Inside the Lines
Fresh faces CSU boasts bevy of young talent PAGE 7
Sept. 2, 2016
Rocky Mountain Showdown
Nick Stevens:
UNdaunted PAGE 6
Home on the Rockies
Flashback Friday
PAGE 4
PAGE 12
Denver native Paul Thurston comes home
2002 game remains greatest Showdown of all time
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Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
Letters from the enemy Justin Guerriero
CU Indepdendent Sports Editor
Collegian Sports Editor Chad Deutschman and CU Independent Sports Editor Justin Guerriero trade words discussing the CU-CSU rivalry, this year’s Showdown and share their predictions. Chad Deustchman: There is an obvious passion between fans of CSU and CU, look no further than the chants both sides dish out every year, but we don't hear a lot about how the players feel. How do CU players feel about CSU football? Do they view the Rams as a legitimate rivalry? Justin Guerriero: In terms of the fan’s overall general mentality, I think they enjoy the hell
out of the Rocky Mountain Showdown. I will say though, there is a contingent of CU fans that despise the game and think of CSU as an inferior institution. In my experience, these people are mostly made up of a so-called "old guard" of fans. In other words, people that remember CU competing with Nebraska and Oklahoma back in the glory days of the late 80s-early 90s. But I couldn't disagree more with those people. I don't know how they look at CU's football program, which has been garbage for about a decade now, and rationalize calling CSU an unworthy opponent. Once we can handle the Rams with relative ease, then the Buffs can start to develop more legitimate and intense rivalries with schools of the Pac-12. I think the current players feel the same. They're not cocky and certainly are not dismissive of the Rams; the Rams have beaten many of the guys on the roster. So to answer the original question posed, I think the players definitely view this rivalry as legitimate and worthy of their best effort. Beating CSU is some-
thing that every man on the roster desires greatly. CD: The Rams are going to run early and often this year. The run game will be their biggest strength. CSU put up 218 yards on the ground last year in the Showdown. While the Buffs return a ton of talent on the defensive end, how do you see them fairing against an improved Rams run game? JG: On paper, I have full confidence in the Buffs' defensive abilities. Experience, as you noted, is a key strength of this 2016 Buffaloes team. I usually talk to Buffs head coach Mike MacIntyre after practice a few times a week and that question has been raised. He does not take the Rams' run game lightly, and neither does the defense, for that matter. Last season, the Rams were very successful on the ground against CU and they will definitely be looking to repeat that success Friday. But I am confident that the Buffs are going to be an improved unit in terms of containing the enemy's run game. Specifically, I'm talking
about the linebackers. Addison Gillam is looking like his old self again. I expect him to be a force to be reckoned with. I've heard good things about CSU's offensive line, but if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on the Buffs' defense having the upper hand and limiting the Rams' ability to gain yardage via the run game. CD: The teams have alternated wins the past few years. CSU fans like to think the "little brother" stigma placed on them by CU fans is a thing of the past and that there is not any significant difference between the two programs. Is CU on a mission to prove that the Buffs are still the top dog in Colorado? JG: I really do think that a lot of CU fans have those thoughts about CSU. At the end of the day, all that separates the Buffs and the Rams is that CU had some national success for the better part of a decade in the late 80s/early 90s. We'll always hold that over your heads. But other than that, the two
programs aren't that different. I think that the players view this game as an opportunity to make a statement. If they can come in and manhandle an inexperienced CSU team, and look good doing so, it'll help their case for national recognition. turning so many starters on both sides of the ball and are sick and tired of blowing winnable games. CD: The moment we've all been waiting for, your prediction? Will CU take care of business or can a young Colorado State team get redemption for last year? JG: 31-14 Buffs. I know...I’m cocky. I can live with that. Let me just make it clear that the score prediction requires the Buffs to do away with their usual sins: offensive inefficiency, struggles in the red zone, and leaving the defense out on the field for ridiculous amounts of time.
Collegian staff picks the Rocky Mountain Showdown Chad Deutschman
Colton Strickler
Eric Wolf
Justin Michael
Sports Editor
Asst. Sports Editor
Football Reporter
Columnist
This year's Showdown pits inexperience against experience. Not a great combo for CSU fans. The Rams offense will be fine as long as they can spread the ball around well enough so the Buffs don't stack the box. With only three returning starters, the CSU defense needs to settle into the game fast. Josh Watson and Kevin Davis should anchor this linebacker group, and they will need to play big. My heart says yes, but my head says no.
CU 31, CSU 20
The run game will be the difference for the Rams. CSU boasts a strong offensive line and if they can get Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews going the Rams have a good shot to win. The game will boil down to what the Rams can do defensively, which will be tough considering the inexperience on the defensive line and in the secondary. This game will go either way, but I expect the Rams to win.
CSU 24, CU 21
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This publication is not an official publication of Colorado State University, but is published by an independent corporation using the name ‘The Rocky Mountain Collegian’ pursuant to a license granted by CSU. The Rocky Mountain Collegian is a 6,500-circulation student-run newspaper intended as a public forum. It publishes four days a week during the regular fall and spring semesters. During the last eight weeks of summer Collegian distribution drops to 3,500 and is published weekly. During the first four weeks of summer the Collegian does not publish. Corrections may be submitted to the editor in chief and will be printed as necessary on page two. The Collegian is a complimentary publication for the Fort Collins community. The first copy is free. Additional copies are 25 cents each. Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@collegian.com.
