Game Notes: Colorado State to begin MW slate with trip to Hawai'i

Colorado State at Hawai'i
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 | 10 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. HT
Aloha Stadium (50,000) | Manoa, Hawai'i

QUICK HITS - COLORADO STATE

Mike Bobo is in his third year as the head coach at Colorado State. He 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).
The Rams this week open Mountain West play with a trip to Hawai'i (9/30), playing the Rainbow Warriors on the road for the first time since 2013. Colorado State had a bye last week, and will have another in the final week of the regular season.
Colorado State's offense ranks sixth in FBS (1st MW) in fewest sacks allowed (0.5 per game; 2 total) and 13th (1st MW) in tackles-for-loss allowed (4.0).
The Rams have converted third-down attempts at a clip of 50 percent or better in each of their first four games and rank sixth in the nation (1st MW) at 54.2% for the year (32-59).
Defensively, the Rams rank third among all FBS schools in red zone defense (57.1%) and fifth in interceptions (7).
Senior QB Nick Stevens leads the MW and ranks 15th in FBS in passing yards per game (306.8) and also lead the MW in points responsible for (54).
Senior WR Michael Gallup ranks second in the MW and 11th in FBS in receptions per game (7.8) and ranks third in the MW (24th FBS) in receiving yards per game (96.3).

QUICK HITS - HAWAI'I

Hawai'i is 2-2 on the season, following a pair of defeats over its last two weeks. Hawai'i lost at Wyoming, 28-21, in overtime on Saturday to open its MW slate.
Nick Rolovich is in his second year as the head coach of the Rainbow Warriors. He led Hawai'i to a 7-7 record last season, including a win in the Hawai'i Bowl over Middle Tennessee State. The bowl appearance was Hawai'i's first since 2010.
Hawai'i opened its season with wins at Massachusetts and at home against Western Carolina. The Rainbow Warriors have only played one home game this season.
Offensively, Hawai'i is averaging 480.3 yards per game, which leads the MW and ranks 31st nationally.
QB Dru Brown leads the offense and is 25th in the NCAA in passing yards (1,052) with 8 TDs.
RB Diocemy Saint Juste has also been a standout, ranking second in the league and fourth nationally with 554 rushing yards through four games.
WR John Ursua leads the NCAA in receiving yards per game (151.0). He has 453 receiving yards and 3 TDs in three games.
Defensively, the Rainbow Warriors are led by LB Jahlani Tavai, who ranks 31st in the NCAA with 9.3 tackles per game.
Hawai'i defense ranks ninth in the MW (94th in the nation), allowing 417.3 yards per game.

CSU-HAWAI'I - MATCHUP NOTES

The two programs have met 23 times, with CSU holding a 14-9 series edge.
Hawai'i is 7-5 against CSU in Honolulu, but CSU has won the last two meetings on the island, the most recent being a 35-28 victory on Oct. 26, 2013.
Overall, the Rams have won the last six contests in the series, dating back to 1995 when the two teams were members of the WAC. Dating back to 1989, CSU has won nine of the last 10 matchups.
The most recent meeting was in Fort Collins on Nov. 8, 2014 - a 49-20 CSU victory.
Hawai'i's last win came in Honolulu on Nov. 7, 1992.
The first game between the schools was on Dec. 12, 1925 - a 41-0 win for Hawai'i in Honolulu.
Eleven players currently on the CSU roster played in the 2014 contest - Jakob Buys, Evan Colorito, Deonte Clyburn, Zack Golditch, Shun Johnson, Trent Moxley, Kevin Nutt, Jr., Kiel Robinson, Trent Sieg, Nick Stevens and Justin Sweet.

CSU ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMERS vs. HAWAI'I

The Rams have had a 100-yard rusher in each of their last four contests against Hawai'i:

2014 - Dee Hart - 11 rushes for 115 yards
2013 - Kapri Bibbs - 33 for 137
2012 - Chris Nwoke - 19 for 115
1997 - Kevin McDougal - 14 for 103

Scooter Molander set the CSU single-game record for passing yards against Hawai'i in 1987. Molander threw for 449 yards, but the Rams lost, 39-38.

Greg Primus had a pair of 100-plus receiving yard outings against Hawai'i, including 256 yards in 1991 (a 28-16 Rams win in Fort Collins). The 256 yards were the most ever by a Rams receiver until Olabisi Johnson posted 265 yards in last year's Idaho Potato Bowl.

The most-recent CSU 100-yard receiver against Hawai'i was Charles Lovett, who posted 134 against the Rainbow Warriors in 2014, helping lead CSU to a 49-21 win.

RAMS IN CONFERENCE OPENERS

CSU is 56-47-7 (.541) in conference openers, including a 6-12 mark in MW openers.
CSU is 25-25-3 (.500) when opening league play on the road.
The Rams have lost their last five league openers. CSU's last win in a MW opener was at New Mexico in 2011.
The Rams have opened their conference slate against Hawai'i one other time - a 10-3 win at home in 1984 (both schools were members of the WAC at the time).
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.

