Colorado State University Athletics
Memorable Moments: A Rivalry Week Filled with History
10/17/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
No matter the score, Ram-Falcon matchups carry memories
Colorado State's football team faces its third in-state rival this week as it takes on the Air Force Falcons on the Academy grounds. It will be the 62nd meeting between the teams dating back to 1957. There have been nine games played between the two schools during this week of football, and the Rams hold a 6-3 record against the Falcons on games played between October 13 and October 19. Looking back at those games, there has been plenty of CSU history both in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.
October 19, 1968 – While CSU was shutout 31-0 in this lopsided game, it is noteworthy because it was the dedication of the new Hughes Stadium. Back in 1962, The Rams played the Falcons in their first game at the new Falcon Stadium, so CSU officials chose the Air Force game, the second to be played at the new "Showcase of the Rockies," to dedicate the new stadium in memory of the late Harry W. Hughes.
October 16, 1976 – Coach Sark Arslanian took his Rams to Falcon Stadium during a season where CSU football had seen some of its best growth in many years. They brought both an impressive offensive and defensive attack to AFA, with Rams quarterback Dan Graham connecting on 6-of-11 for the day with 65 yards and a touchdown pass to Mark R. Bell. Bruising running back Ron Harris scored two touchdowns as he worked his way up the ladder to the top spot on the all-time rushing leaderboard for the school record. The defense sacked the Falcon quarterback six times, three by Woodrow Carter, two by Al "Bubba" Baker and the third by Steve Crum. The final score of 27-3 helped pave the way to a 6-5 record in 1976.
October 14, 1978 – Arslanian and the Rams again returned to Falcon Stadium where a second half surge helped lift them to a 31-13 win over the Falcons. This time it was CSU quarterback Keith Lee who provided the offensive power by passing for two touchdowns and rushing for a third. The defensive star of the day went to one of the greatest defensive players in school history, Mike Bell. Bell recorded 11 tackles, two for losses and broke up two passes. He and his Ram teammate, Kent Campbell, smothered the Falcons to bring home another win from Colorado Springs.
October 16, 1982 – The 1982 football season was without a doubt one of rebuilding after they had gone 0-12 in 1981 and saw Arslanian fired mid-season. With Leon Fuller at the helm and the need to build a winning program, the Rams traveled to Falcon Stadium to take on Air Force before a crowd of 25,326 fans. The Rams would come out on top this day 21-11 thanks to 401 yards of total offense behind quarterback Terry Nugent. The Rams defense held the Falcons' third-ranked wishbone rushing offense to just 285 total yards on the day. Terry Nugent's 22-of-36 passes for 263 yards were the highlight of the afternoon.
October 19, 1985 – Homecoming at Hughes Stadium and the Falcons came to Fort Collins ranked No. 10 in the nation under their legendary coach Fisher DeBerry. The CSU players knew it would be a fight, but in the end, a tough Falcon team beat them 35-19. While that score sounds like CSU was not in the game, Rams fullback Steve Bartalo had one of his finest days of his career to that point. CSU played Air Force so hard, DeBerry addressed the CSU football team in their locker room at Hughes Stadium to tell them they had played Air Force harder than any other team to that point in the season. Rams center Guy Goar said DeBerry's visit gave the team a boost of confidence on the season.
October 17, 1992 – Coach Earle Bruce brought his Ram team to Falcon Stadium on a sunny day to face the Falcons, rallying for a very close 32-28 victory. The Rams capitalized on Falcon mistakes and turnovers. Ray Jackson knocked down a pitch attempt and recovered the ball to help set up a score while the defense held the Falcons at key moments of the game. CSU quarterback Anthoney Hill connected on important passes, including a key 27-yard touchdown pass to Matt Phillips. With eight minutes left, Ram fullback Geoff Grenier battered his way in for a touchdown to put CSU ahead for good as the defense held off a final Falcon drive.
October 16, 2003 – In a Thursday night ESPN2 televised game, the Rams, behind senior quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt and sophomore wide receiver David Anderson took control over the Falcons in a 30-20 win before 32,701 fans at Hughes Stadium. Anderson, who went on to a career in the NFL and is an inductee in the CSU Hall of Fame, had nine receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown. Fellow Hall of Famer Van Pelt's 258 yards of passing, 109 in the 32-point second quarter, made this a lopsided victory for CSU.
October 13, 2007 – The Rams lost 45-21 at Hughes Stadium in coach Sonny Lubick's final game against Air Force. Lubick went 9-6 against Fisher DeBerry's Falcons from 1993 to 2007.
October 17, 2015 – The last time the Rams beat the Falcons was a 38-23 homecoming victory at a sold out Hughes Stadium before 32,546 fans. The offense was led by quarterback Nick Stevens, who connected with Joe Hansley for two touchdowns in the first half. Stevens ended the day with 296 yards of passing while Rashard Higgins had seven receptions for 74 yards. On defense it was Trent Mathews who had 15 tackles leading the way along with Deonte Clyburn and Kevin Pierre-Louis who had 10 tackles each.
