the season.
Behind Stevens, sophomore Collin Hill started four contests as a true freshman. His pass-efficiency rating ranked 34th in FBS when his season ended on Oct. 8 due to a knee injury.
Hill ranked in the top five amongst FBS freshman quarterbacks in passer efficiency rating (5th), passing yards per game (5th), and passing yards per completion (2nd) at the time of his injury.

Running Backs:
The Rams return all three of their primary backs from 2016 in Dalyn Dawkins, Izzy Matthews and Marvin Kinsey, Jr., a trio that combined for 2,199 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns.
CSU was the only team in the nation with three running backs with 500-plus rushing yards and at least three touchdowns apiece.
Dawkins was the Rams' No. 1 back, finishing with 919 net rushing yards and 5.7 yards per carry. He had four consecutive 100-yard rushing performances to close the season.
Matthews totalled 734 yards and a team-high 13 rushing touchdowns. The 13 rushing scores were tied for the sixth-most in CSU single-season history and included eight consecutive games with a score to finish the season.
As a true freshman, Kinsey rushed for 546 yards (seventh-most ever by a CSU true freshman) and scored seven times.
Redshirt freshman Rashaad Boddie has impressed in camp with Bobo describing him as "runaway train." He combined for 73 yards and two touchdowns in the two fall scrimmages.
Rushing for a team-high 85 yards and two touchdowns in the second scrimmage, true freshman Marcus McElroy could also play his way into the running back rotation.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
The Rams return three of their top four wide receivers from last year in Michael Gallup, Olabisi Johnson and Detrich Clark.
Gallup had one of the top single-season performances in school history – totaling 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns and was named preseason All-America by Athlon Sports.
Johnson, who had 613 yards and four touchdowns in 2016, set CSU's all-time record for receiving yards in a game with 256 in the Potato Bowl to go with two scores.
After serving primarily as a ground threat in 2016--accounting for 253 yards of total offense -- Clark figures to play a larger role in the passing game in 2017 as one of the team's top slot receivers.
The Rams also added a pair of explosive freshmen at the wide receiver position in Warren Jackson and E.J. Scott, both of whom excelled in fall camp, combining for 180 yards in the two scrimmages.
At tight end, the Rams return senior Dalton Fackrell and redshirt freshman Isiah Pannunzio from 2016 and converted wide receiver John Freismuth to the position.
True freshmen Griffin Hammer--an early enrolee--and Cameron Butler round out the position.

Offensive Line:
An offensive line that ranked eighth in the nation with just 1.0 sacks allowed per game returns two starters and several key contributors.
Behind the stout unit, the Rams offense (6,012 total yards) had its third best statistical season in program history.
Center Jake Bennett (29 career starts) was named preseason All-Mountain West and is on the Rimington Trophy Watch List.
Tackle Zack Golditch enters his third year as a starter and was named preseason fourth team All-Mountain West by Phil Steele.
In addition to signing seven offensive linemen in February, the Rams also return Colby Meeks (23 games played), Trae Moxley (36 games played) and Jeff Taylor (10 games played).
Amongst the newcomers, junior college transfers Tyler Bjorklund and Ben Knox saw significant action in camp.

Defensive Line:
The Rams return multiple starters from 2016 (22 combined starts) in Darnell Thompson, Jakob Buys, Toby McBride and Arjay Jean.
A preseason fourth team All-Mountain West selection, Thompson totaled 29 stops, 3.5 sacks and a pair of quarterback hurries in 2016.
Buys had 25 tackles, 3.0 sacks and two hurries after earning a scholarship in 2016 fall camp.
As a true freshman, McBride recorded 32 tackles (most by a CSU true freshman since 2010) and a team-high 4.0 sacks.
Another true freshman, Jean tallied 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
Newcomer Ellison Hubbard has impressed in fall camp, with Bobo saying after the first scrimamge, "He was in the backfield all day and they could not block him. He made a lot of plays and had the opportunity to make a lot more. He's a guy that has a chance to be a very good player for us."

Linebackers:
The linebacking corps returns three starters and five letterwinners from the 2016 squad.
Junior Josh Watson is the leading tackler amongst returners, having posted 90 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore. He earned preseason first team All-Mountain West honors from Phil Steele.
In his first season as a starter, Evan Colorito tallied 63 tackles and a team-high 10.0 tackles for loss.
Tre Thomas rounds out the returning starters, coming off a 38-tackle, 7.0-tackles-for-loss sophomore campaign.
Returners Kiel Robinson (37 career games played), Patrick Elsenbast (21 games played), Max McDonald (six games played) and newcomer Emmanuel Jones--whom Bobo describes as someone who, "has been a very impressive guy for us all camp"--are expected to play big roles in the linebacking rotation.