Dalyn Dawkins, Izzy Matthews, freshman Marvin Kinsey and CSU's experienced offensive line will do their best to keep this game competitive throughout. CU's experienced defense and the Ram's running game will cancel each other out, but Sefo Liufau and company will be able to move the ball on the Rams defense. Semi-bold prediction, Dalyn Dawkins will make an impact play on a kickoff return, but a special teams score won't be enough for the Rams.
The Rams defense is extremely inexperienced, especially along the defensive line and in the secondary. If CU can establish the run behind an experienced offensive line, it will open things up for QB Sefo Liufau and it will be a long night for Ram fans. Offensively, CSU will look to rely on the ground and pound. If the Rams can run the ball effectively and control the pace of the game, they will have a much better chance. CU wins a close one,.
CU 27, CSU 20
EDITORIAL STAFF | 970-491-7513 Erik Petrovich | Editor-in-Chief editor@collegian.com Julia Rentsch | Managing Editor editor@collegian.com Chad Deutschman | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com Keegan Pope | Special Section Design Editor esports@collegian.com Colton Strickler | Assistant Sports Editor sports@collegian.com Eric Wolf | Sports Reporter sports@collegian.com Justin Michael | Sports Reporter sports@collegian.com
CU 30, CSU 24
ADVISING STAFF
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Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
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Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
Mountain Man
Paul Thurston returns to Colorado State after four years at Nebraska
PHOTO BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN
By Eric Wolf When the lights come on at Sports Authority field on Friday night, plenty of Colorado State players will run through the tunnel wearing the Ram uniform for the first time. Paul Thurston will be one of them, but he is not like the rest of them. He’s a little older, looks a little bit wiser, and none of the newcomers sport the facial hair Thurston wears. (Line mate Fred Zerblis might be the only player on the team to challenge him in that). All of the new players have their own story of how they ended up at CSU, but Thurston took a much longer road to get to CSU than any of them. In the end, it's a road that led him straight to the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
Lincoln
A senior graduate transfer from Nebraska, Thurston grew up down the road in Arvada, Colorado as the second brother in a family with four daughters. Both of his parents, Greg and Janet, are CSU alums graduating in ‘87 and ‘86 respectively. Now, their son has a chance to play for their old school. “(It’s) obviously incredibly special,” Greg said. “It’s fun to think that he will be playing for CSU, that’s our alma mater. To have him back in this state is really neat.” Greg spent a year playing col-
lege football at the University of Mines before a broken neck ended his football career. After that, he transferred to CSU, football was out of his system. Greg, now a pastor, spent his Saturday’s at CSU studying for Seminary instead of at Hughes Stadium, but he knew what kind of lessons football could impart on a young man. So when Paul was old enough he started playing football, and ended up playing high school ball at Arvada West, where his uncle Guy was on the coaching staff. Guy, and Paul's other uncle Brant, both spent time playing football at the University of Colorado. From his family's football lineage, it seemed like Paul was destined to be a Buff. But Guy and Brant both played before the glory days of Bill McCartney and national championships, neither of them had good experiences at the University. So when it came time for Paul to continue his career in college, he chose the University of Nebraska, CU’s archrival. He went to the school with his family's blessing, his Uncles did not want a repeat of their experience at CU. Yet, he was still a Colorado kid headed to play for the hated Huskers. “I got a lot of flak for that. A lot of friends and stuff like that were like 'how can you go to Nebraska',” Thurston said.
Coming Back
As 2016 spring ball finished at Nebraska, Thurston decided to start looking at other options. He had been competing for a starting job at Nebraska, and he had plenty of experience playing at the school, but he wanted something different. When he opened up his options, CSU was one of the first schools that came calling. It did not take long for Thurston to answer. “I really loved what they had to say and I then came out here and took a visit and I loved just being around the guys and the coaches," Thurston said. "Then the fact of being able to come back home and playing in front of family and all of that. It was like I need to go home, so it just felt right." Thurston took fast to the team, especially his linemates and offensive line coach Will Friend. “I love coach Friend. He’s a great coach," he said. "He knows what he is talking about. I could see that when I was talking to him that he could help me improve as a player. That made it easy.” Thurston is not the only one who could not be happier about where he is in his football life. “Coach Friend is amazing and he’s done, wow he’s done incredible work, and so it’s fun to watch Paul develop under him. Paul is getting coaching that he never had before,” Greg Thurston said. The transition to CSU was
special, for both father and son. Greg remembers a phone call he got from his son early on in his time at the school. “He said, 'Dad, I’ve been here three weeks and I’m closer with these lineman than I ever was with the lineman at Nebraska.' That’s pretty cool. I thought that was really neat,” Greg said. For Paul, it was a smooth transition. He walked into an offensive line room with a lot of experience, but he had some wisdom to shell out on his own. His line mates appreciated that. They loved how quickly he gelled with them and got to work. And he picked up the system quickly. Come Friday night, Thurston will be making his Rams debut as a starting offensive lineman.