As the Rams travel to Colorado Springs, they will play the 10th game against Air Force during this one-week stretch in time. No matter the contest, it will prove to be a fight anytime the Rams enter Falcon Stadium, looking to bring home the Ram-Falcon Trophy for the first time in many years.
October 19, 1968 – While CSU was shutout 31-0 in this lopsided game, it is noteworthy because it was the dedication of the new Hughes Stadium. Back in 1962, The Rams played the Falcons in their first game at the new Falcon Stadium, so CSU officials chose the Air Force game, the second to be played at the new "Showcase of the Rockies," to dedicate the new stadium in memory of the late Harry W. Hughes.
October 16, 1976 – Coach Sark Arslanian took his Rams to Falcon Stadium during a season where CSU football had seen some of its best growth in many years. They brought both an impressive offensive and defensive attack to AFA, with Rams quarterback Dan Graham connecting on 6-of-11 for the day with 65 yards and a touchdown pass to Mark R. Bell. Bruising running back Ron Harris scored two touchdowns as he worked his way up the ladder to the top spot on the all-time rushing leaderboard for the school record. The defense sacked the Falcon quarterback six times, three by Woodrow Carter, two by Al "Bubba" Baker and the third by Steve Crum. The final score of 27-3 helped pave the way to a 6-5 record in 1976.
October 14, 1978 – Arslanian and the Rams again returned to Falcon Stadium where a second half surge helped lift them to a 31-13 win over the Falcons. This time it was CSU quarterback Keith Lee who provided the offensive power by passing for two touchdowns and rushing for a third. The defensive star of the day went to one of the greatest defensive players in school history, Mike Bell. Bell recorded 11 tackles, two for losses and broke up two passes. He and his Ram teammate, Kent Campbell, smothered the Falcons to bring home another win from Colorado Springs.
October 16, 1982 – The 1982 football season was without a doubt one of rebuilding after they had gone 0-12 in 1981 and saw Arslanian fired mid-season. With Leon Fuller at the helm and the need to build a winning program, the Rams traveled to Falcon Stadium to take on Air Force before a crowd of 25,326 fans. The Rams would come out on top this day 21-11 thanks to 401 yards of total offense behind quarterback Terry Nugent. The Rams defense held the Falcons' third-ranked wishbone rushing offense to just 285 total yards on the day. Terry Nugent's 22-of-36 passes for 263 yards were the highlight of the afternoon.
October 19, 1985 – Homecoming at Hughes Stadium and the Falcons came to Fort Collins ranked No. 10 in the nation under their legendary coach Fisher DeBerry. The CSU players knew it would be a fight, but in the end, a tough Falcon team beat them 35-19. While that score sounds like CSU was not in the game, Rams fullback Steve Bartalo had one of his finest days of his career to that point. CSU played Air Force so hard, DeBerry addressed the CSU football team in their locker room at Hughes Stadium to tell them they had played Air Force harder than any other team to that point in the season. Rams center Guy Goar said DeBerry's visit gave the team a boost of confidence on the season.
October 17, 1992 – Coach Earle Bruce brought his Ram team to Falcon Stadium on a sunny day to face the Falcons, rallying for a very close 32-28 victory. The Rams capitalized on Falcon mistakes and turnovers. Ray Jackson knocked down a pitch attempt and recovered the ball to help set up a score while the defense held the Falcons at key moments of the game. CSU quarterback Anthoney Hill connected on important passes, including a key 27-yard touchdown pass to Matt Phillips. With eight minutes left, Ram fullback Geoff Grenier battered his way in for a touchdown to put CSU ahead for good as the defense held off a final Falcon drive.
October 16, 2003 – In a Thursday night ESPN2 televised game, the Rams, behind senior quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt and sophomore wide receiver David Anderson took control over the Falcons in a 30-20 win before 32,701 fans at Hughes Stadium. Anderson, who went on to a career in the NFL and is an inductee in the CSU Hall of Fame, had nine receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown. Fellow Hall of Famer Van Pelt's 258 yards of passing, 109 in the 32-point second quarter, made this a lopsided victory for CSU.
October 13, 2007 – The Rams lost 45-21 at Hughes Stadium in coach Sonny Lubick's final game against Air Force. Lubick went 9-6 against Fisher DeBerry's Falcons from 1993 to 2007.
October 17, 2015 – The last time the Rams beat the Falcons was a 38-23 homecoming victory at a sold out Hughes Stadium before 32,546 fans. The offense was led by quarterback Nick Stevens, who connected with Joe Hansley for two touchdowns in the first half. Stevens ended the day with 296 yards of passing while Rashard Higgins had seven receptions for 74 yards. On defense it was Trent Mathews who had 15 tackles leading the way along with Deonte Clyburn and Kevin Pierre-Louis who had 10 tackles each.
As the Rams travel to Colorado Springs, they will play the 10th game against Air Force during this one-week stretch in time. No matter the contest, it will prove to be a fight anytime the Rams enter Falcon Stadium, looking to bring home the Ram-Falcon Trophy for the first time in many years.
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