Defensive Backs:
CSU's pass defense limited opponents to just 155.0 passing yards per game over the final eight regular-season contests, a figure that would rank fourth in the country over the course of a full season.
The unit returns three starters and eight letterwinners from 2016.
In his first year starting, Jake Schlager was the Rams' third-leading tackler (72), while also intercepting a pass, breaking up two more and recovering a fumble.
True freshmen Robert Awunganyi and Jamal Hicks combined to play in 18 contests, with Hicks posting 25 stops, an interception and two breakups while starting five times.
Justin Sweet had 44 tackles and was part of four forced turnovers, including a pick six at Air Force.
In the offseason, the Rams converted wide receiver Anthony Hawkins to cornerback and landed Utah graduate transfer Jordan Fogal, both of whom have taken reps with the No. 1 defense in fall camp.
A true freshman, safety Jadon Walker has been a leading tackler in both fall scrimmages.

Special Teams:
Kicker Wyatt Bryan (11-of-14 on field goals) and long snapper Trent Sieg return, along with the top two kick returners - Detrich Clark (20-418-20.9) and Dalyn Dawkins (7-169-24.1).
In February, the Rams signed high school All-American Ryan Stonehouse who has handled all the punting duties in the team's scrimmages.

CHANGING IT UP
There were a number of position changes in the offseason, all of which stuck between spring and fall camps. Players who switched postions are listed below:

Chandler Drachslin (from QB to WR)
Justin Falls (from LB to FB)
John Freismuth (from WR to TE)
Conrad Harker (from TE to LB)
Anthony Hawkins (from WR to DB)

Additionally, several others changed their jersey number: Marvin Kinsey, Jr. (No. 5), Jamal Hicks (7), Izzy Matthews (24), Alex Tennant (26), Johnathan Lewis (35), Dante Carnessale (45), Alonso Archuleta (62), Nathan Lucas (85), Chandler Birrell (86), Conrad Harker (93).

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.

A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE

With 14 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, CSU will now play Colorado during Week 2. It marks 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.
CSU and Abilene Christian have never met on the gridiron.
The Rams will play at Alabama on Sept. 17. In 2013, CSU trailed No. 1 Alabama by just 11 points in the fourth quarter.
The Rams will travel to Hawai`i for the first time since 2013. CSU is 14-9 all-time against the Rainbow Warriors, winning six 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

STEVENS IN COMMAND
After starting last year's season opener vs. Colorado (9/2), junior QB Nick Stevens was replaced by Faton Bauta and then one week later by Collin Hill. Head coach Mike Bobo praised Stevens for his work ethic and leadership during the demotion, however, and he got a second chance in October when Hill had season-ending ACL surgery.

Stevens posted the nation's best quarterback rating from Oct. 22 forward, completing more than 70 percent of his passes for 19 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. He finished the year 129-of-201 for 1,936 yards and 19 touchdowns. His 64.2 completion percentage is the third-best in CSU single-season history while his 19 touchdown passes are tied for seventh. In the Potato Bowl vs. Idaho (12/22), Stevens had 445 passing yards and five touchdown passes, which both rank second in single-game history. The 445 passing yards were four shy of Scooter Molander's 1987 record while the five passing touchdowns have been done six times, including twice by Stevens.

Overall, his season 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. Entering his senior season, Stevens has 41 career touchdown passes, the fourth-most in CSU history.

GIDDY UP, GALLUP
JUCO transfer Michael 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.

Over the final eight games (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).

He completed his junior season 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).

#RAMFAM16
The Rams' last two signing classes have been the highest rated in school history. While the impact of #RAMPAGE17 is still to be determined, the pivotal role that #RamFam16 played in last season's success is inarguable. Below is a look at the accomplishments of 2016's first-year players.

14 players who saw action
8 true freshmen who played
First-team all-conference receiver (Michael Gallup)
CSU's all-time true freshman sack leader (Toby McBride)
Mountain West's true freshman rushing touchdowns leader in 2016 (Marvin Kinsey, Jr.)
The nation's fifth-ranked true freshman for passer efficiency rating (Collin Hill)

The 2016 class combined for:

124 games played
31 games started
1,210 passing yards
1,502 receiving yards
938 rushing yards
26 receiving/rushing touchdowns
9 passing touchdowns
73 tackles
7.5 sacks
1 interception

