Colorado State Football Ag Day Preview Edition

Special Ag Day Football Preview Edition Friday, September 4, 2015 Volume 124, No. 19 • collegian.com

Rashard Higgins Collectible Poster INSIDE |PAGE 10| One Final Shot Kivon Cartwright returns for sixth and final season PAGE 13

#Hollywood

Rashard Higgins heads into 2015 as nation’s top wideout PAGE 14

High Hopes

CSU opens 2015 with high expectations after bowl berths PAGE 7

Leading man

Redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens takes over Colorado State’s loaded offense in 2015 PAGE 8 COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!

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Players to watch for Colorado State this year

By Geoff Huebner @GeoffHuebner

The Colorado State football team enters its season opener with a chance to learn and grow as they face a relatively safe opponent in a Savannah State team that went 0-12 last year and is riding a 23-game losing streak.

Here are some players to keep on eye on Saturday, and for the rest of the season, on both sides of the ball: Nick Stevens, quarterback It seems as though all eyes will be on quarterback Nick Stevens on Saturday against the Savannah State Tigers. The sophomore from Murrieta, California is looking to prove that he has what it takes to be the shot caller that the Rams need after losing Garrett Grayson to the NFL. Stevens played in four games last season, completing 15-of-25 attempts for 136 total yards and

one touchdown. He not only has an opportunity Saturday to claim his first win as the starter for the Rams, but to set the tone for the rest of the season and justify Mike Bobo’s decision to award him the job.

Joe Hansley, receiver Keep an eye out for wide receiver Joe Hansley Saturday against Savannah State. He is a sure-handed receiver with quick feet and has a knack for making explosive plays on the offensive side of the ball and on special teams as a punt returner. The senior from of Highlands Ranch, Colorado has 108 career receptions for 1,427 yards. Bobo acknowledged that while Hansley is not the most physically impressive receiver on the team, his playmaking ability is undeniable. If the rungame opens up opportunities for quarterback Nick Stevens to make a big play, expect Hansley

or Higgins to be on the receiving end.

Sam Carlson, tackle Senior Sam Carlson is a sixfoot-four, 295-pound offensive lineman from Wellington, Colorado. He looks to lead the offensive line at right tackle and could very well establish himself this season as an NFL prospect, much like Weston Richburg and Ty Sambrailo did in the past two years respectively. Carlson started all 13 games last season at right tackle and as a first-year starter helped block for a 4,006yard passer in Garrett Grayson, and a 1,275-yard rusher in Dee Hart. Look for Carlson to set the tone up front and help keep Stevens upright.

Preston Hodges, cornerback The junior college transfer from Bakersfield Community College started 12 games for CSU last year, but his responsibilities

will increase significantly this season with Bernard Blake gone.

Hodges gained plenty of experience last year, recording 69 tackles, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. He will not be able to roam as freely as a playmaker this year though, as he will be tasked with tougher assignments in coverage. The junior seems up for the task, but he did miss spring camp, and he will be replacing one of the conference’s best defensive backs.

Joe Kawulok, defensive end Pass rush is not defined solely by sacks, but that is definitely a big part of it. The Rams finished 10th in the Mountain West with just 19 last season. Kawulok provided 3.5 of those, all in one game against Tulsa. New defensive coordinator Tyson Summers comes to CSU from the University of Central Florida, where he coached a defense that led the

American Athletic Conference in sacks (36). With Cory James moving to the middle, the Rams will need to find someone to provide an outside pass rush, and Kawulok seems like the best candidate.

Kiel Robinson, linebacker Bobo raved about the redshirt sophomore throughout spring and fall camp. However, Robinson will surely have his hands full trying to make up for the loss of last year’s leading tacklers Max Morgan and Aaron Davis. Fans may not be as familiar with Robinson as they are with Kevin Davis, who is more of a known commodity, but both will have to prove themselves not just as reliable tacklers, but as capable coverage linebackers as well.

Geoff Huebner can be reached by email at sports@ collegian.com.

2015 Rams

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Football Schedule

Saturday , Sept. 5 Savannah State Tigers Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, CO 2:00 p.m. MT

Saturday , Oct. 17 Air Force Falcons (HC) Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, CO 1:30 p.m. MT

Saturday , Sept. 12 Minnesota Golden Gophers Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, CO 1:30 p.m. MT

Saturday , Oct. 31 San Diego State Aztecs Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, CO 1:30 p.m. MT

Saturday , Sept. 19 at Colorado Buffaloes Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO 5:00 p.m. MT

Saturday , Nov. 7 at Wyoming Cowboys War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, WY Time TBA

Saturday , Sept. 26 at UTSA Roadrunners Alamodome, San Antonio, TX 5:00 p.m. MT

Saturday , Nov. 14 UNLV Rebels Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, CO 5:00 p.m. MT

Saturday , Oct. 3 at Utah State Aggies Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT Time TBA

Saturday , Nov. 21 at New Mexico Lobos University Stadium, Albuquerque, NM 3:30 p.m. MT

Saturday , Oct. 10 Boise State Broncos Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, CO 5:00 p.m. MT

Saturday , Nov. 28 at Fresno State Bulldogs Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, CA 7:00 p.m. MT

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15 13 1

31

33

90 93 68 9 70 66 61 67 52 44

31

24 18

7 22

1020 30 40

When the Rams are on offense...

