Van Pelt CSU legend reflects on historic run
Inside the Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
CSU vs. Fresno State
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Fresno State Rams prepare to face 1-8 Bulldogs PAGE 5
Basketball Season Preview PAGE 7
Michael Gallup is on
FIRE PAGE 6
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
Collegian Weekly Staff Picks Chad Deutschman Sports Editor
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
“The eyes were on me, therefore I took it upon myself to be a little more flamboyant because I wanted people, really, to fear us. I wanted people to think ‘Wow, the CSU Rams, holy crap we better show up’. I think it did very well. It really garnished a lot of attention, but it also set a tone for the team.” BRADLEE VAN PELT FORMER CSU QUARTERBACK
Van Pelt’s brash style was just what Colorado State needed in early 2000s By Eric Wolf @Eric_Wolf5
In the 1990s, coach Sonny Lubick built the Colorado State Rams into a perennial conference contender based on his values. The Rams were often the underdog, but they were not going to play like it. It was a blue collar type of football — the one Lubick built his foundation on — that saw spirited competitors and a spirited program make a living winning games they were not supposed to win and putting themselves in positions they weren’t supposed to be. The early 2000’s marked an extension of that 90s era that Lubick built in Fort Collins. “I think what really settled in is the early 2000s was a continuation of the 90s in my eyes,” Former Ram quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt said. “It is still a prime time of the Sonny Lubick era and I think we still had that general attitude where we were the underdog team and we were gritty. We had a very ragtag group of guys from all different walks of life, but we gelled together and we really were led by Sonny.” Van Pelt, who quarterbacked the Rams as a starter from 20012003, earning Mountain West Conference offensive player of the year awards in ‘02 and ‘03, epitomized Ram football in the 2000s. At 6-feet-2 inches and 220 pounds, Van Pelt was a big, physical quarterback who thrived running the football, and running it behind his pads. Until quarterback Garrett Grayson’s record setting career from 2011 to 2014, Van Pelt stood as the all-time total offensive leader in CSU history, and he’s ranked fifth in team history in rushing touchdowns. By the time Van Pelt got to CSU as a Michigan State transfer in 2000, Lubick had the Rams rolling for six seasons, and under Van Pelt’s guidance in 2002, the Rams finished 10-4 and claimed their third Mountain West title in four seasons. Though the Rams still didn’t have the nice facilities or the flash that went with a winning program, and they often played second fiddle to the University of Colorado in many minds, in the 2000s, they kept winning in spite
of it all. The underdog status was something Lubick worked to sell to his players and it helped gel them as a team. “What really sticks out when we are talking about my era, I really appreciated the style of football that coach Lubick and his staff brought,” Van pelt said. “I mean sometimes it was unorthodox, but he really knew how to take a bunch of different characters in the room and bring them together and I think that’s something that really stuck with me.” For Van Pelt, that made all the difference in the world. “Coach Lubick really made it
One for the record books 2-time Mountain West Player of the Year Second in career yards at Colorado State Fifth in career passing TDs Three-year starter (2001-03)
be known that the coaches were pulling for the players and the players pulled for one another, and when everyone pulled for each other, you really have a lot of buy in,” Van Pelt said. With that buy in and style of football came the wins, and with the wins came the legend of quarterbacks like Anthoney Hill (199194), Moses Moreno (1994-97) and Matt Newton (1998-2000), all three of whom rank in the top-six in touchdown passes in CSU history. As a CSU quarterback, Van Pelt understood the kind of play that came before him under Lubick, and with that came a personal standard. “I also believed that it’s my responsibility to continue a tradition that was started long before me,” Van Pelt said. “(The) Sonny Lubick era in my book, he brought amazing talent and amazing wins to CSU. People before me, the Matt Newton’s of the world, the Moses Moreno’s, Anthoney Hill. I felt it was a duty and a responsibility of mine to continue the culture of winning.” Along with continuing a win-
ning tradition, Van Pelt was also fully embroiled in the underdog mindset. CSU was a team that often found itself in that role, but that’s not how they were going to approach a given game. Of that mindset, Van Pelt worked as its most visible ambassador in the early 2000s. “I believe my role at the end, and of course through my sophomore, junior and senior season, was to really set a tone for the way CSU wanted to be seen,” Van Pelt said. Van Pelt said that the players were nervous, hell, anyone is nervous when they step on the field with a team ranked higher than them, or one that comes with some more prestige. “But, you kind of have to have that attitude where you look them straight in the eye and you’re not scared of them. As a matter of fact, you are going to try and intimidate them,” Van Pelt said. For Van Pelt, that started before the game, when he went out for an early pregame jog to let the opponent know he was there. He’d cover all parts of the field, including running right by the opponent’s sideline. He was one of the most visible players on the field, and he took that and ran with it. “The eyes were on me, therefore I took it upon myself to be a little more flamboyant because I wanted people, really, to fear us,” Van Pelt said. “I wanted people to think ‘wow, the CSU Rams, holy crap we better show up’. I think it did very well. It really garnished a lot of attention, but it also set a tone for the team.” “I kind of let people know that if you are playing the CSU Rams you are going to be in for a four-quarter dogfight,” he continued. “I wanted everyone to kind of know that, hey, I’m setting the tone, I’m the quarterback setting the tone.” The most publicized episode of that “tone-setting” was the 2002 Rocky Mountain Showdown — the famous helmet-spike game. Every CSU Rams fan knows what took place when Van Pelt spiked the football off of CU cornerback Rod Sneed while backpedaling into the end zone for the final points in a game the Rams would go on to win 19-14 over then No.7 ranked CU. But Van Pelt was about intim-
Former Colorado State quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt was a driving force for the Rams’ success in the early 2000s. PHOTO COURTESY OF COLORADO STATE ATHLETICS