NO-FLY ZONE?
In 13 games last season, the Rams defense had eight interceptions. Through four games in 2017, they have seven. Three different players--Anthony Hawkins, Tre Thomas and Josh Watson--picked off passes in Week 0. Then, a pair of Rams had 2-INT outings - Kevin Nutt, Jr. (vs. Colorado) and Jamal Hicks (vs. Abilene Christian).

Nutt Jr.'s performance marked the first multi-interception game by a Ram since Tyree Simmons in 2014, and it's the first time since 2014 (A. Davis & M. Morgan) that multiple linebackers recorded interceptions in the same season.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME
CSU is now 2-0 in the new on-campus stadium. The Rams had a 5-1 record in home games in 2016, and have won eight of their last nine games in the friendly confines of Fort Collins dating back to a win over UNLV on Nov. 14, 2015.

Over that nine-game stretch, CSU has averaged 37.6 points, with an average scoring margin of 15.4 points.

RAMS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• K Wyatt Bryan: T-1st in FG percentage (1.000)
• WR Detrich Clark: 24th in kickoff returns (27.3)
• WR Michael Gallup: 19th in receiving yards (385), 11th in receptions per game (7.8), 24th in receiving yards per game (96.8)
• S Jamal Hicks & CB Kevin Nutt, Jr.: T-12th in interceptions (2)
• QB Nick Stevens: 14th in passing yards (1227), 15th in passing yards per game (306.8), 14th in total offense (321.8), 16th in completions per game (24.0)

RECORD WATCH
Several Rams are within reach of positions in the Colorado State record books:

Wyatt Bryan:
   • Three made field goals away from 7th all-time in career field goals made.
Dalyn Dawkins:
   • 418 yards from 10th all-time in career rushing yards.
Michael Gallup:
   • 216 yards away from 10th all-time in career receiving yards.
   • 33 catches away from 10th all-time in career receptions.
Izzy Matthews:
   • 4 touchdowns away from 10th all-time in career rushing touchdowns.
Nick Stevens:
   • Eighth all-time in passing yards (5,736), 288 away from seventh (Bradlee Van Pelt, 6,271)
   • Sixth all-time in completions (451), 29 away from tying for fifth (Moses Moreno, 480)
   • Two touchdowns away from tying for second all-time in career passing touchdowns (Moses Moreno, 51).
   • 10th all-time in pass attempts (737), 17 from ninth (Scooter Molaner, 754), 25 from eighth            (Bradlee Van Pelt, 762).

STEVENS PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Nick Stevens' 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.

In the first game of 2017, the redshirt senior picked up right where he left off, passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in the Week 0 win over Oregon State. The game marked Stevens' eighth consecutive with multiple touchdown passes, and third in a row with three or more touchdowns. His three TDs versus Oregon State gave him 44 for his career and moved him into third all-time at CSU in passing touchdowns, leaping Matt Newton (42 TDs, 1998-2000). His career TD total is now up to 49.

Stevens' multi-TD streak came to an end in game No. 2 against Colorado, but the redshirt senior still passed for 309 yards against a team that ranked fifth in the country in passing-efficiency defense last season. It was his third consecutive game with more than 300 passing yards and the fifth such game of his career.

The Murrieta, Calif., native again eclipsed 300 yards passing in game No. 3 against Abilene Christian, tossing for 337 and three TDs. Stevens has thrown multiple TD passes in nine of his last 10 outings.

In a matchup against No. 1 Alabama, Stevens passed for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a touchdown on the ground. His 247 yards eclipsed 15 of the last 16 quarterbacks to play in Tuscaloosa, and the Rams' 23 points against the Tide were the most by a non-Power 5 conference school since 2007.

LIKE MIKE
In 2016, wide receiver Michael Gallup 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). He scored at least one touchdown in each of his final eight games, including three apiece in the final two.

Over the final eight games of his junior season (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).

Through Week 3 of the 2017 season, Gallup ranked second in the country with 31 catches and fourth in the country with 385 receiving yards. He has two 100-yard games already on the year, and has at least five catches and 65 yards in every game this season. In a matchup against No. 1 Alabama, Gallup lined up against projected first-round draft pick Minkah Fitzpatrick and pulled in five catches for 81 yards, the most by a receiver against Alabama this season.

Gallup now has eight 100-yard games in his career, the fifth-most in program history. The Georgia-native has eight 100-yard outings in just 16 career games played.

A JUCO transfer, 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.

BOBO KNOWS TALENT
Of the 70 CSU student-athletes who have appeared in a game this season, 35 are from Coach Bobo's last two signing classes—his first two full classes as Colorado State's head coach. This included 8 of the 22 starters in the season opener versus Oregon State. Those 35 are either from the 2016 and 2017 signing classes or have joined the team as walk-ons since the end of the 2015 season, Bobo's first as CSU's head coach.