Proper Welcoming
Growing up in Colorado, with his CU and CSU ties, Thurston had plenty of experience with the Rocky Mountain Showdown. “This is a game that you have seen on TV all those years growing up," Thurston said. "It’s a game you have heard about, and to actually be a part of it will be an interesting experience.” Though nobody in his family was a diehard Buffaloes fan, Thurston said that he “definitely” rooted for the Buffs growing up. That all changed during his time in Lincoln. “It was funny, when I was out in Nebraska and you know CSU started getting better and started making that rise I found myself
kind of cheering for CSU just because all of these years it’s been CU, CU,” Thurston said. And now Thurston’s back home, he’s back here with a chance to be a part of it all. He’d been to a few CU games growing up, but never to the showdown. It’s a unique experience. He’s the Colorado kid coming home. The first time he gets any firsthand experience with the showdown, he’s running out on the field, with his family in the stands. “Here we are as Rams and we have been Rams since we graduated," Greg Thurston said. "It will be pretty great to go there and watch not just Paul but watch the whole CSU football team battle it out. We are thrilled that we can watch him and be apart of it." “Now, to be able to come into this program and have a chance to go play CU, that’s just a huge thing. I’m super excited for it,” Thurston said. But Thurston tries to not get too far ahead of himself. He knows how big of a game it is, but he is not going to psych himself out, he's played in plenty of those before. He is excited, but for now, he’s just grateful for the opportunity. It’s been a long and wayward journey, but come Friday night, one thing is certain when he runs out into Sports Authority field; he will be home.
Eric Wolf can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
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Friday, September 2, 2016
Stevens not concerned with obstacles, critics as he enters 2016 season After up and down 2015 season, redshirt junior returns as headliner of three-man QB battle By Chad Deutschman
I
n 2012 former Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson was named the starter heading into his sophomore season. On Sept. 24, 2013, he was injured in a game against Air Force, bringing an end to his season. Grayson came back from injury in 2013 to start all 14 games the Rams played and put up one of the best statistical seasons a Colorado State quarterback has ever had, becoming just the fourth ever 3,000-yard passer in CSU history and leading CSU to a win over Pac-12 member Washington State in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Current CSU quarterback Nick Stevens redshirted in 2013, becoming eligible to play in 2014. The Rams had just finished a successful campaign under head coach Jim McElwain and seemed to have found a quarterback in Garrett Grayson to lead the team into the future. Colorado State fans should have been thrilled with the outlook of the program, and most were, but many called for redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens to start ahead of the man who just put up one the best seasons in CSU’s quarterback history. “I think (fan criticism) happens with everything. It probably doesn’t happen as much if your team is going undefeated, but there are always people that are going to want change.” Stevens said while speaking about why he felt fans might have wanted that change. Having Stevens take over for Grayson probably never crossed the mind of coach McElwain, but there was a fan call for it. Benching Grayson in 2014 almost seems blasphemes now, as he went on to have the single greatest season in CSU history, completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,006 yards, 32 touchdowns while throwing just seven interceptions en route to being named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the year on a CSU team that finished 10-3. Stevens saw the field in five games in 2014, but wouldn’t see real action until 2015.
He said he did hear some of the calls for him to play over Grayson, but it went in one ear and out the other, never letting it consume his thoughts. “I don’t think it’s that hard to block it out,” Stevens said. “It’s a lot different when you’re sitting in the locker room, you’re out there on the practice field. You can see everything that’s going on and the rest is just kind of outside noise. It happens in every situation on every team, so I try not to take it too personally.” It is one thing to want the team to go undefeated every year; it is another to realize what is best for the team. “Everything worked out perfectly for Garrett (Grayson). He’s in the NFL now getting paid. I’m not worried about it at all and try not to pay too much attention to
Nick Stevens Height: 6’3 Weight: 205 Year: RS Junior Hometown: Murrieta, Calif.
it.”
