Special Senior Night Football Edition Friday, November 13, 2015 Volume 124, No. 64• collegian.com
Senior Send-Off
PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
Page 11: Colorado State’s seniors remember their favorite games at Hughes Stadium Unknown soldiers
End of the road
Staff Picks
PAGE 13
PAGE 19
PAGE 2
Along with their well-known teammates, CSU’s walk-on seniors will be celebrated Saturday
Kivon Cartwright gears up for last game as a Ram after missing two seasons
Collegian sports desk predicts the CSU vs. UNLV game
Go Rams! BEAT the unlv rebels!
S
2
SPORTS Friday, November 13, 2015
Collegian football staff picks The Collegian sports desk gives their thoughts on the Senior night matchup with UNLV.
Keegan Pope Football Reporter
Score: 31-14 Colorado State Emmett McCarthy Sports Editor
Score: 27- 17 Colorado State Prediction: Simply put, CSU is not going to lose at home on senior night. Two weeks ago, the Rams were trading punches with San Diego State for an entire half. They’re battle-tested enough to knock UNLV down and out, as long as they don’t know themselves out first. CSU has shot itself in the foot time and time again, and still be in it ‘till the very end in multiple losses. The Rebels won’t be able to take advantage – they aren’t a Minnesota, or anSDSU, etc. The Rams should win a tough game at home in comfortable fashion.
Prediction: Five years have passed since Trent Matthews, Sam Carlson and Company came to CSU’s campus. In that span, they’ve seen three different head coaches, two losing seasons and two winning ones. What a journey it’s been. As for Saturday, expect to see CSU’s defense dominate early and often against an overmatched UNLV team. The Rams are feeling good coming off of a 26-7 blowout win over Wyoming, and you can guarantee there will be a lot of emotions as CSU says goodbye to 26 seniors. The Rebels have been susceptible to the big play, so don’t be surprised to see Nick Stevens and Rashard Higgins test the Rebels’ defense down the field. CSU is now two wins away from bowl eligibility, and they should pick up one of those Saturday.
Brett Kennedy CTV Sports Anchor
Score: 34-24 Colorado State Prediction: CSU is licking its chops at the opportunity of getting into a thirdstraight bowl game and it gets one step closer Saturday. I don’t see a 3-6 UNLV team posing a huge threat to these Rams, especially on senior night. The upperclassman will be jacked up to play in this game especially Trent Matthews and Kevin Pierre-Louis who I expect are going to knock the living crud out of some people. Defensive ends Joe Kawulok and Martavious Foster are seniors as well, and with it being senior night, their intensity might bring a rise in the QB sack total for the Rams defense in this game. Students better show up to this game because coach Mike Bobo is buying everyone pizza! Free food!
Justin Michael Sports Reporter
Score: 30-13 Colorado State
Prediction: This senior class has been a part of the reformation of CSU football and I can honestly say I will miss watching them play. Saturday night we’re all invited to a pizza party at Hughes to send them off properly. UNLV comes into the game needing to win out for bowl eligibility, so expect the running rebels to put up a fight, but CSU is the superior team, like they were against Wyoming, and like they should be against the rest of their opponents on the schedule. Expect CSU to handle UNLV rather easily in what will be 26 player’s last game at Hughes. Bold prediction for the game: Rashard Higgins has a breakout game for the season, brings in 10 catches and three touchdowns. Collegian Sports Desk can be reached at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @RMCollegianSpts.