33 27 50

4 82

2

40 35 45 X 55 56 58 61 77 72 54 71 86 7

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KEEGAN POPE COLLEGIAN

Offense

Defense

7- Nick Stevens, QB, 6-3, 205, Sophomore

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1- Dalyn Dawkins, RB, 5-9, 175, Sophomore

68- 68- Justin Hansen, DT, 6-5, 305, Senior

82- Rashard Higgins, WR, 6-2, 190, Junior

93- 93- Terry Jackson, DT, 6-1, 295, Senior

25- Joe Hansley, WR, 5-10, 180, Senior

90- 90- Joe Kawulok, RDE, 6-6, 250, Senior

2- Deionte Gaines, WR, 5-8, 180, Sophomore

15- 15- Kiel Robinson, SLB, 6-2, 225, Sophomore

86- Kivon Cartwright, TE, 6-4, 245, Senior

31- 31- Cory James, MLB, 6-0, 245, Senior

71- Sam Carlson, RT, 6-4, 295, Senior

33- 33- Kevin Davis, WLB, 6-3, 240, Junior

54- Fred Zerblis, RG, 6-3, 295, Junior

13- 13- DeAndre Elliott, LCB, 6-1, 185, Senior

72- Kevin O’Brien, C, 6-3, 295, Senior

16- 16- Trent Matthews, SS, 6-3, 210, Senior

77- Jake Bennett, LG, 6-3, 295, Sophomore

26- 26- Kevin Pierre-Louis, FS, 6-1, 215, Senior

61- Zack Golditch, LT, 6-6, 290, Sophomore

24- 24- Preston Hodges, RCB, 5-11, 200, Junior

9- Martavius Foster, LDE, 6-4, 270, Senior

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40 3020 10

When the Rams are on defense...

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CSU linebackers ready to take charge of new defense

By Keegan Pope @ByKeeganPope

684 tackles. 70 starts. Eight years of combined experience.

That’s what Colorado State has to replace with the departures of Max Morgan and Aaron Davis, two of the most highly-regarded linebackers in school history. The duo wasn’t just two of CSU’s all-time leading tacklers, but they were the heart and soul of the Rams’ defense over the past three years.

But, as happens every year, outgoing players must be replaced, and CSU’s dynamic tackling twosome were no different.

Looking to replace them are a host of big, talented, fast linebackers who, according to head coach Mike Bobo, only lack experience.

“We’ve got some size, we’ve got some athletic ability, but the experience is the thing (we’re missing),” Bobo said. “You’ve got Cory James playing ‘Mike,’ which he’s never played, you’ve got Kiel (Robinson) and Kevin (Davis), but Kevin played a little bit last season and Kiel only played special teams. They don’t have a lot of game reps, so it’s very important that they lock in every day and get better every day. As far as athletic ability, though, I’m really impressed with the linebackers. Josh Wat-

son is another guy who’s doing a great job, and so is Demontrie Taylor, a guy we moved to ‘Sam.’” Along with wide receiver, linebacker is one of CSU’s deepest positions, with Robinson, Davis and James running the majority of the first-team reps.

However, the aforementioned Watson and Taylor, as well as redshirt sophomore Evan Colorito and junior Deonte Clyburn have been impressive, as well.

“It’s always a competition,” Clyburn said Thursday. “Once you see another guy make a good play, you feel like you have to make one, too. We really just take it day-by-day and rep-byrep, and whatever happens you just go with the flow.”

As if replacing two standout linebackers wasn’t hard enough, CSU is also adjusting to a new defensive scheme, moving primarily from a 3-4 to a 4-3.

They’ve also changed defensive coordinators, from Al Simmons and Marty English co-coordinating the team last year, to the fiery, young Tyson Summers this season. Simmons is gone, but English, who is the primary linebackers position coach, was retained under Bobo, something all of the linebackers can agree was a huge positive.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

“It’s huge to have him back because everybody here is familiar with Coach English,” Davis said. “He knows how to push us and learning those new calls will be hard sometimes, but he knows how to put it in the old terms we know and help us understand what we’re doing.”

Though the adjustment to Summers’ in-your-face coach-

ing style was a bit of a culture shock at first, players have taken well to both his aggressive scheme and demeanor, praising him for raising the energy and intensity level of the group as a whole.

“At first it was difficult to adjust to, but as time has gone on, it’s been a lot easier,” Robinson said of the adjustment period.

“He’s a very fiery guy, but he’s fun to be around and he’s actually pretty funny. Personally, I really like him.”

“I think that’s something that the coaches are really harping on is physicality,” Davis added. “And I definitely think we’re tougher as a group.

Keegan Pope can be reached at kpope@collegian.com.

6 Friday, September 4, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

collegian.com

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Friday, September 4, 2015 • Page 7

Rams embracing high expectations for 2015 following 10-win season week out.”

Expectations are not the only thing that Bobo has to embrace either. The SEC coach has also had to adapt to the school’s new colors, especially the Aggie orange. After all, he will be surrounded by a sea of it Saturday. CSU’s season opener is going to be an

The Rams hoist the Bronze Boot after defeating the University of Wyoming Cowboys 45-31 at Hughes Stadium last season. PHOTO BY ELIOTT FOUST COLLEGIAN

By Geoff Huebner @Huebnermedia93

CSU’s season opener Saturday at Hughes Stadium against the Savannah State Tigers officially marks the beginning of the Mike Bobo era for Colorado State.