idation, not celebration. Every other time he scored a touchdown he flipped the ball to the ref and ran to his teammates. Van Pelt said after having enough time to think about it, he didn’t know what got into him. “Maybe it was just a lot of factors coming in,” Van Pelt said. “It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t me showboating, it was just I think a continuation of the underdog mentality that we are going to stick it to anyone, even CU.” It was an isolated incident, but the play as a whole symbolized the mentality the Rams kept during Van Pelt’s and Lubick’s tenure. They weren’t dirty, they weren’t flashy, but they had a chip on their shoulders. They were going to let people know, especially the University of Colorado, that they were not afraid. And as far as what Van Pelt thinks about that play after all these years. “I don’t mind that people remember that play because I think that play embodies
a lot of the ambitions of CSU, that they want to rise above,” Van Pelt said. “I don’t think it’s bad that people remember me by it, but I don’t think that play should be my legacy.” If that’s not the legacy he really wants, what does he want it to be? “I think the legacy that I wish to have, and it’s of course not up to me, but a legacy of a commitment to my teammates, a commitment to the fans, a commitment to the University to play the best football I could,” Van Pelt said. “To bring pride to the University and also to bring pride to Fort Collins. Really, if I could be remembered by that community, to others, to fans, my teammates, and coaches and my community, it would really mean a lot to me.” There are not too many questions about that. Eric Wolf can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
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Opponent Spotlight: Fresno State
Rams, Bulldogs face off in rematch of epic 2015 battle By Eric Wolf @Eric_Wolf5
Fresno State Bulldogs: 1-8 (0-5 MW) The Colorado State Rams come off of their bye week against a Fresno State team in the midst of a seven game losing streak that’s pitted them last in the Mountain West. The Bulldogs are also just a little under two weeks removed from the firing of head coach Tim DeRuyter. Offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau took over as the interim head coach after DeRuyter’s removal. Offense In a conference based on running the football, the Bulldogs buck the trend. The offense in Fresno runs through redshirt freshman quarterback Chason Virgil and his trio of talented wide receivers in sophomores Jamire Jordan and KeeSean Johnson,
and senior Aaron Peck. The Bulldogs rank second in the conference in passing with 238.3 yards per game, but sit dead last in the conference in total offense and scoring offense. But the passing attack still poses a legitimate threat to a CSU defense ranked eighth in the conference against the pass. “The ability to push the ball down the field,” Bobo said about what aspect of the Fresno offense scares him the most. “Number seven (Peck) and then number three (Johnson) has come alive. They have a lot of those single-digit receivers out there that can make plays. It’s scary every time they drop back to pass.” Peck, Jordan and Johnson all rank in the top-10 in the conference in receiving yards and receptions per game. Johnson has become the main target in the group, with 60 catches for 659-yards and six touchdowns. Peck has missed the last two games because of injury, but he should be ready to go on Saturday.
Not surprisingly, Virgil sits second in the conference to Boise State’s Brett Rypien in passing
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Get photos, videos, stories and more from Colorado State’s game against Fresno State. collegian.com yards with 2,013. For the year, Virgil’s completed 165 of 321 passes to go with 13 touchdowns and ten interceptions. “The quarterback has been streaky at times but when he has been on they have been able to move the ball against everybody,” Bobo said of Virgil. Defense The CSU coaching staff has a a lot of familiarity with Fresno State defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward, as Ward led the
defense at South Carolina from 2012-2016 while Bobo and offensive coordinator Will Friend were at Georgia. “(I have known) Ward, the defensive coordinator, for a long time,” Friend said. “I know what he’s about. We went against him for all those years when he was at South Carolina. He is going to have those guys ready to play.” Bobo said that while the coaching staff will look back on what Ward’s defenses have done in the past, the study will be focused on this season, and it’s a season in which Fresno has struggled mightily on defense. It’s been a long year for Ward and his Bulldog defense which ranks 126th out 128 teams in the FBS in rushing defense and 89th in the country in total defense. The Bulldogs are giving up an abysmal 272.8 yards per game on the ground, but rank fourth in the nation in passing defense, giving up just 159.3 yards per game. That number is surely affected by opposing teams’ ability
to run the ball on Fresno State. When team’s do throw against the Bulldogs, Fresno ranks dead last in the conference in passing efficiency, as opponents complete just over 56% of their passes against the secondary, while the Bulldogs have also given up a conference worst 18 touchdowns through the air. The secondary is an experienced group with three senior starters including Safety Stratton Brown who sits second on the team in total tackles with 81, while cornerback TyQuwan Glass ranks near the top of the conference in pass break-ups with seven. The other bright spot on the defense comes with senior linebacker Jeff Camili who has moved into second in the Mountain West in tackles per game with 10.1. But for the most part, it’s a defense in which opposing offense’s have had little trouble putting up points and yards. Eric Wolf can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
Hollywood:
Act II? Michael Gallup’s playmaking ability reminding fans of Rashard Higgins
Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup runs after the catch against Wyoming earlier this season. Gallup has become the Rams’ go-to receiver this season after spending the past two years at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas. PHOTO COURTESY OF CSU ATHLETICS
By Chad Deutschman @ChadDeutschman
Don’t look now, but Colorado State might have another Hollywood-esque receiver on their hands. Junior Michael Gallup may not possess the same flair in front of the camera as former Ram Rashard Higgins did, but the way Gallup impacts the game is beginning to look awfully familiar. Having gone through three quarterbacks in Nick Stevens, Faton Bauta, and Collin Hill, Gallup’s 36 receptions for 570 yards and five touchdowns eight games into the season will not jump off the page like a Biletnikoff Award finalist’s would. For example, eight games into the 2014 season, Higgins had 59 receptions for 1,137 yards and 12 touchdowns. That is not much of a comparison. But when compared to Higgins’ 2015 season, when Stevens was at the helm as opposed to Garrett Grayson, Higgins had 46 receptions for 618 yards and five touchdowns. Granted Higgins missed the game against Minnesota in 2015, meaning those totals are only representative of seven games. However, Higgins’ totals through eight games played are only boosted by an extra four catches for 49 yards, leaving Gal-