FRESHMAN IMPACT
Among the contributors of #RamFam16 were eight true freshman, all of whom made an immediate impact.
Marvin Kinsey, Jr. – Recorded 549 rushing yards and seven touchdowns before an ACL tear ended his season. The rushing yards total is the seventh-most ever by a CSU freshman.
Toby McBride – Had 32 tackles and ranked fourth on the team with 7.0 tackles for loss and first with 4.0 sacks. The 32 tackles are the most by a CSU true freshman since Shaq Bell (39) in 2010.
Anthony Hawkins – Played in all 13 games (four starts), rushing 11 times for 81 yards (7.4 average) while catching two passes for 27 yards, including a touchdown. Hawkins switched to cornerback in the spring.
Jamal Hicks – Played in nine games (five starts), posting 25 tackles, two breakups and an interception.
Collin Hill – Started four games at quarterback before suffering an ACL injury, completing 75-of-129 passes (58.1 percent) for 1,096 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jeff Taylor – Played in nine games as a backup offensive lineman and took multiple snaps as a lead-blocker in jumbo sets.
Arjay Jean – Posted 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 12 games (one start).
Robert Awunganyi – Played in nine games, posting five tackles and a breakup.

#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.

FALL CAMP QUOTABLES
Head Coach Mike Bobo:
"The stadium isn't going to get us ready to play, the opponent isn't going to get us ready to play. We have to focus on today. We did a good job today of doing that, and we have to do that every day. That's coaches and players."

"What I see in Jordan Fogal is a guy that knows how to practice. He understands what full speed is every snap. He understands where to get in coverage and he understands breaks on the ball. He's got instincts. That guy has been somewhere that he needs to compete for playing. It's evident."

"The guy that's impressed me the most is Marcus McElroy. I'm really impressed with this kid. He has good vision, he has power when he runs, he has good speed. The other day when we did some live work with the 3's, there wasn't any blocking and he was getting yards every time. He got some reps with the 1's today."

"Rashaad Boddie has always been a big kid, but he's still changed his body. He's not running as choppy; he's running more fluid. He's more comfortable and has confidence, and Coach (Bryan) Applewhite has done a good job with him. Every time someone tries to tackle him, he's hard to tackle."

"I've been really impressed with our top two units up front on the defensive line. We've gotten a little bit bigger. Darnell Thompson is bigger, Jakob Buys is bigger, Richard King is bigger, Arjay [Jean] has been back in the mix in the last week or so, Toby [McBride] is starting to get a few reps, and Ellison Hubbard as well. They've played pretty well up front. There's some quickness at the nose guard position and it's been tough for our center to handle—which is a good thing. I feel good about that group in the way they've worked and the way they've prepared."

"I've mentioned Dalyn Dawkins and Bisi Johnson for how hard they practice, well Evan Colorito is the same way. Everyday he gets after it and he's getting better at the craft of that buck [linebacker] position. He's more explosive this year and he's a tough guy. That's why we call him our bell cow, because everyday he is bringing it at practice."

Senior safety Jake Schlager:
"Guys are picking up the system really well and they're picking it up really fast. There's a lot of competition right now. You have to go out there and do exactly what coach asks you to do, and if you don't, somebody else will. It makes you go out there and compete every day because you can't take anything for granted."

FAREWELL HUGHES
CSU said farewell to its 49-year-old stadium on Nov. 19, 2016, playing the 262nd and final game at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. The team went 146-114-2 (.562) at the facility that was built in 1968, including winning 16 of its final 20 contests. The program has since moved in to its $220-million on-campus stadium, located in the heart of CSU's main campus.

Prior to saying goodbye, the athletics department celebrated the venue throughout the season, creating the Farewell Hughes microsite (www.CSURams.com/farewellhughes) and celebrating each decade at home games throughout the season. During the final game, upwards of 100 former players and coaches were on hand and were recognized on the field during halftime. Following the game, CSU symbolically bid farewell through a special ceremony. Flags representing each decade of Hughes Stadium's lifespan were displayed on the flagpoles on the east side of the stadium, beginning with the 1960s through the present. As each decade flag was lowered, one bank of lights was turned off to represent that decade in the closure of the stadium. Distinguished alumni and VIP guests – including Fort Collins mayor Wade Troxell, university president Tony Frank, legendary head coach Sonny Lubick and CSU's first coach at Hughes Stadium Mike Lude, among others – helped lower the flags and turn off the banks of lights.

Head coach Mike Bobo then fired the ROTC cannon for the final time at the stadium and the ceremony concluded with a video that cast attention on the new, on-campus stadium, including a live shot of a spotlight shining from the stadium's construction site.

