Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
1-3 , 1-3
San Diego State
4-3 , 4-2
Rams Drop Conference Trip to San Diego State, 29-17
12/5/2020 9:42:00 PM | Football
Colorado State allowed a pair of kick return touchdowns that proved to be the difference.
Playing their first game in 23 days - the longest gap between regular season games in 108 years - the Rams out-gained San Diego State offensively 265-247 and out-rushed one of the nation's best rushing teams 121-117. However, return touchdowns on consecutive special team plays put the Aztecs up 20-3 midway through the second quarter, and Colorado State was never able to close the gap.
A 17-point scoring outburst in the second quarter gave the Rams their points for the day beginning with a 43-yard field goal from freshman placekicker Robert Liss to make it 7-3.
After San Diego State added their return scores, the Rams stood up and responded with consecutive scoring drives, both ending in touchdown runs from senior back Marcus McElroy, Jr.
McElroy, Jr's second score of the day - a bruising 37-yard run that saw the Aurora, Colo., native bounce to the outside and run through a defender for the final eight yards - pulled the score to within six at 23-17, but that was as close as the Rams would get.
A scoreless third quarter followed the break, and the Aztecs added six points coming off two Colorado State turnovers to push it to the final margin.
The Rams return to action on Saturday, Dec. 12 for their final scheduled game of the regular season and just their second home game of the 2020 campaign when they welcome Utah State (1-4) to Canvas Stadium.
Team Stats
CSU 0, SDSU 7
SDSU - MATTHEWS, Jesse 8 yd pass from BROOKSHIRE, J. (ARAIZA, Matt kick) 12 plays, 81 yards, TOP 4:52
CSU 3, SDSU 7
CSU - LISS, R. 43 yd field goal 10 plays, 45 yards, TOP 3:11
CSU 3, SDSU 14
SDSU - BYRD, Jordan 93 yd kickoff return (ARAIZA, Matt kick)
CSU 3, SDSU 20
SDSU - BUSBEE, BJ 90 yd punt return (ARAIZA, Matt kickfailed)
CSU 10, SDSU 20
CSU - McELROY, M. 1 yd run (LISS, R. kick), 6 plays, 45 yards, TOP 1:55
CSU 10, SDSU 23
SDSU - ARAIZA, Matt 40 yd field goal 6 plays, 17 yards, TOP 2:24
CSU 17, SDSU 23
CSU - McELROY, M. 37 yd run (LISS, R. kick), 3 plays, 69 yards, TOP 0:53
CSU 17, SDSU 26
SDSU - ARAIZA, Matt 21 yd field goal 15 plays, 68 yards, TOP 7:07
CSU 17, SDSU 29
SDSU - ARAIZA, Matt 38 yd field goal 4 plays, -2 yards, TOP 1:50