lup’s first season with CSU reminiscent of Higgins’ last, and his coaches have taken notice. “(Gallup) has made plays with the ball in his hands after he makes the catch,” said CSU offensive coordinator Will Friend. “I think he’s a guy that can make plays in a hurry for you offensively and that’s been a big plus. Which is similar to what we had with Rashard in the past and he’s kind of doing those things for us right now. We have to keep him going and he’s got to keep doing what he’s been doing to improve and get better down the stretch.” In the past three games, Gallup has hauled in 19 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns, all of which are over 30 yards. It took awhile for Gallup to heat up, having just four catches for 38 yards in the first two games, but since the matchup with Northern Colorado, Gallup has had at least four catches for 50 yards in every game and scored in five of the last six. Some of Gallup’s slow start can be attributed to a lingering ankle injury, and also the fact there has been three different quarterbacks throwing him the ball. “It was a little bit tricky,” Gallup said about having to transition from quarterback to quarterback. “All of the quarterbacks have a different type of arm strength, so you had to know if he
was going to throw it all the way up or just throw a back-shoulder ball to you. But I think we’ve come a long way and Nick’s doing a great job for us.” Since Stevens recaptured the starting job when Collin Hill went down with a torn ACL in week six, Gallup has continued to keep opposing secondary’s on their toes. “He’s able to make plays with the ball in the air and also once he gets the ball,” Stevens said. “You’ll see him spinning and jumping over guys and stuff like that. That explosiveness, but also dependability; you can rely on him to go catch a ball on third down, just past the sticks. You can just drop it down to him and can depend on him to get the first down.” It’s not just the offensive side of the ball that has noticed Gallup’s recent play. Going up against him every day in practice are the likes of safety Jake Schlager and cornerback Tyree Simmons. Both have become well aware of the astonishing athletic ability Gallup possesses. “He’s got the body of a division one college wide receiver,” Schlager said. “He’s a guy, great, talented player, great person, but he’s definitely progressed. You can tell from camp to now. He’s definitely picked up on the offense and works every single day to get better at his part (by
running) better, crisper routes. But he’s an athlete and athletes go out and make plays.” “He’s explosive,” Simmons added. “When we need a play, we say ‘hey mike, we need you,’ and he be like, ‘I got you,’ and then he goes on the field and he’s going get that first down. Or he’s going to catch that first down and he’s going to make it a touchdown. He’s going to start it off and get that momentum going. And then he comes off the field and he’s like, ‘I got you baby,’ and we’re all like ‘ight.’” At 6-feet 1-inches and 195 pounds, Gallup may not posses the kind of size on the field that makes you turn your head, but he more than makes up for it with his 4.4-second 40-yard dash time. Gallup has never been questioned as an athlete, and maybe shined brightest in high school. At Monroe High School in Monroe, Georgia, Gallup didn’t always play receiver. In fact, he spent most of time throwing to receivers as the quarterback or hitting them as a safety. And football wasn’t the only sport he dabbled in. Gallup earned 16 total varsity letters, four each in football, baseball, basketball and track and field. “In high school I really didn’t even play that much wide receiver,” Gallup said. “It was a lot of
quarterback, played a lot of safety, and then playing those other sports, I mean, that just kept me in shape for them and then helping me do just a bunch of different things on the field.” Coming out of high school Gallup held offers from five Southeastern Conference schools, two from the Big 12 and one from the Big Ten, according to Rivals.com. After spending two years at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, Gallup has found home at Colorado State, and a large part of why is because of what Mike Bobo’s offense did for current Cincinnati Bengal’s all-pro receiver A.J. Green. “I’m pretty positive I made the right choice coming to CSU,” Gallup said. “Bobo coached at Georgia and put A.J. Green in the same spot I’m in. I looked at that and said, ‘He got the ball a lot, I like to get the ball a lot,’ so it was a good move for me.” “I like to (model my game after Green),” Gallup continued. “I love watching AJ Green, always wanted to play just like him.” A.J. Green may not be the greatest comparison at the moment, but Michael Gallup posses ses all the tools necessary to have his name mentioned in the same sentence as Rashard Higgins. Chad Deutschman can be reached byemailatsports@collegian.com.
Inside the Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
Basketball Season Preview
New kids on the
BLOCK PAGE 10
PHOTO BY LUKE WALKER COLLEGIAN
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
Runnin’ Rams
CSU hoping to increase tempo with more versatile lineup
Colorado State forward Emmanuel Omogbo will be a big part of Colorado State’s uptempo offense this season. Along with Gian Clavell, Omogbo is the only returning double-digit scorer for the Rams. PHOTO BY LUKE WALKER COLLEGIAN
By Justin Michael @JustinTMichael
Coming to Moby Arena is no easy task for opponents. CSU basketball has one of the best win percentages at home in the nation over the last five years, which is exactly how the team wants to keep things this year. At over 5,000 feet elevation, Moby Arena has one of the highest elevations in the country and the Rams want to use the thin air to their advantage and run their opponents right off the court. “Not everybody in the country is doing the type of things we are doing in practice,” Rams’ forward Emmanuel Omogbo said. “When we go out to like a San Diego State, everybody is flying around, but when guys have to come here, they struggle a lot.” One of the major keys of any successful Larry Eustachy team has always been hustle and effort. Eustachy wants his players to be able to outrun anyone in the nation and he conditions his teams accordingly. Not only are his teams in better shape, but they are also conditioned to the lack of oxygen, giving them an advantage at home and on the road. The other key is rebounding, which helps defensively by limit-
ing opponent’s chances to score and offensively by creating scoring opportunities through the transition game. A successful transition game
is crucial because it keeps your opponent on their heels and does not allow them to get in rhythm by staying in their half court offense or defense.