Not only is the game a chance for the new head coach to start off on the right foot, it could also be the 500th win in program history, dating all the way back to CSU’s first ever win Jan. 28, 1893.

A victory over the Tigers would also mark the fourth time in the past five seasons that the Rams have started off with a win.

The Tigers, on the other hand, went 0-12 last season and enter Saturday’s matchup on a 23game losing streak.

That doesn’t mean that the Rams are taking this matchup lightly.

“We could play the number one team in the country,” Kevin Pierre-Louis said. “We’re going to treat them just the same way.

We’re not treating Savannah State any different than Colorado. We treat Savannah State like the best team in the country, so we’ve got to be prepared, we still have to do everything right.”

The senior safety’s outlook on Saturday’s game aligns closely with his expectations for the

season.

“It’s my senior year, so obviously I’m thankful to see that year come, but I’m expecting big things from this team,” Pierre-Louis said.

Part of the reason why Pierre-Louis has his sights set so high is because he has been a part of the team long enough to see it go from 3-9 when he redshirted in 2011, to a 10-win season last year and back-to-back bowl game appearances. The six-footone, 215-pound safety from Del Rio, Texas does not want to return to another season with only four wins, nor does he believe the team will.

Bobo carries high expectations for the season as well.

He spent the past 14 seasons as the offensive coordinator at the University of Georgia, where the Bulldogs regularly thrived against highly-touted SEC defenses. Of the 92 games that Bobo held the offensive coordinator position for Georgia, the Bulldogs scored 30-plus points 57 times, 40-plus points 29 times and more than 50 points 13 times. In 2014, Georgia averaged 41.7 points per game under Bobo.

While the first-year head coach might not realistically expect that type of production from this offense, he still holds his team to a high standard.

“Like I tell these guys all the time, it’s not the YMCA, it’s not the Boy’s Club or little league, everybody’s not getting to play,” Bobo said. “You have got to earn your right to play on Saturday, just because you are on scholarship doesn’t mean you’re going to get on the field. You have to earn that right. If mom wants to take a picture, she can come take one in warm ups.”

In order for the team to be able to meet Bobo’s high standards, they will have to focus each and everyday, something that the coach also preaches.

“That’s going to really be the message every week,” Bobo said.

“We’ve got to stick to that plan of staying in the moment today, working on what we can control. … Stay in that moment and work hard at the job in front of you and then everything will take care of itself.”

If the Rams can follow their coach’s advice and focus on their tasks one day at a time, they will be able to deal with the high expectations, and will have a great shot at getting where they want to go this season.

“I think you’ve got to embrace the expectations,” Bobo said. “I think you want to be at a place that has those type of expectations to compete at a high level week in and

“Orange Out” in honor of the school’s Ag Day. “At Georgia we never wore orange,” Bobo said. “I don’t own anything orange… Clemson wore orange, Auburn wore orange, Florida wore orange, but I’m getting used to it.”

Geoff Huebner can be reached at sports@collegian.com.

8 Friday, September 4, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, September 4, 2015

TIME TO SHINE

Nick Stevens tasked with replacing

By Keegan Pope and Quentin Sickafoose @ByKeeganPope @QSickafoose

Nick Stevens may have never played football if he didn’t take matters into his own hands.

Colorado State’s 2015 opening day starter developed an early interest for the game which he was solely responsible for; not his father, Matt, or older brother, Jake. He wanted to play, but it wasn’t that easy.

He asked his parents several times, and his mother, Stacy, refused to take the chance of him getting hurt. She wanted to see him focus that drive into baseball, which he also played.

But, Stevens remained persistent.

Knowing it would require a drastic measure, he approached his mother in fifth grade and offered to fund the football fees himself if she would finally be willing to give him her blessing.

“I knew at that point he was serious about it,” Stacy said. “Obviously, we didn’t actually make him pay for it. But when he came to me and said that, I thought, ‘well, this kid is ready to play now.’”

Stevens starred at California prep football power Vista Murrieta High School, where he rewrote the record books in just two seasons as the starter.

Putting on the pads Eager with his first opportunity to play football, Stevens made it a point to be a team-first player, offering to play any position on either side of the ball in middle school. Before finding a home at the quarterback position, he was introduced to a role that had a night-and-day difference.

His first coach asked the team who would be willing to fill the role at center, to which nobody raised their hand — except Stevens.

He spent his first year snapping the football, and a member of the offensive line the next.

He also tried his hand as a tight end and on defense until he ultimately found a spot as the team’s backup quarterback in eighth grade.

That shift benefitted him as he entered high school and joined a Vista Murrieta fresh-

man squad that was thin at quarterback.

“The thing about Nick that sticks out to me is that he was always such a team player,” said Coley Candaele, who has been at the helm of the Vista Murrieta program since the high school’s inception in 2003. “It was more than just what us coaches wanted. He was always that guy that was there for all of his teammates and found that true leadership trait as he grew older.”

After his sophomore season, Stevens found himself in a race for the starting quarterback position along with Randy Beggs, who now plays safety for the Naval Academy.