START 'EM YOUNG
A year after #RamFam16 took the Mountain West by storm--highlighted by true freshmen Hicks, Jean, Kinsey Jr. and McBride's dominance in Mountain West play--#RAMPAGE17 has already put the conference on notice. P Ryan Stonehouse left Tuscaloosa ranking 11th in the country with a 47.9-yard average punt, and WR Warren Jackson caught two touchdowns against No. 1 ranked Alabama. DL Ellison Hubbard, LB Patrick Moody and LB Emmanuel Jones have played in all four games on the defensive front, and TE Cameron Butler has started three games at tight end. OL Scott Brooks, CB Darius Campbell, RB Marcus McElroy, DL Livingston Paogofie, OL Joctavis Phillips, S Jadon Walker and WR Darius Wise are the other true freshmen to play this season.

CSU has now played 12 true freshmen this season - the seventh-most in the NCAA.

FOUR-HEADED MONSTER
CSU featured four running backs that had at least eight carries against the Beavers in Week 0. Dalyn Dawkins led with 15 rushes for 67 yards and a TD (plus a receiving TD). Both Marvin Kinsey, Jr., and Izzy Matthews also reached the end zone, and redshirt freshman Rashaad Boddie (8-56-7.0 ypc) ranked second in rushing productivity for the Rams.

In addition to those four, Coach Bobo has also complimented a pair of other running backs--redshirt freshman Darius May and true freshman Marcus McElroy--during the offseason. McElroy made his debut against Oregon State in a special teams role, and then had two carries for nine yards against ACU, while May has not yet seen action in 2017.

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).

CSU, UNDER ARMOUR REVEAL #STATEPRIDE UNIFORMS
The Colorado State football program and CSU Athletics' official apparel provider Under Armour unveiled on Sept. 21 a special State Pride uniform that the Rams will wear for their Nov. 11 home game vs. Boise State.

"Our partnership with Under Armour provides for specialty uniforms and the UA design team does a tremendous job driving the creative process," said Joe Parker, Director of Athletics. "The use of our iconic state flag as the base element for this uniform speaks to the pride across Colorado for the University and also our mission as a land grant institution."

The State Pride uniforms are white and incorporate elements of the Colorado state flag, with the helmet and jersey displaying the red and gold "C" and the pants including a patch of the flag at the left hip. The royal blue stripes of the flag run along the center of the helmet from front to back, and down the outside of each pant leg. Jersey numbers are royal with red trim, and the words "Colorado State" appear in royal above the number on the front of the jersey.

Under Armour is in its fifth year as the official apparel and uniform provider for Colorado State's athletics programs. The partnership originated in 2013 and a multi-year renewal began in 2016. In addition to the standard home and away uniforms and the Ag Day orange jerseys for the football team, Under Armour has produced an all-gray uniform that debuted in 2016.

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.

BREAKING IN THE NEW END ZONES
The Rams scored seven touchdowns in their first game at the new on-campus stadium, successfully breaking in both end zones.

CSU's seven touchdowns were scored by six different players:
Rushing (3): Dalyn Dawkins, Marvin Kinsey, Jr., Izzy Matthews
Receiving (3): Cameron Butler, Detrich Clark, Dalyn Dawkins
Defensive (1): Tre Thomas (44-yard INT return)

Matthews scored the first CSU TD in the new stadium - a 1-yard rush into the south end zone to tie the game at 7-7. OSU WR Timmy Hernandez scored the first points in the stadium on a 39-yard TD pass from QB Jake Luton.

A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE

With 16 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 to a Week 0 contest, CSU played Colorado during Week 1. It marked 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.
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

#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

#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.

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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Game Notes: Colorado State to begin MW slate with trip to Hawai'i

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Players Mentioned

Alonso Archuleta

Jake Bennett

Chandler Birrell

Rashaad Boddie

Scott Brooks

Wyatt Bryan

Cam Butler

Jakob Buys

Darius Campbell

Dante Carnessale

Detrich Clark

Deonte Clyburn

Evan Colorito

Dalyn Dawkins

Chandler Drachslin

Justin Falls

John Freismuth

Michael Gallup

Zack Golditch

Conrad Harker

Anthony Hawkins

Houston Haynes

Jamal Hicks

Collin Hill

Ellison Hubbard

Warren Jackson

Olabisi Johnson

Shun Johnson

Manny Jones

Johnathan Lewis

Nathan Lucas

Izzy Matthews

Darius May

Toby McBride

Marcus McElroy, Jr.

Patrick Moody

Levi Osborn

Livingston Paogofie

Joctavis Phillips

Kiel Robinson

Nate Ryken

Trent Sieg

Tyree Simmons

Tyler Smith

Nick Stevens

Ryan Stonehouse

Justin Sweet

Corte Tapia

Alex Tennant

Tre Thomas

Jadon Walker

Josh Watson

Darius Wise

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