Larry Eustachy enters his fifth season as CSU’s head coach. LUKE WALKER COLLEGIAN
Last season, the Rams struggled defensively and their inability to get stops resulted in a diminished transition game. Now the team is looking to get back to basics and re-establish that hard nosed Eustachy mindset. “Everybody is buying into the defensive side of the game, so I feel that it going to create more opportunities to score on the fast break,” Omogbo said. “We are going to get more steals that lead to dunks and stuff like that. Last year we probably were dead last in fast break points. The offensive rebounds will be there for easy points, but last year when we were not getting them or not hitting threes, we did not have anything to fall back on.” Players like Omogbo play a big role in the transition game. The big men are the guys bringing down the boards and beginning the transition on offense. Even more crucial to the transition game, is having a point guard that can distribute the ball in the open court and create opportunities to put points on the board. With John Gillon transferring to Syracuse in the offseason, Prentiss Nixon will be assuming the role of starting point guard and will be in control of a lot of
these transition opportunities. Last year, Nixon stood out on the court mostly because of the unorthodox shorts he donned, but this season brings a new and bigger test for the young point guard. It is a test he looks forward to. “Even last year, if I would have had the opportunity, I would have been prepared,” Nixon said. “The way I go into games and approach practice everyday, the way I take care of my body, I think I always have been prepared to take on that role. It’s just a mental thing.” In 31 games played last season, Nixon averaged 4.8 points and 1.2 assists in 15.7 minutes pergame. With Gillon no longer in the mix, Nixon’s playing time will surely increase, as Gillon averaged 31.7 minutes per-game last season, averaging 13.2 points and 3.8 assists. Where Gillon struggled was with turnovers, producing 77 on the season. If Nixon can take care of the ball and limit turnovers, the Rams transition game will certainly improve and the team should see more success because of it. Justin Michael can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
Inside the Lines
Gian Clavell 3 | Shooting Guard | Senior | Caguas, P.R. PHOTO BY KEEGAN POPE COLLEGIAN
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
Colorado State head coach Larry Eustachy walks his players through a drill during practice Thursday. PHOTO BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN
Newcomers expected to play pivotal role By Eddie Herz @Eddie_Herz
Colorado State men’s basketball has entered a new era. After an 18 win campaign ended in the semifinals of the Mountain West Tournament a season ago, unfamiliar faces fill the roster for the Rams. One familiar face belongs to guard Gian Clavell, who has been granted a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA. After averaging 20.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game through 10 contests, Clavell’s 2015-2016 campaign was cut short by a season-ending hand injury. Clavell should do the heavy lifting, but he obviously needs some help around him. Antwan Scott, John Gillon, Joe De Ciman, and Tiel Daniels have all departed, so the Rams will be without their four leading scorers from last season, not counting Clavell. Returning role players from last year’s team battling for playing time include: Prentiss Nixon, J.D. Paige, Anthony Bonner and
Nico Carvacho. However, in addition to that, head coach Larry Eustachy has added a trio of junior-college transfers who have a chance to immediately impact the team. Devocio Butler, Che Bob and Braden Koelliker all did significant damage at their respective junior colleges last season. Che Bob averaged 15.5 points per game last year at South Plains College while also averaging in 7.9 rebounds. For Eustachy, adding a forward who dominated at South Plains College is very familiar. Before last season, the Rams signed Emmanuel Omogbo from the same school. While rebounding at the Division-I level may be tougher than in junior college, if Bob can put up similar numbers at CSU he will be a major asset to the Rams in the paint. Omogbo doesn’t see why the transition would cause Bob any trouble. “Our coach at South Plains would always preach rebounding, so that’s in our blood already,” Omogbo said. “Even though he’s only (6-feet 6-inch-
es), he’s athletic and pretty strong too.” Bob exhibited division-I talent at the junior-college level. Some players need to attend junior college in order to step their game up, but it was a different story for Bob. “I definitely could have went Division-I, but I found out I wasn’t eligible my junior year in high school,” Bob said. “After that I thought it was the end of the world, honestly. My coaches just told me it’s not, and you can go the JUCO route and see what happens. Luckily it worked out.” The South Plains product is confident that he will be able to translate his junior-college success to Mountain West basketball. Over the offseason, he’s focused on improving his defense. “The transition for me is going to be pretty easy,” Bob said. “I think the biggest thing to focus on is defensive positioning, being in the right spots.” Bob is one of two versatile forwards the Rams have brought in from junior college. The other is Braden Koelliker.
Though Koelliker was an All-State honorable mention in high school, he had no division-I offers. Instead of immediately taking the junior-college route, he served a two-year mission trip through his church in Tennessee. “It was a great experience for me,” Koelliker said. “Those two years out of high school from 18 years old to 20 years old is such a huge period of time in a man’s life to grow up and figure out who they are. For me it was a big, big maturity process. Just growing up and being on my own was huge.” Braden wasn’t able to play basketball much in Tennessee, but he never lost interest in the game. As soon as the trip was completed, he went to play junior-college ball at Snow College in Utah. He averaged 13.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for Snow in the 2015-2016 season. “I think I was able to stretch out the defense and shoot,” Koelliker said. “But I was also able to put it on the floor too, so I created a kind of a hard matchup.” Braden also played football
and lacrosse throughout high school. He believes that enhanced his skills on the court. “I think just being an allaround player and being able to adjust no matter what the sport throws at you is huge,” Koelliker said. “Those other sports translate into each other. When you’re good at one thing you’re going to be good at another thing in a different sport.” It can be seen in Koelliker’s diverse play that he has an extremely high athletic IQ. Nonetheless, he will also have a transition to division-I basketball. “Coming from JUCO to D-1, the biggest thing is just learning to catch up with the speed and physicality, so I think that will probably be my biggest challenge,” he said. “As well as learning the game up here.” To round out the Rams junior-college signees, 6-foot 5-inch guard Devocio Butler has been added to the mix. Similar to Bob, it wasn’t a matter of talent that stopped Butler out of high school. see NEWCOMERS on page 16 >>
Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
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Colorado State players Ellen Nystrom and Elin Gustavsson celebrate after the Rams won the Mountain West tournament championship last season. Now seniors, the duo will look to lead CSU to a fourth league regular season title in a row. PHOTO BY STEVE CLARKSON/NCAA PHOTOS