Jim McElwain departed for the University of Florida following the 2014 season, making room for current head coach Mike Bobo to take the helm. That left Stevens heading into his sophomore season with a new offense to learn in a season where he was the heir apparent to Grayson. The transition to a new offense opened up a quarterback battle, as all the players were starting at square one and had no more experience than the guy standing next to them. Stevens and then redshirt freshman Coleman Key topped the depth chart to start the season and embarked on a quarterback competition that lasted into the second week of the season. Stevens was able to separate himself from Key, being named the lone-starter for the Rocky Mountain Showdown and rest of the season by week three. Once he became the lone-starter in 2015, it became an up and down season, with CSU finishing 7-6 and losing in the Nova Home Loans Arizona
Bowl against Nevada. Stevens finished the season throwing for 2,697 yards and 21 touchdowns. His 2015 yardage totals ranked second in the Mountain West and set a CSU record for the most passing yards by a sophomore, helping him earn a spot on the All-Mountain West second team. Heading into 2016, Stevens has found himself in a similar situation to what Garrett Grayson went through in coming into 2014. He has played one full season, and played well, yet still hasn’t secured his starting spot. Instead, graduate transfer Faton Bauta and freshman Collin Hill have joined Stevens on the depth chart for a three-horse quarterback battle heading into this year’s Rocky Mountain Showdown. In the same way he treated the rumors of himself starting above Grayson, Stevens tries not worry about losing his starting spot. “If you get frustrated with it, it’s going to take away from your performance,” he said. “So I just looked at it as an opportunity to prove myself and improve myself. I think it really helped me out a lot this year and I think that the strides I’ve made since I’ve been in the competition have been really helpful and really positive.” The competition started during practice for the bowl game, as Colorado State brought in veteran quarterbacks, looking to add another quarterback to the roster. Faton Bauta happened to be the veteran quarterback to join the roster. “We brought guys in during bowl practice and it was very eminent to Nick (Stevens) and J.C. (Robles) that we were actively trying to recruit a veteran quarterback,” head coach Mike Bobo said. “I’m always talking about competition to the team and to that room. Even to guys when they’re watching practice to after we signed Faton (Bauta), when he came on campus, Nick hadn’t blinked an eye. He concentrated on what he needed
to concentrate on and that’s himself.” Bringing in a new quarterback to potentially take your place when you started the year before can be a hard thing to cope with, but Stevens has listened to his coach, and not tried to be anything other than himself. “We talk a lot about in that room about ‘control what you can control’ and the only thing he can control is how he goes about his business every single day, and he’s done a nice job of that,” Bobo said, speaking about how Stevens has handled another quarterback competition. “Like I told all of them: I appreciate the way they compete and how they go about their business, I apprePHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
ciate how they treat each other and I appreciate how they’re there for the team and Nick is a very good example of that.” In the midst of a battle, Stevens and his peers have not let the possibility of starting cloud their judgment of what it means to be a part of the Colorado State football team. When you are competing against the name next to yours in the locker room, tensions can rise. That hasn’t been the case in the CSU room. “If you want it to (affect your relationships), sure. The type of person I am, the type of person everybody in our room is, we don’t have those kinds see Stevens on page 13 >>
Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
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New faces bring excitement, concern for Colorado State coaching staff
Colorado State freshman quarterback Collin Hill throws a pass during a recent practice. Hill is one of a handful of newcomers that impressed coaches. PHOTO BY KEEGAN POPE COLLEGIAN
By Eric Wolf It seems like for the majority of fall camp the talk surrounding the CSU football team, outside of the quarterback position, focused on the youth and the inexperience surrounding this team. Come Friday night at 6:00 p.m., there is no more talking about it. It’s all on display for the first time. “(I am) a little nervous about all the young guys that we have to play, but at the same time, you are excited to see what they do. (I’m) excited to see how they react when the lights are on. You want guys that embrace it,” coach Mike Bobo said. Out of fall camp, coach Bobo made it clear. A significant number of the team’s contributors will be players who are putting on the Ram uniform for the first time. Offensively, quarterback Collin Hill, receivers Michael Gallup and Dietrich Clark, as well as tight end Dalton Fackrell and running back Marvin Kinsey could all play a big role Friday night. True freshmen Toby Mc-
Bride, Christian Colon and Jamal Hicks should see reps on the defense. For the coaching staff and the other players, it’s exciting that they finally have a chance to see what their young guys can do in an actual game. They have seen it all through practice, but now the situation is real. “I think it’s always fun to see some of the guys that you have recruited or guys that you have seen make a lot of improvement through the offseason and kind of see what they do when they get a chance,” offensive coordinator Will Friend said. "I think there is definitely a few juco guys like Mike (Gallup) and freshman like Marvin (Kinsey) who are just gonna go out there and show people what I've been seeing since August 3rd," offensive lineman Jake Bennett said. But it’s not just the newcomers. The team has to replace 13 starters from a season ago. Bobo stressed that there are plenty of guys who have been with this program for two or three years who are finally going to see significant action
for the first time. Guys like Nolan Peralta, Danny Nwosu, Jake Schlager, Evan Colorito, even the whole defensive line. Position converts Jordon Vaden and Marcus Wilson might as well be in that group. All of them have been at the program for a while, but now the stage is theirs. And no stage is bigger than the Rocky Mountain showdown. For the young guys and the older players who are going to see the field significantly for the first time, Friday night is the proper welcome to college football. "That's where those guys will shine," offensive lineman Zach Golditch said. "The guys who are putting in all the hard work and preparing, they are going to stand out. There's no better game to make your debut in, and to make plays then that stage. Especially week one and that opponent.” With all of the youth and inexperience, the coaching staff have tried to drive home to players that mistakes are going to happen, they just need to
to be able to react accordingly. That’s the biggest thing. “You can’t be afraid to fail," Bobo said. "I tell them all the time, you can’t be afraid to make a mistake." “We are not gonna play the perfect game, you never do and there’s gonna be mistakes physical and mental,” defensive coordinator Marty English said. “That’s really where you need your experience, and how you bounce back from that stuff, it’s only gonna come with time.” The experience the players need, and the coaches need out of their players certainly is not going to come from one game, but it’s a good place to start. The Rocky Mountain showdown is a high-pressure scenario. They are tested early. English said it’s up to the veterans on his defense to settle down the young guys when those mistakes are made, and to keep them focused on moving to the next play. And a lot of the veteran guys have been working on preparing the inexperienced players mentally for Friday
night. The veterans have been preaching to the new guys that they have been playing football their whole lives, Friday night is simply one more game, just a little bit bigger. “It’s just another game,” Golditch said. “They practice, they eat, they breathe, they have friends, they lift. They do all those things, it’s just someone in a different jersey (this time)." And for any players who still need some pre-game advice, Jake Bennett has some from his first experience in the showdown. “Just probably be a little bit naive and don’t understand where you are at. I was kind of too young and stupid to kind of understand what was going on," he said. "I think I was just too overwhelmed with actually getting to play that I didn't really think about it until I was holding the trophy that year.”
