Game Notes: Colorado State to host Abilene Christian for Ag Day

Colorado State vs. Abilene Christian
Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 | 1:30 p.m. MT
Sonny Lubick Field at CSU Stadium (36,500 / 41,000 SRO) | Fort Collins, Colo.
Ag Day with 4H / Orange Out

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).
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.
Over the final six games in 2016, 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.
Colorado State opened up its new stadium with a 58-27 win over Power 5 foe, Oregon State, in front of a record crowd of 37,583.
Stevens leads the country in passing yards, having thrown for over 300 yards in both games this season.
The Rams defense has already forced seven turnovers through two games, half of their 14 total takeaways in 13 games in 2016.
21 players have made their Division I debut so far in 2017, including 10 true freshmen.

Quick Hits - Abilene Christian

Adam Dorrel is in his first season as head coach at Abilene Christian.
Dorrel takes over an ACU football program that had won just five games combined in the two previous seasons, including posting a 2-9 record in 2016.
Dorrel is the winningest coach by winning percentage in all of college football with a 90.5 winning percentage (90.5 percent) with three NCAA Division II national titles to his credit, including titles in 2015 and 2016 when the Bearcats finished 15-0 both years.
ACU has completed its move to full NCAA Division I status and is now eligible for all NCAA and Southland Conference postseason tournaments.
Junior quarterback Dallas Sealey eturns as the Wildcats' starting quarterback after finishing second in the Southland Conference in passing yards per game (277.3) and in total offense per game (302.0). Second in league in completion percentage (61.1) and fourth in total passing yards (2,773).
The ACU Wildcats are 1-4 vs. FBS opponents since making the move from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I affiliation prior to the 2013 season, including a 38-14 loss in Week 1 to New Mexico.
ACU senior linebacker Sam Denmark and senior placekicker Nik Grau were each voted first team pre-season all-Southland Conference.
CSU has never played a current member of the Southland Conference.

NOTES FROM WEEK 1 - COLORADO

The announced attendance was 73,932 – the highest attendance for a Rocky Mountain Showdown since 2003. It also marks the sixth consecutive year that attendance for the game has increased from the previous year. The attendance mark is the fifth-largest in the history of the rivalry.
Senior cornerback Kevin Nutt, Jr., had 2 interceptions – the first 2 of his collegiate career. He became the first Ram with 2 INTs in a game since Tyree Simmons had 2 against New Mexico on Nov. 22, 2014.
5 Rams notched sacks – Jakob Buys, Ellison Hubbard, Richard King, Toby McBride and Tre Thomas. Hubbard, a freshman defensive lineman, recorded his first career sack.
For the second game in a row, junior linebacker Josh Watson led the team in tackles with 9 (7 solo).
Senior quarterback Nick Stevens reached the 300 passing yard plateau for the third game in a row (fifth total). He finished 24-of-47 for 309 yards. The 47 attempts were a career high. Stevens threw for 205 yards in the second half.
The Rams outgained the Buffs through the air 309-202.
Colorado scored on three of its first four possessions of the game and totaled 128 yards of offense in the first half. CSU's defense then held the Buffs scoreless the rest of the game, and gave up just 82, 86 and 49 yards over the second, third and fourth quarters.
CSU outgained CU 397-345 and had more first downs (23-19). CSU also won the time of possession battle 31:17-28:43 (10:35-4:25 in the second quarter).
Three CSU receivers had at least 6 catches and 65+ yards – Olabisi Johnson (6 catches, 71 yards), Detrich Clark (5-72) and Michael Gallup (5-67).
The Rams were flagged for 10 penalties for 120 yards, negating a pair of touchdowns.
The Rams were 9-of-18 on third downs tonight, their second game in a row converting 50 percent or better on third downs. CSU is 17-of-32 (53 percent) on third downs over the first two weeks of the season.

AGGIE HERITAGE
Colorado State will honor its Aggie heritage on Saturday as fans are encouraged to wear orange for the school's annual Ag Day celebration. Formerly the Colorado A&M Aggies (prior to 1957), CSU's jerseys will represent the school's original colors of pumpkin and alfalfa. While donning the orange uniforms in Orange Outs, CSU is 7-0.

Since 1981, Ag Day, hosted by CSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics along with Colorado agricultural organizations and associations, is a non-profit event with proceeds furnishing scholarships to CSU agricultural science students. Prior to the game, Colorado agricultural growers and producers prepare Colorado's premier outdoor barbecue from quality Colorado food products. For more information, visit
agday.agsci.colostate.edu.