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Swedish duo looking for four-peat By Eddie Herz @Eddie_Herz
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Before the 2013-2014 season, head coach Ryun Williams and assistant coach Tim Moser struck gold in Sweden. This was not the first time the members of the CSU women’s basketball coaching staff had recruited in Sweden. However, they had never taken back players with the skillset of the individual’s they grabbed in 2013. The dynamic duo of Ellen Nystrom and Elin Gustavsson has contributed to the Rams’ success ever since their arrival in Fort Collins. “Coach Moser has recruited Sweden before on our staff,” Williams said. “We just went there and recruited them like we would go to Chicago or go to Broomfield and recruit a kid, no different. We went and found them and we knew we had a pretty talented duo there. They loved Colorado State, the rest is history.” Since adjusting to life in a foreign country can be challenging, Nystrom and Gustavsson have stuck together since day one in the states. “We were like known as the Swedes pretty much,” Nystrom said. “We took the same classes. We were never apart.” The two actually somewhat knew eachother before attending Colorado State. However, it wasn’t until they began playing on the Rams that the two became inseparable. “We played on the national team together but we lived so far off, so it’s not like we were hanging out,” Nystrom said. “We only saw
each other during summers.” Nystrom and Gustavsson’s tight-knit relationship off of the court has translated into legitimate on-court chemistry. They have vigorously fed off of each other’s success during their three seasons playing for the Rams. “You see it a lot during the course of a basketball game,” Williams said. “They cut off of eachother really well, they look for eachother. They’re both really unselfish players, you can definitely see the chemistry.” Both women have been key contributors to the Rams’ success while playing for CSU. Nystrom eclipsed Becky Hammon’s single season assist record of 174 last season with 186. While she is on pace to break Hammon’s career assist record, she has scored 9.7 points per game and collected 6.3 rebounds per game for the Rams. “I think my success has had to do with confidence and gaining experience,” Nystrom said. Nystrom was picked to win her second consecutive Mountain West player of the year award earlier this month. CSU was also picked to finish atop the conference. Like Nystrom, Gustavsson has also dominated for CSU. If she scores over 204 points this season, which she has in each of her three seasons, she will crack the top-10 All-Time scoring list for CSU. She has averaged 10 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a Ram. “It has to do with coach pushing me to
do more and I’ve kept feeling more comfortable playing every season,” Gustavsson said. Though there is nothing in the way of the Swedish combo to continue their success this season, the team enters the 20162017 season losing multiple contributors from last year’s 31 win squad. The Rams have lost two All-Mountain West players in Jamie Patrick and Keyora Wharry. They were CSU’s leading scorers last season at 13.2 and 10.7 points per game, respectively. Nystrom and Gustavsson will now have the team in their hands. “The biggest thing for them is just shouldering more responsibility,” Williams said. “They’ve always had a really nice solid group around them. They’ll have a good group around them this year but we need to be on their shoulders this time.” If the Rams want to return to the NCAA tournament, Nystrom and Gustavsson will have to guide them there. With experience and three exceptional seasons under their belts, doing so shouldn’t be an issue. “We’ve been here now for four years so we should have more responsibility,” Gustavsson said. “We know what to expect and we know what we have to do. From that perspective that’s why we feel like we are the leaders. We are also the oldest too.” Eddie Herz can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
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Rams ready to get season rolling By Justin Michael @JustinTMichael
Under head coach Ryun Williams, the Colorado State women’s basketball program has made a habit out of winning the Mountain West, taking home the last three regular season conference championships, something no other program has ever achieved. Fresh off of being tabbed preseason favorites to win the Mountain West once again, the CSU women’s hoops action kicks off with a 7:00 P.M. exhibition game against CSU-Pueblo at Moby Arena Friday night. “It’s always nice to play somebody different,” Williams stated in a general release. “We’ve had 20 practices where we’ve gone against each other. We need to play somebody where we don’t know what’s coming. It’s very important to see who can handle the stage. We’ve got a lot of players that played
good minutes for us last year, but their role is totally different. How they adapt and adjust to more responsibility is going to be the key to a successful season.” Coming off of a record setting 2015-16 season, in which the Rams went 18-0 in conference play and captured both the regular season and Mountain West Tournament championships, the expectations for Williams’ Rams could not be higher. Colorado State returns nine letterwinners from last season and multiple key contributors including 2015-16 MW Player of the Year Ellen Nystrom and her Swedish counterpart Elin Gustavsson (the 2016 MW Tournament Most Outstanding Player). Williams has turned this program into a consistent winner and has made Moby Arena one of the most feared destinations in all of women’s college basketball. Under
Williams, CSU is 378-203 (.651) all-time at Moby Arena, including a 52-11 record (.825) at home. Over the last five years, the team has slowly but surely built off of the previous season which has resulted in unprecedented success. The Williams-era features the Rams only appearance in the top-25 and NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002, which they accomplished in 2015-16. The Rams will look to continue that success into the 2016-17 season. The Colorado State women’s basketball team opens the regular season on Friday, Nov. 11 against the Omaha Mavericks. The matchup is set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. from Moby Arena and also marks the beginning of Preseason WNIT play for the Rams. Justin Michael can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
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Colorado State head coaching Ryun Williams instructs his team at practice Thursday afternoon. PHOTO BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
After graduating five seniors, CSU will rely heavily on uber-athletic forward Emmanuel Omogbo to anchor their offense and defense. PHOTO BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN
Omogbo ready to take on bigger role for inexperienced CSU squad By Justin Michael @JustinTMichael
With last season in the rear view mirror and all sites set on the 2016-17 season, the Colorado State men’s basketball team eagerly awaits the season when they open up with an exhibition matchup against Regis at Moby Arena Nov. 8. The new season brings a new look for CSU, as the team returns just two starters from the 201516 season (Gian Clavell and Emmanuel Omogbo). Both of which will be expected to lead the team in the upcoming season. Replacing players like Antwan Scott, Joe DeCiman, John Gillon, Fred Richardson and Tiel Daniels will be tough, considering most of them were multiyear contributors, but the coaching staff has brought in multiple players that are immediately eligible to play and the consensus around the locker room is that