Eric Wolf can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
Inside The Lines
Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
Friday, September 2, 2016
When the Rams are on defense... Colorado State Colorado
68 - Gerrad Kough, LG, 6-4, 295, Junior
8 - Jake Schlager, FS, 5-11, 195, Junior
74 - Alex Kelley, C, 6-2, 305, Senior
29 - Justin Sweet, SS, 5-10, 190, Junior
56 - Tim Lynott, RG, 6-3, 300, Freshman
5 - Tyree Simmons, RCB, 5-11, 190, Senior
71-Sam Kronshage, RT, 6-6, 295, Junior
81 - Olabisi Johnson, WR, 6-0, 190, Sophomore
54 - Samson Kafovalu, DT, 6-4, 295, Senior
19 - Sammie Long, WR, 6-3, 195, Junior
95 - Derek McCartney. OLB, 6-3, 250, Junior
23 - Marcus Wilson, WR, 5-10, 190, Sophomore
31 - Kenneth Olugbode, ILB, 6-1, 220, Senior
32 - Nolan Peralta, TE, 6-3, 245, Senior
32 - Rick Gamboa, ILB, 6-0, 230, Sophomore
76 - Nick Callender, LT, 6-6, 325, Senior
98 - Jimmie Gilbert, OLB, 6-5, 230, Senior
55- Paul Thurston, LG, 6-5, 300, Senior
4 - Chidobe Awuzie, CB, 6-0, 205, Senior
77 - Jake Bennett, C, 6-3, 290, Junior
25 - Ryan Moeller, FS, 6-1, 215, Junior
54 - Fred Zerblis, RG, 6-3, 305, Senior
9 - Tedric Thompson, SS, 6-0, 205, Senior
61 - Zack Golditch, LG, 6-6, 295, Junior
26 - Isiah Oliver, CB, 6-1, 190, Sophomore
719 S Lemay Ave (970) 493-3041 3710 S College Ave (970) 223-4399 www.Wendys.com
GOOD LUCK RAMS! Proud supporter of the CSU Rams for 35 years!
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1405 W Elizabeth St (970) 484-7131
10
58 - Josh Tupou, NT, 6-3, 325, Senior
20
1 - Dalyn Dawkins, RB, 5-9, 175, Junior
29
30
92 - Jordan Carrell, DE, 6-3, 200, Senior
40
7 - Nick Stevens, QB, 6-3, 205, Junior
7 1
50
When the Rams are on offense... Colorado Colorado State
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11 - Jordon Vaden, LCB, 6-3, 195, Senior
4 19
10
76 - Jeromy Irwin, LT, 6-5, 295, Junior
95 92 54 98 58 23 76 55 77 54 61 32
20
33 - Kevin Davis, WLB, 6-2, 240, Senior
26 81
30
81 - Sean Irwin, TE, 6-3, 250, Senior
40
55 - Josh Watson, MLB, 6-2, 235, Sophomore
32
31
50
2 - Devin Ross, WR, 5-9, 185, Junior
25
40
52 - Tre Thomas, SLB, 6-2, 235, Sophomore
9
5 4
43
33
55
8 52
92 94 91 81 72 56 67 58 74 13 23
2
30
43 - Evan Colorito, RDE, 6-4. 245, Junior
1 - Shay Fields, WR, 5-11, 180, Junior
11 1
20
4 - Bryce Bobo, WR, 6-2,190, Junior
10
91 - Jakob Buys, DT, 6-4, 265, Junior
Colorado
40
23 - Phillip Lindsay, RB, 5-8, 190, Junior
20 30
92 - Josh Lovingood, NT, 6-4, 290, Junior
10
13 - Sefo Liufau, QB, 6-4, 230, Senior
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94 - Darnell Thompson, LDE, 6-4, 270, Junior
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KEEGAN POPE COLLEGIAN
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Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
Buffs Spotlight
Rams Spotlight
Nick Stevens, QB Sefo Liufau, QB
21
Touchdowns in 2015
9
Touchdowns in 2015
60.8 62.2 Completion Percentage
THEY SAID IT: "I think he's a lot more put together. He's a very, very smart guy and knows what he's doing. He's confident. I believe in him, and I think he's matured a lot, too. He's knowing what to do, knowing what the checks are and that's the type of guy we need on this team."
Completion Percentage
7-6 8-23 Record as a Starter
Record as a Starter
-CSU left tackle Zack Golditch
THEY SAID IT: “They see that heightened intensity. When they see other people overcome things with the work ethic and the time they have to put into it, they understand it. If you know your friend’s hopes and dreams and you can help him reach them, then you’re going to do a little more to reach his hopes and dreams. That’s what I see that Sefo has done with this team.”