Both Stevens and Beggs brought skills to the table that Candaele had interest in. But, as the summer of 2011 began to wind down, he knew that Stevens would be the one taking snaps on Friday nights during the upcoming fall.

“I knew once Nick got behind the center and I saw his presence,” Candaele said. “Our offense took off when Nick started distributing the ball and started being that unselfish quarterback that makes everybody feel that his presence on the field makes everybody better. He just creates an environment of winners.”

Rewriting the record book During his junior and senior seasons as the main catalyst for the offense, Stevens led Vista Murrieta to 27 victories in the 28 games he played.

The biggest trouble Stevens brought to opposing defenses was that he remained a dual-threat with an ability to pass and run the football. In 2012, he racked up 661 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

He owns school single-season passing records with 24 touchdowns, 2,316 yards and 149 completions, while the Broncos made two consecutive appearances in the CIF Championship game, claiming the crown his junior year.

“That was a proud momma moment,” Stacy said. “Luckily, we were at a school where he got a lot of recognition and other parents would come up all the time saying how awesome he was, even when he didn’t have

his most awesome game.”

As Stevens began to find success his junior year, reaching milestones and shattering high school records, his dreams of playing at the collegiate level started to become real.

His numbers led to recognition from Division I programs as he received a three-star prospect rating from ESPN.com and twostar ratings from Scout.com and Rivals.com.

“I liked the attention. I know a lot of people don’t really like it, but I liked it a lot,” Stevens admitted. “It kind of motivated me a lot during practice when a coach was out there to try to be the best I can.

Even when there wasn’t one there, I knew that there might be one the next day at the next practice, so I had to get better during that practice.”

During the summer following his junior year, Stevens and his mother skipped out on a family vacation to Lake Powell, an annual trip that became somewhat of a tradition, to check out a number of different colleges.

The two main schools on the docket were Colorado State and Utah State, both of which had offered him scholarships.

“I was never one of those moms that was like, ‘Oh yeah, my kid is going and getting a scholarship,’” Stacy said. “It was all very humbling, and I was shocked when we got the first offer. Nick did a lot of the talking to the coaches all on his own. He was our first kid going through something like this.”

Along with a nearly undefeated high school football career, Stevens was exceptional in the classroom, graduating with a 4.21 grade-point average, while being named to the Southwestern League all-scholastic team in 2011 and 2012, the same years he was Vista Murrieta’s starting quarterback.

“Nick is basically a rocket scientist. His test scores and GPA are off the chart,” Candaele said. “In 20 years of coaching and having countless players go

on to college, to play football or not, Nick Stevens was the last person I would ever worry about in terms of grades.”

Letting go When Stevens returned to California to train for his upcoming senior season, he told Candaele that he had found his next home.

Colorado State had won Stevens’ choice by being the first to offer a scholarship to him. He had been on one official visit and taken another

unofficial one at PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN a time when Jim McElwain had taken over the about yourself. I liked the community (at CSU). A lot of people program with a vision to get cared about everybody else, also the Rams back on the rise.

“It’s kind of nice to get away the community.”

Stevens’ family supported from California and all the craziness,” Stevens said. “People his decision. They made the trip really don’t care about anything out to get him moved into his but themselves out there some- dorm in the fall of 2013.

“I didn’t cry in front of him, times, the hustle and bustle all

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record-setting quarterback Garrett Grayson I wouldn’t let myself,” Stacy said.

Stacy, Nick’s biggest supporter, didn’t want to leave him feeling like he was doing any wrong for deciding to pursue higher education outside of the state he was born and raised in.

She refused to let her son take a step back and feel like he had to be there for her.

“As soon as we dropped him off and got in the car, that was a

different story,” she said.

“That’s when the tears started to roll.”

The big jump Adjusting to life in college is a tall order for almost every young adult. And, when you’re doing so nearly 1,100 miles away from the town you grew up in,

while balancing a full course load and training as a Division I athlete, it only adds more to your plate.

That was the case in the fall of 2013 for Stevens, who landed on attending CSU after spending his life in California; but life on the football field was a different world.

He had come from dominating high school teams in his junior and senior seasons to suddenly going back to being the low man on the totem pole. In his first couple weeks playing with the Rams, Stevens remained in good contact with Coley Candaele, his former coach at Vista Murrieta High School.

“I remember checking in on Nick a few times to see how things were going,” Candaele said.

“He told me that the work they put in was about the same, but I still remember him saying ‘Man, these guys are just a lot stronger and faster.’”

That adjustment was something all of the new Rams were tasked with getting used to.

“When you come here, everybody is just as good as you, if not, better,” Stevens said. “It’s kind of cool being on a team of superstars because everybody out there really earned their scholarship.”

During his freshman year, Stevens was paired up with Elroy Masters, Jr., another freshman who signed to play wide receiver at CSU, to live with in the Parmelee residence hall.

Living with one of his teammates helped with the transition for Stevens, who said they spent their first summer playing volleyball with other incoming CSU athletes, including transfers from the basketball team.

They understood the process and helped one another along the way. “(It was) just the basic things

like waking each other up for 6 a.m. workouts, to all being on the same schedule, to coming back to our dorm at the same time,” Stevens said. “We’d all relate our struggles with balancing football and academics and a social life, basically all help each other out in that aspect.”