this team is going to surprise some people. The Rams added a trio of junior college players, Braden Koelliker, Che Bob and Devocio Butler, and all three are expected to play large roles this season. Along with the new JUCO guys, sophomore guards Prentiss Nixon and J.D. Paige are expected to see increased roles after contributing as freshman. Both players averaged around 16 minutes per-game last year, but those totals will probably double going forward and the duo will need to elevate their game this season. The return of Clavell will be a huge boost to the backcourt, providing a threat on both ends of the court and always having the potential to put up massive numbers. Rams forward Emmanuel Omogbo explained how losing Clavell last season resulted in the team losing their roles. Clavell opens up the entire offense and
his presence on the court will be big for a team that is still learning how to play together. Omogbo is a guy that the Rams will count on both offensively and defensively. The big man averaged just shy of a double-double last season, scoring 10.9 points and bringing down 8 rebounds per-game and is one of the most important contributors on the team. Omogbo believes this team is stronger mentally and better prepared to compete in some of those tough games that resulted in losses last season. He felt that the Rams gave away multiple games last season, especially against Kansas State and the two matchups with San Diego State. The 6-foot 8-inch 210 pound forward believes the team will be prepared in those tight games and is fine-tuning his own game to ensure he can stay on the court during those crucial moments. “My effort is going to be there
every night,” Omogbo said. “I am going to get offensive rebounds. That is what my game is built on, but I am going to be better defensively. I was terrible defensively last year.” Omogbo explained how teams would go small with their lineups and it would limit how many minutes he could play because he was not able to match up defensively. This season, Omogbo is determined to be stay on the court and shut down those types of players that bothered him in the past. The Mountain West projections tabbed the Rams to finish sixth in the conference for a second consecutive season. Omogbo is not buying it. “You guys might think our team is pretty young, but I feel like we had a lot of mature guys come in,” Omogbo said. “This will be a surprising year for you guys. A lot of people said said that we are going to struggle because
a lot of guys are gone and some of the stuff that happened in the offseason, but I think this going to be a special year.” Omogbo emphasized that although CSU only returns two starters, the team is filled with experienced basketball players. “We have versatility, which we did not have much of last year,” he said. “Che (Bob) can play three positions. Braden (Koelliker) can play three positions. Voc (Devocio Butler) and Gian (Clavell) can both play three positions. There are a lot of guys that can do different things.” The players that returned from last year are not content with how the season went in 2015 and are determined to produce a better result. The new guys have embodied the same mentality, Omogbo has made sure of it. Justin Michael can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
>> NEWCOMERS from page 10 “I had D-1 capability, but it was my grades that stopped me,” Butler said. “I messed up. JUCO was my second chance, and I’m glad that I got a second chance because a lot of people don’t even get a second chance.” Butler scored 10.8 points and racked up 3.9 rebounds per game his first year playing for Hill College in Texas. He also lit it up from beyond the arc, shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range. Due to the success many of Butler’s teammates also had at Hill, he gained a lot of exposure from scouts. “I had Tyrell Green that’s at UNLV now and Marcus Johnson that’s at Little Rock on my team,” Butler said. “They brought schools in, so schools saw me. I had schools talking to me.” Butler ultimately chose CSU because of how different Fort Collins was to his hometown of Atlanta. “I had other options, but it’s the fact that I came on my visit and there was just nothing like it,” Butler said. “I’m from Atlanta, and it’s so different from here. I just got tired
of being in my comfort zone, so I got out of my comfort zone and decided to come here. And I love it.” Butler also had some pretty close connections with the Colorado State coaching staff. “My coach at Hill played for Eustachy, so I knew about Eustachy already,” Butler said. “I knew what I was getting into. I was ready for it. I knew Eustachy was an aggressive coach, and I liked that.” Player wise, the Rams have a much different team than last year. Regardless, Butler believes his team has major chemistry that can carry it throughout the season. “Chemistry starts off the floor not on the court,” Butler said. “Everyone hangs out outside, and that’s key. That’s the start of it, and then it comes to the court. The fact that we’re so close off the court is great. I love it, everybody loves each other. You can’t go wrong when everybody loves each other.” Eddie Herz can be reached by email at sports@collegian. com.
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
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csu volleyball LISTEN TO THE ACTION
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
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When the Rams are on offense... 15 11 56
2 81
89
42
32
7
91 97 99 76 55 77 54 61 32
25 4
7 1 Fresno State
Colorado State 7 - Nick Stevens, QB, 6-3, 200, Junior
60 - Nick Callendar, LT, 6-6, 315, Senior
91 - Nathan Madsen, DE, 6-4, 290, Junior
56 - Tobenna Okeke, OLB, 6-2, 243, Junior
1 - Dalyn Dawkins, RB, 5-9, 175, Junior
55 - Paul Thurston, LG, 6-5, 300, Senior
97 - Malik Forrester, DT, 6-1, 320, Junior
2 - Jamal Ellis, CB, 5-10, 176, Senior
81 - Olabisi Johnson, WR, 6-0, 190, Sophomore
77 - Jake Bennett, C, 6-3, 290, Junior
99 - Nick Kristofors, DE, 6-3, 261, Senior
15 - Stratton Brown, FS, 6-1, 193, Senior
4 - Michael Gallup, WR, 6-1, 195, Junior
54 - Fred Zerblis, RG, 6-3, 305, Senior
7 - James Bailey, OLB, 6-1, 220, Sophomore 11 - Deshawn Potts, SS, 5-11, 191, Sophomore
89 - Robert Ruiz, WR, 5-10, 170, Senior
61 - Zack Golditch, RT, 6-6, 295, Junior
32 - Robert Stanley, ILB, 6-3, 241, Junior
25 - Tyquwan Glass, CB, 5-11, 193, Senior
42 - Jeff Camili, ILB, 6-3, 272, Senior
32 - Nolan Peralta, TE, 6-3, 245, Senior
When the Rams are on defense... 18 8 33 55 43 15 5 91 92 94 6 58 62 77 73 78 89 1 5 28 Colorado State
10 3
Fresno State
94 - Darnell Thompson, LDE, 6-4, 270, Junior
33 - Kevin Davis, WLB, 6-2, 240, Senior
5 - Chason Virgil, QB, 6-1, 190, Freshman
58 - Christian Cronk, 6-4, 303, Sophomore
92 - Josh Lovingood, NT, 6-4, 290, Junior
10 - Kevin Nutt, LCB, 5-10, 190, Junior
28 - Dontel James, RB, 6-0, 216, Junior
74 - Logan Hughes, LG, 6-3, 276, Sophomore
91 - Jakob Buys, DT, 6-4, 265, Junior
8 - Jake Schlager, SS, 5-11, 195, Junior
6 - Delvon Hardaway, WR, 6-1, 190, Junior
77 - Aaron Mitchell, C, 6-2, 295, Junior
43 - Evan Colorito, RDE, 6-4. 245, Junior
18 - Braylin Scott, FS, 6-3, 185, Sophomore
1 - Jamire Jordan, WR, 5-10, 173, Sophomore
73 - Micah St. Andrew, RG, 6-3, 341 Sophomore
15 - Kiel Robinson, SLB, 6-2, 225, Junior
5 - Tyree Simmons, RCB, 5-11, 190, Senior
3 - KeeSean Johnson, WR, 6-1, 197, Sophomore 78 - David Patterson, RT, 6-5, 295, Junior
55 - Josh Watson, MLB, 6-2, 235, Sophomore
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83 - Kyle Riddering, TE, 6-5, 223, Sophomore
G O OD LUC K R A M S ! Proud supporter of the CSU Rams for 35 years!
