Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Tommy Joe Waido
Colorado State vs. Abilene Christian – POSTGAME NOTES
9/9/2017 6:54:00 PM | Football
Rams win, 38-10
- Colorado State honored its Aggie heritage on Saturday. Formerly the Colorado A&M Aggies (prior to 1957), CSU is now 8-0 all-time when donning the pumpkin and alfalfa uniforms.
- CSU compiled 605 yards of total offense on 78 plays. The 605 yards are the most the Rams have totaled under Head Coach Mike Bobo, and the most since the Rams posted 698 yards on 81 plays against New Mexico in 2014. Today's game was the second this season that the Rams have totaled more than 500 yards, and the sixth in their last seven games dating back to last season. Under Coach Bobo and offensive coordinator Will Friend, the Rams have exceeded 500 yards of total offense 11 times (4 in 2015, 5 in 2016, 2 in 2017).
- CSU sophomore safety Jamal Hicks had 2 interceptions. His 2 INTs mark the second consecutive game that a Ram has had a pair of picks – senior cornerback Kevin Nutt, Jr., had 2 INTs versus Colorado on Sept. 1. Before that, the most recent CSU player to have 2 INTs in a game was Tyree Simmons against New Mexico in 2014. Hicks now has 3 INTs in his career.
- As a team, the Rams have 7 interceptions through three games in 2017, compared to 8 INTs over 13 games a year ago.
- Senior wide receiver Michael Gallup had 10 catches for 103 yards and a TD. It's the third 10+ reception game of his career (second of 2017) and eighth 100+ yard game (second of 2017). Gallup is now alone in fifth all-time at CSU in career 100-yard games (record is 18 by Rashard Higgins, 2013-15).
- Gallup (10 catches, 103 yards), Olabisi Johnson (3-83) and Detrich Clark (6-67) were all threats in the passing game once again. All three players have had at least 65 yards receiving in each of the last two games.
- Junior running back Izzy Matthews led the team with 12 carries for 89 yards (7.4 avg), and added 3 receptions for 34 yards and a TD. His reception and receiving yardage totals were career highs, and his rushing totals were his best of 2017. His 22-yard TD reception was the first receiving TD of his career.
- The Rams totaled 268 yards on the ground. Matthews (12 carries, 89 yards) led the way, while senior RB Dalyn Dawkins (12-73) provided a season-best yardage total. QB Nick Stevens rattled off a 41-yard run late in the second quarter, and sophomore RB Marvin Kinsey, Jr. (5-26), scored his second rushing TD of the season.
- Junior linebacker Josh Watson led the team in tackles for the third game in a row to begin 2017. Watson finished with 7 tackles (4 solo, 1.5 TFL) and a pass breakup.
- Senior quarterback Nick Stevens went 25-for-40 for 337 yards and 3 TDs. Stevens has thrown for 300+ yards in all three games to open 2017, and now has six 300+ yard games in his career. Only three CSU QBs have had more career 300+ yard outings (Garrett Grayson [12, 2011-14], Terry Nugent [8, 1980-83], Scooter Molander [7, 1987-88], Kelly Stouffer [7, 1984-86]). Stevens has thrown multiple TDs in 9 of his last 10 contests.
- Abilene Christian connected on a 29-yard field goal at the 4:14 mark of the third quarter. It ended a span of 84:22 without points allowed by the CSU defense – a streak that began at the 13:36 mark of the second quarter last week against Colorado. ACU did score a special teams touchdown on a punt block at the 13:38 mark of the third quarter.
- The CSU defense did not allow the Wildcats to score an offensive TD. The Rams defense has not surrendered a TD since the 13:36 mark of the second quarter last week versus Colorado, a streak that currently sits at 1:03:36.
- True freshmen Joctavis Phillips and Livingston Paogofie made their collegiate debuts on Saturday, while JUCO transfer Kavapele Maka also made his CSU debut. Redshirt sophomore Brenden Fulton also played in his first career game as a Ram. 12 true freshmen have suited up for the Rams in 2017.
- The Rams are 2-1, marking the 59th time in program history they've opened a season with at least a 2-1 record. CSU has opened its season with a 2-1 mark in three of the last four years (2014, 2016).
- The Rams visit No. 1 Alabama next Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide are 2-0 this season, following wins over then-No. 3 Florida State and a win today over MW foe Fresno State. Alabama was ranked No. 1 when it defeated CSU 31-6 in the two teams' only prior meeting in 2013.
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