2016 HIGHLIGHTS

Colorado State won four of its final five regular-season contests to qualify for a bowl game for the fourth year in a row after a 3-4 start to the season. CSU is one of three Mountain West schools to play in a bowl game in each of the past four seasons.
WR Michael Gallup, P Hayden Hunt and OL Fred Zerblis were named to the All-Mountain West first team in December, joining second-team members Jake Bennett (OL) and Kevin Davis (LB) and honorable mention selections Nick Callender (OL), Nick Stevens (QB) and Paul Thurston (OL).
CSU went 5-1 at home in 2016, the final season at Hughes Stadium. The Rams closed the door on the 49-year-old stadium on Nov. 19, 2016, with a 49-31 win over New Mexico.
8 of CSU's 11 2016 regular-season FBS opponents competed in a bowl game. Overall, CSU's 13 opponents combined for a 73-60 (.549) record, good for the 35th-toughest schedule in FBS. The Rams' six losses came to teams with a combined mark of 56-24 (.700).
After starting three different quarterbacks through the first three games of the season, the Rams' offense got into a rhythm midway through the year. Over the final six games, CSU averaged 47.8 points and 533.8 yards per game, figures which rank 2nd and 4th, respectively, in all of FBS from Oct. 16 forward. Overall, the Rams rank 28th in FBS in scoring offense and 30th in total offense; on Oct. 16, they ranked 96th and 75th in those two categories.
CSU posted six shutouts in a half in 2016, including an entire-game shutout vs. Fresno State (11/5), the Rams' first since 1997.
CSU scored 53 of 56 times it reached the red zone (94.6%), a figure which ranked 4th in FBS and is the best in school history dating back to at least 2005.
In addition to blocking for the third-best offense in school history, the Rams' offensive line surrendered just 13 sacks, a figure which ranks 8th in FBS.
A trio of CSU running backs rushed for more than 500 yards, with each crossing the 100-yard mark vs. New Mexico (11/19). In that contest, CSU totaled 412 rushing yards, the most in 15 seasons and the 8th-best mark in school history. Overall, CSU's 2,831 net rushing yards and 5.3 yards-per-carry average rank fifth and second, respectively, in school history.
After turning the ball over 27 times in 2015, CSU made one of the largest jumps in FBS, giving up the ball just 12 times, including 7 interceptions. The 12 turnovers lost rank 17th (compared to 116th in 2015) and the 7 interceptions (13th in FBS) are a school record.
The Rams' defense limited two of the top rushing attacks in back-to-back weeks. New Mexico entered the Nov. 19 contest leading the nation with 347.8 rushing yards per game, but were out-rushed by the Rams by 127 yards. A week later, CSU stuffed Mountain West champion San Diego State and the NCAA's all-time career rushing leader Donnel Pumphrey. Entering the game ranked second in FBS with 168.6 rushing yards per game, CSU held Pumphrey to 53 yards.
CSU ranked 2nd in the Mountain West and 43rd nationally with 6.3 tackles for loss per game. A total of 22 players had a TFL in 2016, with 14 recording a sack – 11 of which had never done so prior to 2016.
CSU scored first in its final eight games, doing so on its first drive six times. Overall, the Rams out-scored opponents 131-73 in the first quarter in 2016.
CSU had two of the top yards-per-play averages in school history, averaging 11.1 vs. New Mexico (2nd) and 9.1 vs. Idaho (7th).

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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Players Mentioned

Alonso Archuleta

Robert Awunganyi

Faton Bauta

Jake Bennett

Chandler Birrell

Rashaad Boddie

Wyatt Bryan

Cam Butler

Jakob Buys

Nick Callender

Dante Carnessale

Detrich Clark

Deonte Clyburn

Evan Colorito

Kevin Davis

Dalyn Dawkins

Chandler Drachslin

Patrick Elsenbast

Dalton Fackrell

Justin Falls

Jordan Fogal

John Freismuth

Michael Gallup

Zack Golditch

Griffin Hammer

Conrad Harker

Anthony Hawkins

Houston Haynes

Jamal Hicks

Collin Hill

Ellison Hubbard

Hayden Hunt

Warren Jackson

Arjay Jean

Olabisi Johnson

Manny Jones

Richard King

Ben Knox

Johnathan Lewis

Nathan Lucas

Izzy Matthews

Toby McBride

Max McDonald

Marcus McElroy, Jr.

Colby Meeks

Trae Moxley

Levi Osborn

Isiah Pannunzio

Kiel Robinson

Nate Ryken

Jake Schlager

Trent Sieg

Tyler Smith

Nick Stevens

Ryan Stonehouse

Justin Sweet

Corte Tapia

Jeff Taylor

Alex Tennant

Tre Thomas

Darnell Thompson

Paul Thurston

Jadon Walker

Josh Watson

Fred Zerblis

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