PHOTO BY LUKE WALKER COLLEGIAN
Inside the Lines
Robert Ruiz 89 | Wide Receiver | Senior | El Cajon, CA
Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
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Heart at the center of Nolan Peralta’s play By Eric Wolf @Eric_Wolf5
Football is a game for the pass catchers and the ball carriers. The quarterbacks and the defensive stalwarts with their names in the paper and plastered in trophy cases. But at it’s heart, football is a game of violence. A game of physicality in its purest form. Colorado State senior tight end and fullback Nolan Peralta might not come with some of the recognition that it takes to fill up a trophy case, but as far as the hard hitting is concerned, he’s happy to oblige. “I pride myself on being the hardest hitter, the most badass dude on the field,” Peralta said. “Whether or not that’s the truth, I believe it, and I go out and practice and play that way. It’s the standard that I set for myself.” “He’s going to try to kill whoever he’s going against; try to run (them) over, get the pancake, whatever (you want to call it),” linebacker Kevin Davis said. “He is definitely one of the most physical guys on the field whenever he is out there.”
The Nolan Peralta File Redshirt Senior Hometown: Murrieta, Calif. Height: 6’3 Height: 240 Major: Biological Science
“Hardest worker” is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the football circle. And often times because of that, it loses a certain weight. But with Peralta, that term, and the physicality that comes with it truly means something. It’s an approach that leaves no choice but to follow suit. “He brings an element of toughness to this football team of I’m an unselfish player and I’m going to do whatever it takes to help this football team win,” coach Mike Bobo said. “Whether it’s practice or a game, I’m going 100 percent and that’s not an exaggeration. Every play he goes 100 percent.” Peralta embodies that unselfish player in its simplest form. For much of his career, Peralta has been asked to be a blocker. Some tight ends are primary targets in the passing game, others like Peralta, help open holes so that others can get the glory.
With the departure of Ram tight ends Kivon Cartwright and Steven Walker last season, this year was supposed to be Peralta’s opportunity to become more involved in the passing game. But then probable starting fullback Adam Prentice went down with a knee injury in fall camp, and Peralta has stepped in to fill that position. It’s a role he has played before, and one that he has no problem carrying out. “My position (fullback), it’s not a hard position, it’s just a position about attitude,” Peralta said. “It’s basically me versus their middle linebacker or their defensive end or their toughest dudes. I’m going as hard as I can and to see who comes out the winner.” That mentality has been engraved in his him his whole life. Peralta says that the game of football deserves to be played physically. That’s the standard he grew up with. He sharpened that standard in his first two seasons at CSU, when he played on the other side of the ball, playing linebacker on a defense where he faced former Rams and now-NFL’ers in tight end Crockett Gilmore and center Weston Richburg. “I feel like I’ve played with some of the best guys who have ever come through CSU, and I know I’ve been able to hang with them or at least hold my own against them.” Peralta said. “When I switched to offense I just tried to keep that mentality playing offense with a defensive mindset.” As a primary blocker from either the tight end or Colorado State tight end Nolan Peralta has seen his role grow from a special teams player as an underclassman fullback position, that physi- to a key contributor and captain as a senior. PHOTO COURTESY OF CSU ATHLETICS cal defensive-offensive mind- take a touchdown catch or a and effort does more than make at himself and he holds himself pancake block, he didn’t hesi- Peralta a solid contributor on to a high standard. It’s a great set serves him well. the field. In a team that’s been example for everybody on this “I find a lot of joy in phys- tate to answer. “I’d rather take a touch- in search of leadership for football team and how you apically dominated somebody when I am out on the field, and down pass,” Peralta said with a much of the season, Peralta proach every single day.” have the opportunity to do that laugh, but he added, “A pancake stands as one of the standards. He can be a vocal motivator Bobo said that true leaders when need be, but it all starts in and I try and take full advan- is not to far behind for me behave influence, Players might what Peralta’s teammates see tage of it,” Peralta said. “It’s a cause it’s a success for me.” As far as outsiders go, he be pegged as a captain or a lead- in him as he takes the field evphysical game and it deserves knows he plays a mostly thank- er, but if nobody on the team ery day. to be played that way.” Some player’s joy might less role, after all, the meat listens to them and they don’t “When you look in a man’s come from catching a touch- grinding fullback is certainly have any influence, it doesn’t eyes and see that he has given down or making that big play. not your glamour position. But matter. his entire being to that play or Leadership comes from that game, that you have given For Peralta, his joy comes from that’s okay with him. His teammates can still see holding the same values as a all the energy and effort that exerting his will on his opponent. That’s the skill-set he was it on film or during the game coaching staff, of approach- you possibly had, they want to given. That’s how he helps his when he “finishes off” an op- ing things the right way. What match that,” Peralta said. ponent. It works to fire up the Bobo wants, is epitomized by team. As far as matching stanAnd he did have a chance sideline. And the people that Peralta. dard’s go, Peralta’s is a pretty “Every play he is trying to good way to start. this year to get some of that matter, his teammates and his recognition when he caught his coaches, approve of him and do his job and dominate, and Eric Wolf can be reached by first career touchdown in the the work that he puts into the dominate his opponent, the guy email at sports@collegian.com. in front of him,” Bobo said. “If team in his own way. team’s 38-17 loss to Wyoming. That physical domination he doesn’t do it right he is upset Whether Peralta would
