Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Aaron M. Sprecher
Pick Six: Six takeaways from CSU's evening in Tuscaloosa
9/17/2017 8:56:00 PM | Football
Colorado State fell at No. 1 Alabama, 41-23, on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
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The Rams' 23 points were the most Alabama has allowed through three games this season, and is more than all but three teams were able to muster against the Crimson Tide last season.
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Freshman wide receiver Warren Jackson registered his first two career TD catches, and the offensive line was strong, allowing the Rams offense to make some big plays (nine plays of at least 15 yards).
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The Rams are 2-2 entering Mountain West play, with reasons to feel optimistic about their performance through non-conference action.
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CSU freshman wide receiver Warren Jackson hauled in the first two TD receptions of his career on Saturday evening. Both were on fade routes to the corner of the end zone, and came against two different starting Crimson Tide cornerbacks.
Jackson beat both senior Anthony Averett and sophomore Trevon Diggs to tally his two touchdowns. His first cut the Alabama lead to 17-10, and came with Averett committing defensive pass interference on the play.
Jackson's two-TD performance caught the attention of a former NFL star, who made a living doing what Jackson did last night:
The CSU offensive line was stalwart on Saturday, allowing the Rams offense to record nearly 400 yards of total offense and score three touchdowns against a stout Crimson Tide defense.
Alabama entered the game with five sacks over its first two games, including three against then-No. 3 Florida State to open the season. CSU's o-line did not allow a sack on Saturday, allowing for Nick Stevens to throw for the most yards by any Alabama opponent at Bryant-Denny Stadium since September of 2015.
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The Rams posted 23 points against the Crimson Tide on Saturday. It was the most points Alabama has allowed this season. Additionally, the Crimson Tide allowed 23 or more points on three occasions last season.
CSU's point total was also the most by any non-Power 5 program since Houston scored 24 against Alabama in 2007.
The Rams won the time of possession battle (33:53-26:07) and ran 18 more offensive plays than their opponent.
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After Alabama jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, CSU regrouped and dominated the second quarter.
The Rams had just 11 yards of total offense in the opening quarter, but countered with 155 yards in the second, outgaining the Crimson Tide by 70 yards. CSU ran 23 plays and possessed the ball for 11:43 of the 15 total minutes of play.
CSU scored 10 points in the quarter, thanks to a pair of long scoring drives. CSU's touchdown drive took 6:17 (the longest scoring drive of the year for the Rams) over 11 plays and 85 yards.
The Rams were 5-of-6 on third downs in the frame, while QB Nick Stevens was 7-of-8 passing for 109 yards and the TD to Warren Jackson.
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The Rams were 10-for-17 on third downs on Saturday – a 58.8 percent conversion rate. CSU has successfully converted over 50 percent of its third down attempts in each of the first four games of the season.
Overall, CSU is 32-of-59 (54.2 percent) on third downs offensively this season.
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Freshman punter Ryan Stonehouse had a strong performance on Saturday, punting the ball three times for 151 yards.
Stonehouse posted a net average of 50.3 yards with a pair of punts that pinned Alabama within its own 20 yard line. This included a 65-yard rugby-style punt in the first quarter that stuck the Crimson
Tide down at their own 5-yard line. The 65-yarder was a career-long for Stonehouse.
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The Rams' 23 points were the most Alabama has allowed through three games this season, and is more than all but three teams were able to muster against the Crimson Tide last season.
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Freshman wide receiver Warren Jackson registered his first two career TD catches, and the offensive line was strong, allowing the Rams offense to make some big plays (nine plays of at least 15 yards).
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The Rams are 2-2 entering Mountain West play, with reasons to feel optimistic about their performance through non-conference action.
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WARREN JACKSON IMPRESSING ON A NATIONAL STAGE
CSU freshman wide receiver Warren Jackson hauled in the first two TD receptions of his career on Saturday evening. Both were on fade routes to the corner of the end zone, and came against two different starting Crimson Tide cornerbacks.Jackson beat both senior Anthony Averett and sophomore Trevon Diggs to tally his two touchdowns. His first cut the Alabama lead to 17-10, and came with Averett committing defensive pass interference on the play.
Jackson's two-TD performance caught the attention of a former NFL star, who made a living doing what Jackson did last night:
"I know you're on the No. 1 team in the country, but you can get Mossed too!" pic.twitter.com/eyxoGGYuZ0
— ESPN (@espn) September 17, 2017
OFFENSIVE LINE STANDS STRONG AGAINST CRIMSON TIDE DEFENSIVE FRONT
The CSU offensive line was stalwart on Saturday, allowing the Rams offense to record nearly 400 yards of total offense and score three touchdowns against a stout Crimson Tide defense.Alabama entered the game with five sacks over its first two games, including three against then-No. 3 Florida State to open the season. CSU's o-line did not allow a sack on Saturday, allowing for Nick Stevens to throw for the most yards by any Alabama opponent at Bryant-Denny Stadium since September of 2015.
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RAMS OFFENSE PRODUCES AGAINST NATION'S TOP TEAM
The Rams posted 23 points against the Crimson Tide on Saturday. It was the most points Alabama has allowed this season. Additionally, the Crimson Tide allowed 23 or more points on three occasions last season.CSU's point total was also the most by any non-Power 5 program since Houston scored 24 against Alabama in 2007.
The Rams won the time of possession battle (33:53-26:07) and ran 18 more offensive plays than their opponent.
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CSU DOMINATES THE SECOND QUARTER
After Alabama jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, CSU regrouped and dominated the second quarter.The Rams had just 11 yards of total offense in the opening quarter, but countered with 155 yards in the second, outgaining the Crimson Tide by 70 yards. CSU ran 23 plays and possessed the ball for 11:43 of the 15 total minutes of play.
CSU scored 10 points in the quarter, thanks to a pair of long scoring drives. CSU's touchdown drive took 6:17 (the longest scoring drive of the year for the Rams) over 11 plays and 85 yards.
The Rams were 5-of-6 on third downs in the frame, while QB Nick Stevens was 7-of-8 passing for 109 yards and the TD to Warren Jackson.
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RAMS CONTINUE TO EXCEL ON THIRD DOWNS
The Rams were 10-for-17 on third downs on Saturday – a 58.8 percent conversion rate. CSU has successfully converted over 50 percent of its third down attempts in each of the first four games of the season.Overall, CSU is 32-of-59 (54.2 percent) on third downs offensively this season.
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STONEHOUSE A WEAPON AS A PUNTER
Freshman punter Ryan Stonehouse had a strong performance on Saturday, punting the ball three times for 151 yards.Stonehouse posted a net average of 50.3 yards with a pair of punts that pinned Alabama within its own 20 yard line. This included a 65-yard rugby-style punt in the first quarter that stuck the Crimson
Tide down at their own 5-yard line. The 65-yarder was a career-long for Stonehouse.
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Players Mentioned
Thursday, May 14
Monday, May 11
Friday, May 08
Tuesday, April 28