-CU head coach Mike MacIntyre
Coaches’ Corner
Coaches’ Corner
Mike Bobo
Mike MacIntyre Coaching Career
Coaching Career 1998 1999 2000 2001-06 2007-14 2015-Present
Georgia (admin) Georgia (GA) Jacksonville State (QB) Georgia (QB) Georgia (OC/QB) Colorado State
THEY SAID IT: "He’s very passionate about his job. He takes it seriously. With his offensive skills, he can definitely help them improve and move the ball. He’s a high-energy guy. He’s going to get on you, but it’s going to make you better. His offense really helps young guys and gets you ready for an NFL career if you get that opportunity. He’s going to be balanced and utilize his talents.”
-LA Rams RB Todd Gurley
7-6
Career Record
26-48
Georgia (GA) 1990–1991 Davidson (DC) 1992 UT –Martin (DC) 1993–1996 Temple (DC) 1997–1998 Ole Miss (WR) 1999–2000 Ole Miss (DB) 2001-2002 2003–2006 Dallas Cowboys (DB) New York Jets (DB) 2007 Duke (DC) 2008–2009 San Jose State 2010–2012 2013–present Colorado
Career Record
$1.35M $2.2M 2 7 Annual Salary
Years as Head Coach
Annual Salary
Years as Head Coach
THEY SAID IT: “He coached our wide receivers my freshman year, so I worked closely with him on our passing game, and then for the next two years I got to throw against his secondary every day in practice when he coached the defensive backs, which was invaluable in my preparation.”
-New York Giants QB Eli Manning
Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
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Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
2002 RMS ranks as best in history By Justin Michael
In a state that lives for the Broncos 365 days a year, the Rocky Mountain Showdown is the one day a year where college football truly reigns supreme. Throughout the rivalry, some of the greatest and most exciting games in the history of both Colorado State and Colorado football have come against each other. Winning the in-state matchup sets the tone for the entire season and whether either school will admit it or not, this game means a lot to both programs involved. Over the past two decades, the game has tended to be extremely competitive, no matter the state of either program. When both programs were struggling, the game was considered one of the few winnable weeks on the schedule for either team. In other seasons, it can be the difference in being bowl eligible or not. However, in the early 2000’s, when both programs were thriving, the RMS could have been the difference in competing for a BCS bowl
After being defeated by Sonny Lubick and the Rams in back-to-back seasons (1999 and 2000), the Buffaloes took care of business in 2001, defeating the No. 24 Rams handily, 41-14. Fast forward to 2002, the No. 21 Rams are set to face off with the No. 6 Buffaloes. At quarterback for the Rams, Bradlee Van Pelt, who was looking for revenge after being embarrassed the year before. BVP and the Ram offense got off to a fast start, leading 13-0 at halftime. After neither team scored in the third quarter, future olympic skier and former Buffs WR Jeremy Bloom opened the fourth quarter with a punt return for a touchdown, cutting the Ram lead to six, 13-7. A few minutes later, the Buffs took the lead for the first time in the game with a Chris Brown rushing touchdown (14-13). Just when it looked like the Buffs were going to steal a victory from the Rams, BVP put the team on his back and scored one of the most iconic touchdowns in the history of the rivalry.
At first and ten from the Colorado-23, Van Pelt faked a pitch to Cecil Sapp, cut upfield and ran untouched to about the oneyard line. As he was heading into the endzone, Buffs safety Roderick Sneed dove at the quarterback’s legs in a last second effort to bring him down. Van Pelt spun around the diving defender and spiked the football off of Sneed’s helmet after crossing the plane. The play would have certainly drawn an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in 2016, but in a time where the rules were more lenient, the play did not draw a flag and Van Pelt became a CSU legend for the play. Colorado State QB Bradlee Van Pelt stiff arms a CU defender in 2002. Following the game, Van COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO Pelt famously called CU the “sorriest No. 6 team” he had a 60-minute battle between and back. two teams that genuinely hatever seen. For those few seasons, Van Pelt was the type of ed each other. Van Pelt was CSU football and Van Pelt did not give a his greatest moment came in player that not only wanted to defeat his enemies, he want- damn about Colorado’s proud the 2002, during the greatest ed to step on their throats. history and he certainly was Rocky Mountain Showdown. Nobody brought that mental- not concerned with sportsJustin Michael can be ity out of him more than CU manship, but he was the type reached by email at sports@ though. During the Van Pelt- of quarterback that team- collegian.com. era, every game with CU was mates would follow into hell
Showdown back as first game of year In-state rivalry has been played as season opener 15 of last 20 seasons By Eric Wolf On Friday night, the Rocky Mountain Showdown opens up the season for the Colorado State football team, and with it, everything returns to normal. Last season, the 87th meeting between the two teams stood as an outlier when the two teams met in week three. The game has traditionally been played as the first game of the season, and only five times in the last 20 years has it been played otherwise. “Last year it was weird,” tight end Nolan Peralta said. “We’ve always played week one since I have been here except for last year. To move it back to this week, it’s going to kind of be back to normal.” Normal was a common theme from Colorado State players in the lead up to the game this week, especially for the veterans. From the time they arrived at CSU, the only thing they knew was opening up the season under the bright lights of Sports Authority against an instate rival. “We have always started opening with Colorado,” defensive lineman Jakob Buys said.