ALL-TIME ORANGE OUT RESULTS

Year	Opponent	Result
2010	Idaho	W, 36-34
2011	Northern Colorado	W, 33-14
2012	Hawai'i	W, 42-27
2013	UTEP	W, 59-42
2014	Tulsa	W, 42-17
2015	Savannah State	W, 65-13
2016	Northern Colorado	W, 47-21

NO-FLY ZONE?
In 13 games last season, the Rams defense had eight interceptions. Through two games in 2017, they have five. Three different players--Anthony Hawkins, Tre Thomas and Josh Watson--picked off passes in Week 0, and senior Kevin Nutt, Jr., intercepted two against Colorado.

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.

CLARK EMERGING AS PASS-CATCHING THREAT
In 2016, wide receiver Detrich Clark had just nine catches, compared to 36 rushing attempts. This offseason, Bobo challenged the former JuCo quarterback to improve his route-running and ball skills, and that provocation seems to be paying off.

Through two games this season, Clark has almost matched his 2016 total with seven catches, and has already eclipsed last year's mark (90) with 101 receiving yards. He scored a 31-yard receiving touchdown against Oregon State, and was the Rams' leading receiver against Colorado with five catches for 72 yards.

RECORD WATCH
Several Rams are within reach of Colorado State records:

Wyatt Bryan:
   • Five made field goals away from 7th all-time in career field goals made.
Dalyn Dawkins:
   • 550 yards from 10th all-time in career rushing yards.
Michael Gallup:
   • 400 yards away from 10th all-time in career receiving yards.
   • 48 catches away from 10th all-time in career receptions.
Izzy Matthews:
   • 4 touchdowns away from 10th all-time in career rushing touchdowns.
Nick Stevens:
   • Seven touchdowns away from 3rd all-time in career passing touchdowns.
   • Six yards away from 10th all-time in career passing yards.
   • Seven completions away from 10th all-time in career completions.
   • 22 attempts away from 10th all-time in career pass attempts.

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).

Stevens' multi-TD streak came to an end in Week 1 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.

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).

His six-game touchdown streak ended against Oregon State, but the All-Mountain West wide receiver was as electric as ever in the Rams' win. His 11 catches mark the second most of his career (13 at Air Force, 2016), and his 134 yards gave him six consecutive outings with 100+ receiving yards. Gallup's over-the-shoulder, 48-yard catch on third-and-six in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game was a turning point in the Rams' victory and was featured on highlight reels all over the country.

Gallup now has seven 100-yard games in his career, tying for fifth-most in program history. The Georgia-native has seven 100-yard outings in just 14 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 62 CSU student-athletes who participated in the Oregon State game, 30 are from Coach Bobo's last two signing classes—his first two full classes as Colorado State's head coach—including 8 of the 22 starters. Those 30 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 got in on the action in Week 0 with 10 true freshmen making their FBS debuts. Tight end Cameron Butler recorded two catches for 25 yards and a touchdown, while linebacker Patrick Moody recorded two tackles, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries. Replacing All-American Hayden Hunt, Ryan Stonhouse punted twice with a 51.0-yard average. CB Darius Campbell, DL Ellison Hubbard, WR Warren Jackson, LB Emmanuel Jones, RB Marcus McElroy, S Jadon Walker and WR Darius Wise were the other true freshmen to see the field.

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.

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 appeared against Oregon State in a special teams role, 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).

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 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.
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

#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.

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.

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).

STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION
CSU's first game in its new on-campus stadium against Oregon State was the first FBS football game of the 2017 season. Broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network, the game was viewed by many in the industry. It's safe to say the Rams made quite a first impression in their new home.

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Game Notes: Colorado State to host Abilene Christian for Ag Day

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Players Mentioned

Alonso Archuleta

Robert Awunganyi

Jake Bennett

Chandler Birrell

Rashaad Boddie

Wyatt Bryan

Cam Butler

Jakob Buys

Darius Campbell

Dante Carnessale

Detrich Clark

Deonte Clyburn

Dalyn Dawkins

Chandler Drachslin

Justin Falls

John Freismuth

Michael Gallup

Zack Golditch

Conrad Harker

Anthony Hawkins

Houston Haynes

Jamal Hicks

Collin Hill

Ellison Hubbard

Hayden Hunt

Warren Jackson

Arjay Jean

Olabisi Johnson

Manny Jones

Richard King

Johnathan Lewis

Nathan Lucas

Izzy Matthews

Darius May

Toby McBride

Marcus McElroy, Jr.

Patrick Moody

Levi Osborn

Nate Ryken

Tyree Simmons

Tyler Smith

Nick Stevens

Corte Tapia

Jeff Taylor

Alex Tennant

Tre Thomas

Jadon Walker

Josh Watson

Darius Wise

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