Making his debut After redshirting during the 2013-14 season, Stevens stood in the mix of a team that was plentiful at quarterback. Upcoming senior Garrett Grayson had come off a career-best season with CSU, which left Craig Leonard and Stevens vying for a backup spot.

The Nick Stevens File Hometown: Murrieta, California Major: Business Administration Height: 6’3” Weight: 205 lbs.

Fun Fact: Stevens is marrying longtime girlfriend Haley Scheer May 28 On April 12, 2014, the Rams held a team scrimmage at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park outside Denver, in which he shined in the playing time he was given.

Stevens ran with every offensive team the Rams had, and even led the first-string offense late in a two-minute drill practice. He finished the day completing 12 of his 18 attempts for 166 yards and two touchdowns.

“Nick’s a good player, guys,” then-CSU coach Jim McElwain said after the scrimmage. “He took them right down the field. I feel good about him being a player for us.”

However, Stevens would have to sit on the bench a bit longer before he got his first chance in a real game.

His time to shine finally came on Sept. 13. The Rams were up by three touchdowns on UC Davis late in the game, and Stevens knew he’d eventually get the call.

In attendance was his girlfriend of four years, Haley Scheer, who now attends San Diego State University but has been with Stevens since they

met when he was playing junior varsity for Vista Murrieta.

“Yeah, I was definitely nervous for him. This isn’t high school anymore and some of those guys are 300 pounds,” Scheer said. “But we kind of knew it was coming when they were up by that much.”

He completed all three of his passes against UC Davis for 27 total yards. A week later, he threw his first collegiate touchdown to All-American wideout Rashard Higgins from 36 yards out against Tulsa, although he refused to take the credit for it.

“It’s kind of a milestone getting that first touchdown,” Stevens said. “But obviously, I’ll credit Rashard. It was a 2-yard throw and he took it (the rest of the way).”

Back at the Stevens household, Nick’s debut in the UC Davis game proved to be a landmark moment. His parents, Matt and Stacy, were watching on the downstairs television, which was a few seconds behind the one his brother Jake was watching upstairs.

“It was quite the ordeal at my house,” Stevens said while laughing.

Jake began cheering when Nick entered the huddle for his first time, confusing the others watching below. But what happened that day proved to be a sign of what’s to come.

“It’s pretty cool being here and seeing how everyone else back home is so excited for him,” Scheer said. “CSU has thousands of more fans back here in California just because everybody's watching him and now supporting the team.”

Getting his shot Now listed as Colorado State's opening day starter, Stevens is embracing the opportunity to lead an offense that carries high expectations.

Stevens played in five games during the 2014 season, completing 15 of 25 passes for 136 yards and one touchdown. He was expected to be the heir apparent to Garrett Grayson, but when head coach Jim McElwain took his talents to Gainesville, Florida., and the University of Florida football team, the quarterback race blew right back open.

When Mike Bobo was tabbed to succeed McElwain right before the winter holidays, Stevens knew he had a lot to learn, including Bobo’s uptempo brand of offense, one which led him to be considered as one of the best offensive minds in the SEC. Stevens battled with redshirt freshman Coleman Key through spring practice and the first week of preseason camp before being named the starter Aug. 17. Though he has be enthrown into a new offense with a new head coach and offensive coordinator, Stevens inherits one of the best groups of skill players not only in the Mountain West, but in the entire country. That type of supporting cast makes his job a lot easier, according to Stevens.

“It definitely eases your mind that you have so many playmakers around you,” Stevens said. “Anywhere I go with the ball, I know that if they catch it they’re going to make a play.

Even if I just hand the ball off, we can get an explosive play. I think it’s just very calming knowing, and I just know that anybody on the field at any given time is going to be able to make a play and possibly score.”

Stevens’ roommate and best friend, Masters, is among those possible weapons for Stevens to spread the ball to when the team kicks off the 2015 season Saturday against Savannah State.

Despite the significance of Saturday’s game, Masters believes Stevens is more than ready for the challenge.

“I just told Nick that no matter what, he just has to go out there and play football,” Masters said. “He got the starting job because of the plays he made and the confidence that he had, and now that he has it, he just has to go play the same way he did through camp.

Whether it’s this game, or one during the rest of the season, there’s going to be ups and downs but he just has to keep it simple and he’ll be fine. I’m really excited for him. He deserves this.”

Keegan Pope can be reached at kpope@collegian.com Quentin Sickafoose also contributed to this story.

10 Friday, 4, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian Friday,September September 4, 2015 Volume 124, No. 19 • collegian.com

collegian.com Collectible Poster 1 of 8 Colorado State vs. Savannah State

PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN

| 82 | Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins | 6’2 | Junior |

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Staff picks: 2015 Colorado State football predictions The Collegian Sports Desk weighs in on what to expect from Colorado State's football team in the 2015 season and gives their predictions for the opener against Savannah State:

Emmett McCarthy

quarterback Nick Stevens. It is hard not to remember the struggles Garrett Grayson had early in his career before blossoming in his junior and senior years. Some growing pains are probably unavoidable, but if the team can manage to fare well in non-conference play, it should find itself back in a bowl game come season’s end.

Sports Editor

Colorado State vs. Savannah State score: 58-7 CSU CSU's season record (Mountain West record): 8-4 overall (4-4 MW) Season outlook prediction: A slight drop off from last year’s 10-win season seems inevitable.

