Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Tommy Joe Waido
Pick Six: Six takeaways from the Rocky Mountain Showdown
9/2/2017 3:56:00 PM | Football
CSU defense impresses in second half yet again
The Colorado State Rams fell to rival Colorado, 17-3, last night in the 89th Rocky Mountain Showdown. CSU was flagged 10 times for 120 yards of penalties, effectively eliminating several potential scoring drives.
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CU running back Phillip Lindsay rushed 19 times for 144 yards, including 102 yards in the first half alone. The Buffs scored all 17 of their points in the first 16:24 of game time, but were shutout by the Rams the rest of the way.
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Although the Rams left Sports Authority Field with a 1-1 overall record, there were still positives to look back on from Friday night.
THE DEFENSE WAS STALWART AGAIN IN THE SECOND HALF
Last week, CSU's defense surrendered only 123 total yards to the Oregon State Beavers in the second half, as the Rams rolled to a 58-27 victory.
The Rams put together another stalwart second half performance against CU, allowing only 135 yards. The Buffs mustered only 49 total yards in the fourth quarter.
CU scored on three of its first four possessions, but then was held scoreless by CSU the rest of the way.
RAMS GENERATING A PASS RUSH
CSU had five different players account for five sacks of CU quarterback Steven Montez. Jakob Buys, Ellison Hubbard, Richard King, Toby McBride and Tre Thomas registered sacks on the evening. Hubbard, a freshman, recorded his first collegiate sack.
The five sacks contributed to eight total tackles for loss. Senior Evan Colorito did not record a sack, but did have a pair of TFLs.
KEVIN NUTT, JR. = DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKER
Senior cornerback Kevin Nutt, Jr., knew he was in for a challenge Friday night, with CU returning its top five receivers from a year ago (including two on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List – Shay Fields and Devin Ross).
Nutt helped keep the Rams within striking distance with two key interceptions, including one in the end zone in the third quarter. Nutt became the first Ram to have two INTs in a game since Tyree Simmons had two against New Mexico on Nov. 22, 2014.
RAMS CLUTCH ON THIRD DOWNS
For the second week in a row, the Rams converted on third down opportunities at a high rate. CSU went 9-of-18 on third downs on Friday after going 8-for-14 against Oregon State last week. Overall, CSU is 17-of-32 (53 percent) on third downs through two weeks of action.
SPREADING THE BALL AROUND
Senior quarterback Nick Stevens completed 24-of-47 passes for 309 yards, marking his third consecutive 300-yard game. Stevens connected with seven different receivers, with three hauling in five or more passes.
Junior wide out Olabisi Johnson (6 catches, 71 yards), senior Detrich Clark (5-72) and senior Michael Gallup (5-67) were significant contributors on Friday. Freshman Warren Jackson collected the first two receptions of his college career.
Clark's receiving totals were career highs, and included a pair of productive shovel passes after going in motion in the backfield from the slot receiver position.
THE SHOWDOWN MATTERS
For the sixth consecutive year, the attendance at the Rocky Mountain Showdown increased from the season before. 73,932 fans converged upon the home of the Denver Broncos on Friday night – the fifth-highest attendance in the history of the rivalry and the largest crowd since 2003. CSU sold out of its ticket allotment for the game on Thursday.
Friday's meeting marked the first time since 2006 that both teams entered the Rocky Mountain Showdown coming off of bowl appearances. Yahoo's Sam Cooper (aka @YahooDrSaturday on Twitter) ranked the CSU-CU matchup as a top game to watch in Week 1.Â
Both teams have been unanimously projected to compete in the postseason again this year, giving the 2018 edition of the Rocky Mountain Showdown the chance to draw significant interest yet again.
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CU running back Phillip Lindsay rushed 19 times for 144 yards, including 102 yards in the first half alone. The Buffs scored all 17 of their points in the first 16:24 of game time, but were shutout by the Rams the rest of the way.
Â
Although the Rams left Sports Authority Field with a 1-1 overall record, there were still positives to look back on from Friday night.
THE DEFENSE WAS STALWART AGAIN IN THE SECOND HALF
Last week, CSU's defense surrendered only 123 total yards to the Oregon State Beavers in the second half, as the Rams rolled to a 58-27 victory.
The Rams put together another stalwart second half performance against CU, allowing only 135 yards. The Buffs mustered only 49 total yards in the fourth quarter.
CU scored on three of its first four possessions, but then was held scoreless by CSU the rest of the way.
RAMS GENERATING A PASS RUSH
CSU had five different players account for five sacks of CU quarterback Steven Montez. Jakob Buys, Ellison Hubbard, Richard King, Toby McBride and Tre Thomas registered sacks on the evening. Hubbard, a freshman, recorded his first collegiate sack.
The five sacks contributed to eight total tackles for loss. Senior Evan Colorito did not record a sack, but did have a pair of TFLs.
KEVIN NUTT, JR. = DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKER
Senior cornerback Kevin Nutt, Jr., knew he was in for a challenge Friday night, with CU returning its top five receivers from a year ago (including two on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List – Shay Fields and Devin Ross).
Nutt helped keep the Rams within striking distance with two key interceptions, including one in the end zone in the third quarter. Nutt became the first Ram to have two INTs in a game since Tyree Simmons had two against New Mexico on Nov. 22, 2014.
RAMS CLUTCH ON THIRD DOWNS
For the second week in a row, the Rams converted on third down opportunities at a high rate. CSU went 9-of-18 on third downs on Friday after going 8-for-14 against Oregon State last week. Overall, CSU is 17-of-32 (53 percent) on third downs through two weeks of action.
SPREADING THE BALL AROUND
Senior quarterback Nick Stevens completed 24-of-47 passes for 309 yards, marking his third consecutive 300-yard game. Stevens connected with seven different receivers, with three hauling in five or more passes.
Junior wide out Olabisi Johnson (6 catches, 71 yards), senior Detrich Clark (5-72) and senior Michael Gallup (5-67) were significant contributors on Friday. Freshman Warren Jackson collected the first two receptions of his college career.
Clark's receiving totals were career highs, and included a pair of productive shovel passes after going in motion in the backfield from the slot receiver position.
THE SHOWDOWN MATTERS
For the sixth consecutive year, the attendance at the Rocky Mountain Showdown increased from the season before. 73,932 fans converged upon the home of the Denver Broncos on Friday night – the fifth-highest attendance in the history of the rivalry and the largest crowd since 2003. CSU sold out of its ticket allotment for the game on Thursday.
Friday's meeting marked the first time since 2006 that both teams entered the Rocky Mountain Showdown coming off of bowl appearances. Yahoo's Sam Cooper (aka @YahooDrSaturday on Twitter) ranked the CSU-CU matchup as a top game to watch in Week 1.Â
Both teams have been unanimously projected to compete in the postseason again this year, giving the 2018 edition of the Rocky Mountain Showdown the chance to draw significant interest yet again.
Â
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