Colorado State University Athletics

CSU vs. Hawai'i Postgame Notes & More

Colorado State vs. Hawai’i  – POSTGAME NOTES
Aug. 25, 2018 | Canvas Stadium | Fort Collins, Colo.
Hawai’i 43, Colorado State 34
 
Final Stat Packet (PDF) | Downloadable Postgame Audio
 
Game
  • CSU scored a touchdown on its first possession of the game, but was unable to find the end zone again until the second half.
  • CSU fell behind 30-7 at the half and was down 37-7 in the third quarter before scoring 27 points in the final 17:02 minutes of the game to bring the score to 40-34.
  • Following the loss, CSU is now 61-58-1 (.508) all time in season openers.
    • 23-16-1 (.575) in season openers at home.
      • First season opener at home that CSU has lost since 1993.
    • 15-10-0 all time against Hawai’i
  • Attendance was 31,007
    • Fourth-most for a CSU home opener
    • Second-most for an opener since 2004
      • 37,583 last season vs. Oregon State
      • 33,501 vs. Minnesota at Hughes Stadium in 2004
 
Individual
 
K.J. Carta-Samuels
  • The graduate transfer from Washington made his debut for the Rams, his first career start.
  • Completed 34-of-50 passes for 537 yards and five touchdowns.
    • Set the CSU record for most passing yards in a single game, and became the first CSU QB to throw for over 500 yards; 12th QB in CSU history to throw for at least 400 yards.
      • Previous record: Scooter Molander, 449 at Hawaii, Nov. 7, 1987
    • The 537 passing yards are second-most ever by a Mountain West quarterback
    • His five touchdown passes are tied for second-most in a game in CSU history.
      • First time since 12/22/16 (Nick Stevens, vs. Idaho; 5)
    • His 34 completions are the second-most in CSU history.
      • The record is 36 by Garrett Grayson, vs. Boise State, Nov. 2, 2013
    • Set career highs in passing yards, completions, and touchdowns.
    • Completed a 69-yard pass to Preston Williams, the longest of his career.
 
Preston Williams
  • Played his first game for CSU after transferring from Tennessee and sitting out the 2017 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
  • Had 9 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
    • Set career highs in receiving yards and tied his career high for touchdowns.
    • Had a 69-yard reception late in the third quarter, the longest of his career.
    • First 100-yard game of his career.
 
Olabisi Johnson
  • Had 6 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
    • Third 100-yard receiving game of his career (first in a regular season game)
 
Izzy Matthews
  • Led CSU in rushing with 63 rushing yards on 15 carries.
  • Had 6 catches for 58 yards and a receiving touchdown.
    • Set career highs for receptions and receiving yards.
 
Josh Watson
  • Led CSU with a career-high 13 tackles.
    • Also 0.5 TFLs, one pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
 
Jordan Fogal
  • Had a career-high 12 tackles and added half a tackle-for-loss
 
Other Notes
  • Colorado State scored a touchdown on its opening possession of the game with a 10-yard pass from K.J. Carta-Samuels to WR Olabisi Johnson.
  • Carta-Samuels was 7-10 for 70 yards on the drive.
  • RB Izzy Matthews added 25 yards on 4 carries.
  • TE Cameron Butler had 3 catches for 19 yards.
  • CSU scored 27 points in the second half.
    • Scored 20 unanswered points between the 2:12 mark in the third quarter and the 8:15 mark in the fourth quarter.
    • CSU scored on back-to-back possessions at the end of the third quarter that included a 2 play, 72-yard touchdown drive.           
      • Carta-Samuels connected with WR Olabisi Johnson on a 58-yard touchdown pass.
  • S Braylin Scott forced a fumble early in the fourth quarter that was recovered by LB Josh Watson.
  • Carta-Samuels threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Matthews to cut Hawai’i’s lead to six at the 4:42 mark in the fourth quarter. 
  • First time CSU had two receivers with over 100 yards receiving since WR Olabisi Johnson (265) and WR Michael Gallup (108) on Dec. 22 , 2016 vs. Idaho in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
    • WR Preston Williams had 188 yards and Johnson had 157 yards tonight.
  • CSU’s 653 total yards are the fifth-most in CSU single-game history.
    • Most yards since Nov. 22, 2014 when CSU played New Mexico.
  • CSU’s season captains are Jordan Fogal, Collin Hill, Josh Watson, and Adam Prentice.

Press Conference Video:

CSU head coach Mike Bobo



QB K.J. Carta-Samuels


 

Downloadable Postgame Audio

CSU Audio:
  • Head coach Mike Bobo
  • Safety Jordan Fogal
  • Quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels
  • Linebacker Josh Watson
  • Running back Izzy Matthews
  • Wide receiver Olabisi Johnson
Hawaii Audio:
  • Head coach Nick Rolovich
  • Quarterback Cole McDonald