CSU loses the head coach who rebuilt the program, its all-time leading passer, its leading rusher, its two leading tacklers, an NFL-caliber left tackle and one of the best cornerbacks in the Mountain West, among others.

Yet, somehow, I still believe this team wins eight games. Mike Bobo is the ideal hire to continue moving the program in the right direction without losing much momentum from last year. A lot will come down to new starting

did in his senior year. But, the defense has made strides and will make up for lost points on CSU’s side of the scoreboard. Under McElwain last season, the Rams gave up at least three scores in every game they played. They were unable to stop any opponent from scoring 17 or more.

With how much Mike Bobo has been preaching that defense will win his team games, expect that to change this year.

Sam Lounsberry Assistant Sports Editor

Colorado State vs. Savannah State score: 43-9 CSU CSU's season record (Mountain West record): 8-4 overall (5-3 MW) Season outlook prediction: Yes, there is a sophomore quarterback at the helm of this offense.

And yes, he is attempting to fill the shoes of CSU’s all-time leading passer. By predicting eight wins for the Rams, I’m not saying this offense will be as good as last year’s. Stevens has a few years ahead of him before he can run an offense like Garrett Grayson

Geoff Huebner Football Reporter

Colorado State vs. Savannah State score: 45-10 CSU CSU's season record (Mountain West record): 9-3 overall (6-2 MW) Season outlook prediction: Despite the departures from last season’s team, the Rams return a lot of talent and have depth in the right places. Rams fans will miss the familiar site of number 18 leading the offense at quarterback, but the talented new starter

Nick Stevens will have plenty to work with. Between four gameready tight ends and a decorated receiver group, Stevens will have one of the best receiving corps in the country. Combine this with a promising rushing tandem in Dalyn Dawkins and Treyous Jarrells, and the Rams have what they need to put up big numbers on Saturdays. The team also has a resilient defense to rely on when necessary. It will be led by a veteran secondary that possesses a physical, striking mentality.

Head coach Mike Bobo appears to be just the right man to step in, keep the players focused and hungry, and keep the program on track.

Keegan Pope Football Reporter

Colorado State vs. Savannah State score: 56-7 CSU CSU's season record (Mountain West record): 9-3 overall (7-1 MW) Season outlook prediction: Un-

like my counterparts, I don’t see much of a drop-off in terms of win for CSU this season. Yes, Garrett Grayson is gone. But, Nick Stevens has been handed the keys to a Ferrari and asked not to crash it. As long as Stevens can manage the game and get the ball to the bevy of playmakers CSU has, the Rams will be just fine. The only non-conference losses I see for CSU are Sept. 12 against a very good Minnesota team at home, and Sept. 19 against Colorado.

Boise State will be the team to go through in the Mountain West as always, but CSU gets them at home this year in what will be a rocking Hughes Stadium.

Utah State is always tough, and winning in Logan with a healthy Chuckie Keeton is nearly impossible for Mountain West teams.

Other than that, CSU has most of its toughest games at home, and face a weak second-half league schedule with games against New Mexico and UNLV toward the end of the season. Expect the Rams to be right back in the conversation for a Mountain West title.

Collegian Sports Editor can be reached by email at sports@ collegian.com and on Twitter @ emccarthy22.

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SPORTS

Friday, September 12, 2015 • Page 12

Cory James embracing move to middle linebacker Senior jumps from outside linebacker into role as leader of the defense Cory James (31) ranks fifth all-time at CSU in career sacks. PHOTO BY EMMETT MCCARTHY COLLEGIAN

By Keegan Pope @ByKeeganPope

As Marshawn Lynch famously said, “I’m just about that action boss.” CSU senior linebacker Cory James takes the same approach.

James, who has the fifthmost sacks in Colorado State history with 22, is quiet and humble during interviews, and avoids the spotlight in most moments. At times he seems standoffish, although anyone who knows him well will tell you that he is as good-hearted of a person that they know. As the starter last season at the “Sam” or strong-side linebacker position, James was again a terror for opposing offensive lines, recording 51 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. So, when new head coach Mike Bobo and defensive coordinator Tyson Summers asked him to move inside to the middle linebacker spot in their 4-3 scheme after the spending the last three seasons on the outisde, he was a little hesitant.

“At first, I was a little con-

fused, and I was like, ‘Why are you doing it?” James said. “But, I feel like “Mike” is a better position, I like it, and I like new changes and I’ve really taken on that role.”

James admits that there was a learning curve, not only at a new position, but also in the new scheme. Despite the emergence of Kiel Robinson and Kevin Davis on the outside, moving Davis to middle where had less to do with them and more to do with his ability to make plays, according to defensive coordinator Tyson Summers.

“I think any time you’re talking defensively, and it’s a philosophy I share with Coach (Bobo), if you’re going to be good, most of the time the good defenses are good up the middle,” Summers said. “You want to have your good players as your inside guys on the defensive line, you certainly want your inside backers to be those people and your safeties, too.

So, the opportunity to get him into a position where he can do a lot of different things for

us, regardless of what title he has a middle linebacker or an outside linebacker, it gives us opportunities to put him into a position to be successful and we certainly think that’s it for right now.”

