Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Tommy Joe Waido
Pick Six: Six takeaways from CSU's 58-27 win over Oregon State
8/27/2017 3:12:00 PM | Football
The Colorado State Rams defeated the Oregon State Beavers, 58-27, in the first game played on CSU's campus since Nov. 25, 1967. In front of a raucous sellout crowd of 37,583 fans, the Rams made a lot of noise of their own.
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CSU's 58 points were its most in a season opener against an FBS opponent since 1922, when the Rams beat Wyoming 60-0 to begin the year. Any concerns of a slow start to 2017 were eliminated after the Rams' 31-point victory on Saturday.
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It wasn't only the Rams' offense that impressed yesterday. The defense forced five turnovers, leading to 27 CSU points. Oregon State was only able to produce 123 total yards in the second half, as CSU outscored its visitors 34-7 over the final two periods.
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CSU's offense hit a groove midway through the 2016 season, averaging 47.8 points and 533.8 yards per game over the final six games of the year. Those figures ranked second and fourth, respectively, in the FBS from Oct. 16 forward.
The offensive numbers were gaudy yet again on Saturday for the Rams – 525 yards of total offense and 58 points. CSU also converted 31 first downs, reaching the 30-mark in the category for the first time since the 2015 Arizona Bowl.
The Rams scored on five consecutive offensive possessions from the 8:15 mark of the second quarter to the 14:42 mark of the fourth quarter, and then scored touchdowns on each of their final three possessions to close out the blowout.
CSU's defense allowed just seven points on 123 total yards in the second half yesterday. This came after Oregon State outgained CSU in the first half, 333-246. The strong second half allowed the Rams to turn a four-point halftime advantage into a 31-point win.
Seven different Rams registered at least five tackles yesterday, led by nine from linebacker Josh Watson.
The defense impacted the game mightily in other ways, including…
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CSU forced five turnovers against Oregon State, its most in a single game since forcing five against Hawai'i on Oct. 27, 2012. The Rams scored on every possession following a forced turnover, totaling 27 points (three TDs, two field goals).
Watson, Tre Thomas and Anthony Hawkins provided the interceptions for CSU, with each being the first of their careers. Thomas' was of the pick-six variety, taking a deflected Jake Luton pass 44 yards to paydirt.
CSU dominated in the second half, outscoring Oregon State 34-7. The defense sparked much of that offensive outburst, with 24 of CSU's final 31 points coming off turnovers.
The CSU-Oregon State contest was the first FBS game of the 2017 college football season. The nationally-televisted matchup was watched across the country, and opened many eyes within the industry.
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Seven different Rams scored touchdowns yesterday.
Three receiving - Cameron Butler, Detrich Clark, Dalyn Dawkins
Three rushing - Dawkins, Marvin Kinsey, Jr., Izzy Matthews
One defensive - Tre Thomas
Matthews has now scored a TD in nine consecutive games, dating back to Oct. 8 of last season. The junior is just four scores away from reaching the top 10 list for rushing TDs in school history. Matthews scored a historic touchdown with 8:09 to go in the first quarter - CSU's first in the new on-campus stadium.
Senior quarterback Nick Stevens posted a 158.86 passer rating with 334 yards on 66.7 percent completion with a trio of touchdowns against the Beavers. Stevens has thrown multiple touchdowns in eight consecutive games, and has tossed at least three in his last three outings. Stevens had a stretch early in the game where he completed 11-of-12 passes, including an 18-yard TD pass on third down to Dalyn Dawkins. His last two completions of the game were both TDs - a 20-yarder to Detrich Clark and then another to Cameron Butler for 15 yards.
Stevens spread the ball around, as well. Eight Rams caught at least one pass, and four different Rams had a reception of 20 yards or more. The biggest play through the air came at the 11:52 mark of the fourth quarter - Stevens connected with Michael Gallup for a 48-yard pass on third down.
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CSU's 58 points were its most in a season opener against an FBS opponent since 1922, when the Rams beat Wyoming 60-0 to begin the year. Any concerns of a slow start to 2017 were eliminated after the Rams' 31-point victory on Saturday.
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It wasn't only the Rams' offense that impressed yesterday. The defense forced five turnovers, leading to 27 CSU points. Oregon State was only able to produce 123 total yards in the second half, as CSU outscored its visitors 34-7 over the final two periods.
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THE OFFENSE IS STILL ROLLING
CSU's offense hit a groove midway through the 2016 season, averaging 47.8 points and 533.8 yards per game over the final six games of the year. Those figures ranked second and fourth, respectively, in the FBS from Oct. 16 forward.
The offensive numbers were gaudy yet again on Saturday for the Rams – 525 yards of total offense and 58 points. CSU also converted 31 first downs, reaching the 30-mark in the category for the first time since the 2015 Arizona Bowl.
The Rams scored on five consecutive offensive possessions from the 8:15 mark of the second quarter to the 14:42 mark of the fourth quarter, and then scored touchdowns on each of their final three possessions to close out the blowout.
THE DEFENSE STEPPED UP IN THE SECOND HALF
CSU's defense allowed just seven points on 123 total yards in the second half yesterday. This came after Oregon State outgained CSU in the first half, 333-246. The strong second half allowed the Rams to turn a four-point halftime advantage into a 31-point win.
Seven different Rams registered at least five tackles yesterday, led by nine from linebacker Josh Watson.
The defense impacted the game mightily in other ways, including…
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... WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
CSU forced five turnovers against Oregon State, its most in a single game since forcing five against Hawai'i on Oct. 27, 2012. The Rams scored on every possession following a forced turnover, totaling 27 points (three TDs, two field goals).
Watson, Tre Thomas and Anthony Hawkins provided the interceptions for CSU, with each being the first of their careers. Thomas' was of the pick-six variety, taking a deflected Jake Luton pass 44 yards to paydirt.
CSU dominated in the second half, outscoring Oregon State 34-7. The defense sparked much of that offensive outburst, with 24 of CSU's final 31 points coming off turnovers.
THE RAMS LEFT QUITE THE IMPRESSION IN THEIR DEBUT AT THE NEW STADIUM
The CSU-Oregon State contest was the first FBS game of the 2017 college football season. The nationally-televisted matchup was watched across the country, and opened many eyes within the industry.
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MULTIPLEÂ RAMS FIND THE END ZONE
Seven different Rams scored touchdowns yesterday.
Three receiving - Cameron Butler, Detrich Clark, Dalyn Dawkins
Three rushing - Dawkins, Marvin Kinsey, Jr., Izzy Matthews
One defensive - Tre Thomas
Matthews has now scored a TD in nine consecutive games, dating back to Oct. 8 of last season. The junior is just four scores away from reaching the top 10 list for rushing TDs in school history. Matthews scored a historic touchdown with 8:09 to go in the first quarter - CSU's first in the new on-campus stadium.
NICK STEVENS IN CONTROL
Senior quarterback Nick Stevens posted a 158.86 passer rating with 334 yards on 66.7 percent completion with a trio of touchdowns against the Beavers. Stevens has thrown multiple touchdowns in eight consecutive games, and has tossed at least three in his last three outings. Stevens had a stretch early in the game where he completed 11-of-12 passes, including an 18-yard TD pass on third down to Dalyn Dawkins. His last two completions of the game were both TDs - a 20-yarder to Detrich Clark and then another to Cameron Butler for 15 yards.
Stevens spread the ball around, as well. Eight Rams caught at least one pass, and four different Rams had a reception of 20 yards or more. The biggest play through the air came at the 11:52 mark of the fourth quarter - Stevens connected with Michael Gallup for a 48-yard pass on third down.
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