"We have always been so excited. We were just ready let’s go out and play, and last year it was like oh we don’t start out with Colorado. We were still excited, It was just a different tempo.” Coach Mike Bobo does not share quite the same mindset. Last season, the team opened the year at Hughes stadium against a Savannah State team that had won two games in the three previous seasons. The trick for the coach is getting his guys to prepare for this opener just like they did last season. The focus needs to be 100 percent internal. “We are working on that, and trying to get them to understand the importance of the opponent does not matter. Success is defined in yourself and how you go about your work every single day,” the coach said. “Now is there more excitement in the air, maybe a little bit, but they were excited last year to play the first game. You are always excited for the first game,” Bobo said. He buys into that, but getting 18 to 22-year-old kids to be into it is more difficult, especially this week. In his mind, it’s
one game out of twelve, but this one game just happens to be the Rocky Mountain showdown on ESPN. At the end of the day, the coach is not naive. It’s a huge game for the state, the teams,
Rocky Mountain Showdown Colorado State vs. Colorado Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium Tonight, 6 p.m. TV: ESPN
and the fans. He’s excited that they have a chance to get the CSU brand out there on Friday night. He knows his players are bringing some extra juice. It’s a game they “oughta” be excited to play in. “We are obviously playing a big game, a Pac-12 opponent, an in-state rivalry game, and you hope you can take care of business and start the season off strong,” Bobo said. And with CU returning as the opening opponent, the team
gets the chance to start the season the right way. The way they want to. Nothing can match opening up the year by battling CU. It is the kind of kick off the players want. “It’s a huge game for the state, everyone comes out and it really kind of kicks off football season for CSU football,” Peralta said. “(You) get to play in front of 70,000 people, at the Broncos stadium. It doesn’t get much better than that.” It’s a big stage, most likely the biggest stage the team will play in all season, and it’s week one. All of the build up and work from spring camp all the way through fall camp gets let out in the Rocky Mountain showdown, like it’s intended to be. “It really sets the tempo for the rest of the season for both teams,” offensive lineman Zach Golditch said. “Those years that we won it was a great feeling. Just going into week two having that great feeling, I think it really helps." With a win comes the instate bragging rights, the season boosting status of beating a power-5 conference team and
early season momentum, but the players, and coach Bobo, all know how important the game is for both schools respective fan bases, especially after almost a year since the last showdown. Momentum doesn’t only exist on the field, but also within the fan base. It’s the first chance for the team to step on the field and show their product. There is no better way to do that than in the Rocky Mountain showdown the players said. “It could be big,” safety Jake Schlager said. “When we went ten and three that year (2014) we won the Showdown and we had a really good performance there. Opening up with the Showdown definitely brings another level to the entire state, it brings another level to the University, and it kind of gives everybody an idea of what to expect from here on out." Like every year heading into the showdown, there is a lot of emotion and energy ready to be let out from players, coaches, and fans. This year, there’s just not as long of a wait. Eric Wolf can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
>> STEVENS from page 6 is, we don’t have those kinds of guys,” graduate transfer Faton Bauta said. “Have I seen those kinds of guys? Yeah, for sure, but that’s not going to affect their relationship with me. That’s football, and then there is real life outside of football. So if you want to ruin that, and be in that sort of light with those people, that type of relationship, that’s fine. In our quarterback room? No. We know we’re challenging each other and I think we’re enjoying it at the same time.” When you have a group full of people competing for what is best for the team, rather than competing for what’s best individually, it creates an atmosphere where the team thrives. If it begins to thwart relationships, the team loses. “We didn’t know each other so much before, but showing up a little bit early to meetings you get small talk going and talk about daily life and things other than just football,” Stevens said about his relationship with
the other quarterbacks while going through a competition. “After each play we’ve kind of grown into the ability of coming up and saying ‘what did you see on that, would have thrown it where I threw it’ and our competition has kind of grown into a positive correction based thing. We’re not wanting each other to screw up, we want the offense to look good out there. It’s definitely a healthy relationship, healthy competition and we’ve just grown more together as it’s gone on.” Coach Bobo has not named his starting quarterback heading into the Rocky Mountain Showdown, but redshirt junior Nick Stevens has been through it all at Colorado State and not changed his approach. The Nick Stevens motto: control what you can control. Collegian Sports Editor Chad Deutschman can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com. Colorado State quarterback Nick Stevens scrambles out of the pocket during a game last season against Minnesota. PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
Year 2 brings bigger playbook By Chad Deutschman
When Colorado State opened up their season against Savannah State in 2015, they played a team that won two games in the past two seasons. It wasn’t a big deal that the team was in their first year of the Mike Bobo era. That feeling of security doesn’t last forever. More competitive games were around the corner, and the offense was put to the test. The Rams didn’t go undefeated in 2015. They didn’t have the highest scoring offense in the country. CSU went 7-6 and had the third most prolific offense in the Mountain West, averaging 29.6 points per game. Fast-forward to the start of the 2016 season, and the Rams now have one year of trial and error with Bobo and offensive coordinator Will Friend. The 2015 season can be looked at as more of an installation process. The team wanted to implement the new offense and learn how Bobo and Friend wanted things done. In 2016, the team feels they have the familiarity and understanding of the offense that will lead the Rams to more wins in the coming season. “We are light years ahead of where we were last year,” Bobo said. The team has made improvements in terms of understanding the offense at virtually every position, according to Bobo. “If you talk about the offensive line, if you talk about the tight end position, even though we lost two tight ends, but Danny (Nwosu) and Nolan (Peralta) are two tight ends that were in the system last year,” he said. “We are light years ahead at the quarterback position… We’re light years ahead at the tailback position
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with (Dalyn) Dawkins and Izzy (Mathews).” The one position that Bobo said was a little bit behind was at wide receiver, but they are starting to grasp it on the same level as their peers, according to the coach. Currently listed as starters at wide receiver are sophomore Olabisi Johnson, redshirt junior Sammie Long IV and redshirt sophomore Marcus Wilson in the slot. The three have combined for minimal experience, playing behind the likes of Rashard Higgins and Joe Hansley in 2015, but Bobo isn’t concerned about the new comers knowing the entire offensive scheme, just their own job. “Running back and receiver is where a lot of our new guys are going to play and are one of the positions that you can play early,” he said. “They don't really have to understand what you are trying to do conceptually, they have to line up and know what to run and recognize the coverage.” With last season and fall camp behind them, the players share a similar feeling to their coach. The team is ready to take the next step in their offense: implementing more of the playbook. “Last year, at this point, it was just kind of the basic stuff that they put in every fall camp,” quarterback Nick Stevens said. “We have a lot more that we can bring out just because we have the basic things down. We can move to some more advanced stuff.” Stevens started slow last season, but finished the season throwing for 2,679 yards — the most ever by a sophomore quarterback in CSU history — and threw 21 touchdown passes, good enough for a spot on the All-Mountain West second team.