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
Colorado State running backs leading resurgent Rams offense
Kinsey, Matthews, Dawkins racking up big numbers as CSU looks toward a bowl By Eric Wolf @Eric_Wolf5
Coming into the 2016 season, the Colorado State Rams thought they had the pieces in place to start the season running on offense. An experienced offensive line and returning running backs Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews were supposed to be the focal point of the Ram offense in 2016. It did not start off quite as planned, as the running game struggled to find it’s footing consistently in the first half of the season. Now in November, the ground game is finding it’s groove just at the right time and doing so with a balanced stable of contributors. The potential and balance of the ground game showed in the team’s 42-23 win over UNLV where the team picked up 228 yards on the ground, and three different tailbacks ran for more than 50 yards. The workload in that game was spread pretty evenly between Dawkins (14 carries), Matthews (15 carries) and talented freshman Marvin Kinsey Jr (10 carries). “I’d like to see it balanced I really would,” coach Mike Bobo said of his running back situation. “I think all three bring a dif-
ferent dynamic to our run game, but I’m still not opposed if one guy we feel like he is feeling it and running the way we want to run, for him getting the most carries that game. It’s not set in stone.” Bobo said that the carries should remain fairly equal with his backs throughout the rest of the season, but he won’t hesitate to keep feeding the ball carrier with the hot hand. Kinsey’s 10 carries against UNLV were by far the most he had in a game since the week four contest against Wyoming where he had a critical first half fumble. But Kinsey’s ability has flashed in spurts this season, including the freshman’s 34yard touchdown run in the UNLV game. Bobo said the team tried to get Kinsey some more carries against UNLV because of the way the freshman back had been practicing, and to show the running back that they still trusted him to carry the football after his fumbles. His work payed off against UNLV. “We will probably see as much of Marvin as we did last week or maybe a little more it’s how the game goes and the style of runs we are running,” Bobo said. With Kinsey back in the equation, having to delegate
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carries between three talented backs is not a bad problem to have. “I think it’s mainly just keeping fresh legs for one, and you get a different style runner each time,” Dawkins said about the trio of runners. “When you are wearing down a defense, they get used to one running back and then they have to adjust to another one, so that’s what is good (about it).” And for a guy like Dawkins who wants the ball in his hand as much as possible to make big plays, having fresh legs, especially at this point in the season, comes second to none. And just like last season, the Rams running game is coming together just at the right time. I think it’s important that you are able to keep fresh backs,” offensive coordinator Will Friend said. “I think October and November you win with your running game and upfront.” As fall shifts to winter, especially in Colorado, football games are won on the ground. The climate, and worn-down opposing defenders make offensive line and running back play pivotal in the later parts of the season. Take last year for example, when the Rams reeled off four straight wins as November
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popped up on the calendar. In those four wins, the Rams averaged just over 258-yards per game rushing. It’s a team that looks to be getting into position to have a similar kind of run on the ground this year, and for the team’s success in the closing month of the season, that kind of rushing production certainly increases those chances. “Im hoping so,” Golditch said about having a strong month in the running game. “You never really know how
you are going to play until it’s all said and done, but that’s definitely what we are trying to do, that’s what we are preparing for. It would be super cool to keep up with a 200-plus-yard game (average) throughout November. It’s going to be important because this is the time of the season when people are kind of beat up and as an offensive line we need to oppose our will on defenses.” Eric Wolf can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.
Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Across 1 Home for Pogo 6 Affirmative answer 9 Silences, as a TV 14 Artist’s prop 15 Pie __ mode 16 Wagnerian work 17 “Farewell, chérie” 18 CBS forensic drama 19 Antianxiety drug 20 “Bro, I thought you were gonna help” 23 Many a GI 24 Jerry Garcia’s band, familiarly 28 Socializing with the queen, maybe 31 Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er __” 32 Bullets and such 33 Lots and lots 35 Accessories for the highchair set 36 Decide in advance 37 Gonzalez boy in 2000 headlines 39 Look at lasciviously 40 Hourly charge 41 “I expected as much” 43 “... __ saw Elba”
44 Owns 45 More like a button? 46 Is really boiling 48 Reggae kin 49 Follow the ethical path 55 Set to simmer, as a burner 58 Spanish eye 59 Sag 60 Southern inflection 61 Looking sickly 62 Novelist Zola 63 Suddenly occurs to, with “on” 64 Computer program suffix 65 Went out with Down 1 Close securely 2 Stroll in the shallows 3 “Yeah, sure!” 4 Track event 5 Made fluffy, as pillows 6 Millionaire’s boat 7 “Frozen” princess 8 Minnesota college named for Norway’s patron 9 Spunk 10 Moving around 11 Morning break hour
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12 Historical period 13 Classic doo-wop horn 21 Slip past 22 Phone button letters next to a4 25 Political fugitive 26 One strolling 27 Medicine measures 28 Harshly bright 29 Perfectly 30 “You’re talking too loud” 31 Puts the worm on 33 __-ski 34 Sewing machine inventor 38 Shaving mishaps 42 Covered, as in a man-to-man defense 44 Axe 47 Coyote cries 48 Rosetta __ 50 “Stronger than dirt!” cleanser 51 “Joy of Cooking” writer Rombauer 52 __ alone: have no help 53 Putting target 54 Adorned with Angel Soft, say 55 Like every other number 56 Food service trade org. 57 Attorney’s field Yesterday’s solution
SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution
BREWSTER ROCKIT TIM RICKARD
APARTMENTVILLE BEN GOWEN
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Inside The Lines Friday, November 4, 2016