Memorable Moments: Rams Pull Off Double-OT Thriller

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Sep 5

4:00 PM

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Sep 12

5:00 PM

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5:30 PM

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While most Ram fans may look back at a game from the 1990s or the 1930s and think about its historical nature, games from just 10 years ago even rank among history's greatest. One of the oldest and longest rivalries for Colorado State football is against the Utah State Aggies, dating back to the first game played in Logan, Utah in 1902. This nearly 120-year-old rivalry has seen some of the greatest matchups against the two schools, but few as thrilling as a double-overtime win in Logan on September 24, 2011.

The Rams came into Logan that night with a 2-1 record and hopes of rebounding from a tough 2010 season. Coach Steve Fairchild's team had signs of keeping that momentum rolling when they took on their historic rivals at Romney Stadium (Now Maverick Stadium) on a clear night with offensive guns Pete Thomas at quarterback and sophomore running back Chris Nwoke suiting up Merlin Olsen Field.

The story of this game boiled down to the very end and the great overtime stand which made it an epic win for the ages. The Rams defense played tremendous ball that night, recovering four fumbles in the game, the first time that had happed for CSU since 1997. Led by defensive coach Larry Kerr, men like Mike Orakpo, Elijah-Blu Smith and sophomore Shaquil Barrett, the Rams defense kept them in the game until the end. Barrett's recovered fumble for a touchdown in the third quarter helped pick up momentum for the Rams after they had been trailing 14-3 midway through the quarter.

With the Rams down 21-13 with only 42 seconds remaining on the game clock, Nwoke plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard run to tighten the margin to 21-19. Fairchild had no other choice than to call for the 2-point conversion, and Thomas connected with Crockett Gilmore to send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, Aggies star running back, Robert Turbin, scored a touchdown on the third play and an extra point put the Aggies on top. The Rams answered with a Thomas to Gilmore touchdown on the fifth play in overtime to tie it up again at 28.

In the second overtime, the Rams scored first thanks to a 2-yard run by Nwoke, his second of the day, and after a Ben DeLine extra point, the Rams led the game for the first time all night. It all boiled down to the Aggies chance to score on CSU and attempt a win on a 2-point conversion. Utah State may have nearly beaten the defending national champion Clemson Tigers the week before, but another nail-biter of a game came down to one play after Turbin scored a second touchdown in overtime.

Kerr knew the Aggies would give to ball to Turbin for the 2-point conversion and try to win the game at home. As Turbin got the ball, Rams junior cornerback Momo Thomas read the play perfectly and stopped Turbin short of the goal line for a CSU victory. The Rams improved their record to 3-1 and headed back to Fort Collins riding high on the only double overtime win in school history.

Unfortunately, it would be the last win of the season and the Fairchild coaching era. Gilmore went on to MWC honors at CSU and played four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Freshman Garrett Grayson, who ended up playing four games in 2011 and remains the school's leader in career passing attempts, yards and completions, became a Heisman candidate in his senior year and played for the New Orleans Saints. Shaq Barrett remains as one of the finest linebackers in the NFL today and has won World Championships with the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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