“Everybody, except for a few guys who we’re going to play as freshman, has had a full year of experience in the offense whether that be game time or practice time,” Stevens said. “Last year at this point nobody had played a game in this offense. I think that’s going to help us out a lot as an offense and we have some really good things to look forward to this year.” The increase in offensive familiarity among players doesn’t stop with Stevens. Redshirt junior offensive lineman Zach Golditch has expressed his comfort level in the offense. Goldithc no longer understands just his own job, but the entire offense’s job. “I think when (the coaches) are saying ‘know what you are doing’ we get it, we understand the little individual photos and we understand the little picture of our individual position and now I know what Fred (Zerblis) is doing, I know what Jake (Bennett) is doing,” he said. “That’s huge cause then it gets everybody on the same page and when everyone is on the same page big plays happen.” Being on the same page as the rest of the offense is key for any successful team. Having one year under their belts, it is now time for this offense to see just how well they understand it. “I think it’s huge now we are a year deep into the system,” Golditch said. “We know what we are doing and that’s huge because now we can play faster, we can focus on the little things. Little things win games.” Chad Deutschman can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
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Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
Those interested in becoming a high school basketball official are invited to attend an informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 in the Roundhouse Room of Fossil Ridge High School, 5400 Ziegler Road. Area 12 directors and rules instructors will be at the meeting to answer questions including what it takes to become an official, expectations, pay, meeting dates and more. Please feel free to attend the meeting or contact Area 12 Director Brian Wong: bcsaw@mesanetworks.net
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Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Across 1 Retro photos 7 Condescends 13 Tympanic membrane 15 Half a notable San Francisco intersection 16 Heavy marble 17 Worried about 18 Brandy letters 19 Some grad students 21 P.O. boxful 22 One of a divided trio? 24 Like some room fresheners 26 Anthem contraction 28 Lucid 30 Tony winner Martin in the 2013 “Pippin” Broadway revival 32 Cargo wts. 33 With 43-Across, acting like an unscrupulous contractor ... and a hint to this puzzle’s circles 35 Prom dress material 37 They may be crunched 38 Bollywood star Aishwarya __ 39 Curaçao cocktails 43 See 33-Across 47 RR schedule listing
48 Land on a lake? 50 Psyche’s beloved 51 Letters on old TV dials 52 Strainer 53 For time eterne 54 “Girls” creator Dunham 57 “There’s __ in ... “ 58 XL squared 60 Old Buick 62 Indian spiced drink 66 Wearing, with “in” 67 Lots of shots 68 Juiced-up Roadsters? 69 Breastbones Down 1 French possessive 2 Take in 3 Hinder 4 Ominous date 5 Patron of Alice’s 6 __ generis 7 Louisville-to-Nashville dir. 8 Fare-well bridge 9 Scottish resort town known for its whisky 10 Defeat at the polls
Inside The Lines Friday, September 2, 2016
11 Gift 12 Barrett of Pink Floyd 14 Doling (out) 15 Declare 20 Furthermore 22 Mil. bravery medal 23 Evian, par exemple 24 Colorful flowers 25 The very beginning, figuratively 27 Pretoria’s land: Abbr. 29 Virginie, to Eugénie 31 A long way away 34 Support beam 36 Penalty for wrongdoing 39 The Bulldogs of the SEC 40 Game player 41 Overruns 42 Fished with a net 43 Study of government 44 Meccano construction set 45 1973 Court decision alias 46 Old map abbr. 49 One of the fire signs 55 Attach, in a way 56 Magical opening 58 Beer ingredient 59 Act like a loon? 60 Map coordinate: Abbr. 61 Legal thing 63 Possesses Yesterday’s solution
Yesterday’s solution
64 Poetic dusk 65 Simile center
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