All will agree that he still has things to learn about the intricacies of playing the position, including taking on a more vocal leadership role as the center of CSU’s defense.

He’s leaned on former CSU standouts Max Morgan and Aaron Davis for a few tidbits of advice, and both told him that if he ever has questions to not hesitate to call. As the relay between Summers and the rest of the defense on play calls, James has opened up to the idea of leading the unit.

“In the spring I wasn’t that comfortable with it,” James said Monday. “But, these three practices (in fall camp), the coaches have been helping me out a lot and I’ve been more comfortable doing it.”

Keegan Pope can be reached at kpope@collegian.com.

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Friday, September 4, 2015 • Page 13

Kivon Cartwright raring to go after sitting out last season with injury “I’ve been chomping at the bit to play for so long, and through this year, I really got time to work on myself as a person and step back and really trust in my faith because that’s really the only thing I had.”

KIVON CARTWRIGHT TIGHT END

By Keegan Pope @ByKeeganPope

Kivon Cartwright will admit that 2014 was one of the hardest years of his life.

The redshirt senior tight end from Pueblo, Colorado was expecting his final season at Colorado State to be a memorable one, but the injury bug had a different idea. He sat out all of spring practice in 2014 with a foot injury that required surgery, then returned for fall camp hoping to put it behind him. During that time, Cartwright was named to the preseason All-Mountain West team, while also being named to the John Mackey Award Watch List as one of the nation’s premier tight ends.

He played in the season opener against the University of Colorado, where he caught one pass for 26 yards before the injury flared back up. As a precaution, Cartwright sat out the next three games, and after CSU’s win over Tulsa on Oct. 4, it was announced that Cartwright would miss the entire season after needing another surgery on the injured foot.

His senior season, and possibly his college football career, was over.

“The past year has definitely been a learning experience for me, as more than just a football player,” Cartwright said earlier this fall. “I’ve grown in a number of ways.”

What made sitting out even harder was not being able to be on the field to experience the success that CSU had in winning 10 games and making a second-consecutive bowl game.

Cartwright badly wanted to be on the field to help his team, but fellow tight end Steven Walker credits him with being a big piece of Walker’s individual success last season, as well as the team’s success as a whole.

“He wasn’t one of those guys who gets hurt and then you never see him again,” Walker said.

“Kivon was there at every practice and was just as excited if I scored a touchdown as if he had.

He was always amped up for the group and for the team, and he’s the ultimate team player. We’re excited to have him back and he’s getting himself healthy so he can get back out there and get after it.”

Teammates say there was never any doubt Cartwright would return, as long as he was

Colorado State tight end Kivon Cartwright catches a pass during last season’s game against Colorado. After receiving a medical redshirt, Cartwright will play his sixth and final season at CSU beginning Saturday against Savannah State. PHOTO BY AUSTIN SIMPSON COLLEGIAN

granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. That news finally came in early February, when an emotional Cartwright received the medical hardship waiver from the NCAA to be eligible for his sixth season.

“It’s definitely tested my patience,” Cartwright said of the last year and a half dealing with the injury. “I’ve been chomping at the bit to play for so long, and through this year, I really got time to work on myself as a person and step back and really trust in my faith because that’s really the only thing I had. But, it’s given me a chance to step back and think, ‘Okay, it’s going to work out.’ It also gave me the chance to learn different perspectives, to learn from the coaching side and studying in the film room so I can

apply that on the field.”

Through the majority of this year’s fall camp, Cartwright was limited to individual drills with the team, but was completely held out of contact drills, including 1-on-1 drills and 7-on-7 skeleton work. Monday, Cartwright was listed as the No. 1 tight end on CSU’s Week 1 depth chart, along with being named a team captain alongside seniors Kevin Pierre-Louis, Sam Carlson and junior Eric Williams. Firstyear head coach Mike Bobo announced for the first time that Cartwright would play against Savannah State, and would finally be able to take off the red no-contact jersey he sported for the last two-plus weeks. “(When they told me), my initial reaction was just to stay

Kivon Cartwright, No. 86 Class: Redshirt Senior Hometown: Pueblo, Colorado Height: 6’4” Weight: 245 lbs. humble because I’ve heard this before because last year I played the first week also,” Cartwright said. “After it really set in and I was sitting in my room I was like, ‘Wow, I’m really healthy.’ And then I was just in tears.”

Now that he’s available to play, Cartwright will join an already loaded tight end group that features Walker, a 2014 All-Mountain West selection, as

well as returning starter Nolan Peralta and Vanderbilt transfer Mitch Parsons. CSU has also moved linebacker Danny Nwosu to the tight end spot, where he has impressed head coach Mike Bobo in the past week of practice.

CSU’s tight end depth will likely be a huge help to redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens, who was named the starter Aug. 17.

“It makes me really confident in our tight ends group, because we have guys behind him that can make plays, too,” Stevens said. “But, Kivon specifically is a big body, and he’s a smart guy. He’s a competitor so I know if I put the ball up to him, he’s going to come down with it and make a play.”

Keegan Pope can be reached at kpope@collegian.com.

