Setting the Stage: UNLV

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Sep 20

12-Days

Football

vs UTSA

Sep 27

5:30 PM

Football

vs Washington State

Oct 3

8:30 PM

Football

at San Diego State

Oct 10

7:00 PM

Football

vs Fresno State

Oct 18

5:00 PM

Football

vs Hawai'i

Colorado State (3-5, 2-2) vs. UNLV (2-6, 0-4)

Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

GAME LINKS

State Pride Uniforms Return

Running With the Plan

The Fresno State game was not Marcus McElroy's first start, but it was his initial step to getting back to the runner he believes he is, and in doing so, keep the Colorado State ground game strong.

The junior out of Mullen entered the game with 123 yards on 33 carries, but rushed 18 times for 117 yards and his first two career touchdowns in the victory. He broke out early, producing gains of 27 and 29 yards in the first quarter, finishing with four gains of 10 yards or more.

To keep his progress going, McElroy doesn't want to change a thing as he prepares for this Saturday.

"I focus on the same things, just being prepared for anything that goes on," McElroy said. "Take a little extra time to look at film, and for me personally, just making sure I have all my checks down and everything that goes on with when we get in a third-down situation, any situational ball we get thrown at, just being able to as soon as I get in the game, I don't have to think about it."

UNLV comes to Fort Collins allowing an average of 208.5 yards per game on the ground. The Rams haven't rushed for 200 yards in a game since eclipsing the total in back-to-back weeks against Arkansas and Toledo.

McElroy, now with the first 100-yard game under his belt, is looking for more of the same, and he now has the confidence he can carry the load and how to prepare for the challenge.

"That's my thing," he said. "If it works, don't change it, just keep it going."

State Pride

When they were first unveiled in 2017, the State Pride uniforms drew high praise from those in the industry. Even most traditional Colorado State fans, even if the school's green and gold were replaced by the blue, red and gold of the state flag.

McElroy didn't get to play in them, but he's excited to get the chance now.

"I like them. I think they're pretty cool," he said. "I like the way they look. Those things are clean."

Players have used part of the week to break in the blue cleats, but the real work belongs to assistant athletic director for equipment and operations Matt Lesser and his staff.

The change of the white helmets alone takes time and effort. Lesser said one intern spent nine hours on Monday replacing white face masks with blue. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, his staff will spend up to 14 additional hours replacing the decals on the side of the helmets.

Counter Attack

When UNLV lost starting quarterback Armani Rogers to injury in the loss to Wyoming, Kenyon Oblad has taken over and the Rebels have undergone changes. Oblad does not possess the running ability of Rogers, but he's proven to be a bit more effective in the passing game.

"Probably more than a little bit," CSU head coach Mike Bobo said. "They're not running as much. The guy does have athletic ability and can run, but Rogers, hell, he was such a threat when he ran the ball when I watched him last year. Oblad is not 6-foot-6, 250 like the Rogers kid, so it's a different quarterback back there.

"I think they've just been more willing to call passes and concepts. They still do stuff with RPOs and stuff off the power read, but they've probably done more true drop-back stuff with this kid."

Oblad isn't hitting on a high percentage (51.9 percent), but his 10-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio is better than what the Rebels have had. Even still, Bobo said the primary goal will be keeping Charles Williams in check. He was among the nation's best rushers early, but since taking a helmet to the knee against Wyoming, his numbers hadn't been the same until last week, when he rushed for 113 yards in the loss to San Diego State.

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