14 Friday, September 4, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

collegian.com

Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins

1,750 10

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

games with 100+ receiving yards in 2014

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — 8

8 17 23

consecutive games played with 100+ receiving yards

touchdowns in 2014, 1st among nation’s receivers

Rashard Higgins is the first consensus All-American at CSU since 1995. PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN

ILLUSTRATION BY MARIAH WENZEL COLLEGIAN

Nancy Black

(09/04/15). Go full out for what you love this year. Keep positive.

Take leadership, especially after 9/13. Focus on shared finances after 9/27.

receiving yards in 2014, 1st in the nation

career touchdowns, a CSU record

Daily Horoscope

2015 Maxwell Award preseason watch list 2015 Walter Camp Award preseason watch list 2015 Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list 2015 Preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year 2014 Biletnikoff Award finalist Consensus first-team All-American in 2014 — third Ram in history, first since 1995 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s 2014 Male College Athlete of the Year One of 17 Players to Watch in 2015 by the Touchdown Club of Columbus One of five returning final candidates for 2014 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award

— You’re entering a good phase for studying. It’s easier to concentrate today and tomorrow, especially behind closed doors.

Learn about money. It pays to recycle and conserve.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — 8 — You can make extra cash today and tomorrow. Business interferes with your fun. You have obligations to your public.

Practical demands control the outcome.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — 9 — Get innovative, and take advantages of renewed confidence and energy over the next two days.

It could get intense. Investing in your home works. Make household repairs.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — 6 — Listen and learn. Finish your work in private today and tomorrow. Regarding taking on risks or expense, slow down and consider options. Get expert assistance.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — 7 — Wait on a household decision. A change in circumstances could alter your direction. Your team comes through for you today and tomorrow. Stand up to your own fears, for what you know is right.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — 8 — Consider new professional opportunities for the next few days. Anticipate changes, and re-arrange responsibilities.

Postpone meetings or big decisions. Take time out for fun.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — 8 — Travel fantasies animate you over the next few days. Plan a relaxing getaway. New circumstances affect your decisions.

Favor spending on fascinating experiences over toys.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — 7 — Weigh your options. Refine the budget over the next few days. Avoid impulsive spending.

Don’t lose what you’ve got hoping for more.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — 7 — Be receptive when your partner wants to talk.

Compromise is required today and tomorrow. Collaborate to complete a tricky job.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — 7 — You can’t please everyone all the time. There’s plenty of work over the next few days, requiring finesse with dueling opinions. A power shift could scramble plans.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — 9 — Spend time with family and friends, and have fun today and tomorrow. Love is the priority.

It feeds your spirit. Indulge in passions, sports and games. Take time for romance, and to do what another likes.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — 8 — Perfect your environment.

Make your home more comfortable today and tomorrow. A little fixing up is required. fself-interest. Bribery can work.

collegian.com

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Across 1 Big name in arcades 5 Show pride 9 Speck 13 A or B, in preparations 14 Hard to watch 15 Baseball commissioner emeritus Bud 17 Affectionate moniker for a holy river?

19 Entry mechanism 20 Less prosaic 21 Canceled (out) 23 __-Picone: women’s fashion label 24 Have regrets 27 High court delivery 29 Storm dir.

30 Job application ID 31 Duffer’s nineteenth-hole litany?

34 Eponymous physicist James 36 Star __: Asian spice 37 Where some climbers take smoking breaks?

42 “What’s in __?”

43 Town in a 1945 Pulitzer-winning novel 44 Highlights of the hippo ballet in “Fantasia”?

47 WWII female 50 “You’re the __ That I Want”: “Grease” song 51 Nursery purchase 52 1960s educational experiment 55 Spirit 57 22-Down sound 59 Vital vessel 60 Amazon transaction, e.g.

62 Milliseconds?

65 Port array 66 “Amarantine” musician 67 Kick back 68 With 6-Down, savings 69 It contains diamonds 70 Deco designer Down 1 “SNL” staples 2 Loses, in a way 3 Plant manager’s domain?

4 Clarence Odbody, in a Capra classic 5 Cookout item 6 See 68-Across 7 Author Haley 8 Whitman’s “Song of __” 9 Braying beast 10 Cabeza, across the Pyrenees 11 Tapenade discard

RAMMIES LUKE MEACHAM

BREWSTER ROCKIT TIM TICKARD

The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday September 4, 2015

12 Lombardy dialect 16 Points of origin 18 NYSE trader 22 It may be a toy 25 Fluish symptoms 26 Doofus 28 Procter & Gamble brand 32 Sic on 33 Fascinated by 34 Entrance support 35 “Watch how wonder unfolds” snacks 37 Said “Pretty please” to, say 38 Harmoniously 39 Determined countenance 40 Fall setting 41 Foundation 45 Exultation 46 Found the right words for, maybe 47 More affable 48 Swear 49 Unsullied 53 Angkor __: Cambodian temple 54 Wavy pattern 56 Organization name selected over “Buffalos” in a close 1868 vote 58 Yearn 61 63-Down hrs.

63 Tumblr HQ site 64 Jaw Yesterday’s solution

SUDOKU

Yesterday’s solution

15

www.Wendys.com

3710 S College Ave (970) 223-4399

719 S Lemay Ave (970) 493-3041

1405 W Elizabeth St (970) 484-7131

Proud supporter of the CSU Rams for 35 years!

GOOD LUCK RAMS!

16 Friday, September 4, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian collegian.com