collegian.com
The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, November 13, 2015
3
S
4
SPORTS Friday, November 12, 2015
Colorado State
10
24 25
93 99 97 19 76 61 77 54 71 86 7 1
20
2
43
50
4 0 4500
40
X
40
40 20
5 83
16 12 31 33 93 9 68 90 76 60 58 77 63 46
10
39 5 28
30
30
26
G
G
13 84
20
20 30
21 82
56
10
10
55
G
42
30
G
2
State
Colorado
S
sports Friday, November 12, 2015
When the Rams are on defense... Colorado State
UNLV
9 - Martavius Foster, LDE, 6-4, 270, Senior
5 - Blake Decker, QB, 6-2, 215, Senior
68 - Justin Hansen, DT, 6-5, 305, Senior
28- Keith Whitely, RB, 5-9, 195, Junior
93 - Terry Jackson, DT, 6-1, 295, Senior
39- George Naufahu, FB, 6-1, 215, Senior
90 - Joe Kawulok, RDE, 6-6, 250, Senior
84 - Kendal Keys, WR, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
31 - Cory James, SLB, 6-0, 245, Senior
83 - Devonte Boyd, WR, 6-1, 175, Sophomore
12 - Deonte Clyburn, MLB, 6-1, 230, Junior
46 - Jake Phillips, TE, 6-6, 250, Senior
33 - Kevin Davis, WLB, 6-3, 240, Junior
63 - J’Ondray Sanders, RT, 6-5, 260, Sophomore
13 - DeAndre Elliott, LCB, 6-1, 185, Senior
77 - Nick Gstrein, RG, 6-4, 310 Senior
16 - Trent Matthews, SS, 6-3, 210, Senior
58 - Will Kreitler, C, 6-1, 290, Junior
26 - Kevin Pierre-Louis, FS, 6-1, 215, Senior
60 - Eric Noone, LG, 6-2, 295, Senior
5 - Tyree Simmons, RCB, 5-11, 185, Junior
76 - Kyle Saxelid, LT, 6-7- 270, Sophomore
When the Rams are on offense... Colorado State
UNLV
7 - Nick Stevens, QB, 6-3, 205, Sophomore
19 - Mark Finau, DE, 6-3, 230, Sophomore
1 - Dalyn Dawkins, RB, 5-9, 175, Sophomore
97 - Dominic Baldwin, DT, 6-5, 265, Junior
82 - Rashard Higgins, WR, 6-2, 190, Junior
99 - Mike Hughes Jr., DT, 6-2, 310, Sophomore
25 - Joe Hansley, WR, 5-10, 180, Senior
93 - Sonny Sanitoa, DE, 6-3, 270, Junior
2 - Deionte Gaines, WR, 5-8, 180, Sophomore
43 - Najee Johnson, LB, 6-4, 220, Senior
86 - Kivon Cartwright, TE, 6-4, 245, Senior
56 - Ryan McAleenan, LB, 6-2, 220, Junior
71 - Sam Carlson, RT, 6-4, 295, Senior
55 - Tau Lotulelei, LB, 6-1, 230, Junior
54 - Fred Zerblis, RG, 6-3, 295, Junior
24 - Fred Wilson, CB, 6-1, 180, Senior
77 - Jake Bennett, C, 6-3, 295, Sophomore
42 - Peni Vea, SS, 6-1, 205, Senior
61 - Zack Golditch, LG, 6-6, 290, Sophomore
2 - Blake Richmond, FS, 6-3, 205, Senior
76 - Nick Callender, LT, 6-6. 315, Junior
21 - Darius Mouton, CB, 5-10, 165, Freshman KEEGAN POPE COLLEGIAN
S
6
SPORTS Friday, November 13, 2015
The Border War: Photo Recap
CSU quarterback Nick Stevens calls out a play at the line in the Border War against Wyoming. PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
CSU receiver Xavier Williams dives forward after a catch against Wyoming. PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
CSU senior Joe Hansley and junior Rashard Higgins share a moment during the Rams’ 26-7 win in the Border War. PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
collegian.com
The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, November 13, 2015
7
8 Friday, November 13, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian
collegian.com
S
9
SPORTS “If (the Rams) get an edge at home, they need to keep piling on and never look back.”
CSU vs. UNLV final home game preview By Emmett McCarthy @EMcCarthy22
Colorado State can take another step toward being bowl eligible, and also send its seniors off with a win, Saturday in the final home game of the season at Hughes Stadium. In the Rams’ way is UNLV, led by first-year head coach Tony Sanchez. The Runnin’ Rebels entered the season with low expectations and their record hasn’t given us reason to think otherwise. But a closer look at the games reveals an inspired team that has played up to opponents’ levels on several occasions. UNLV isn’t exactly taking the conference by storm, but
neither is CSU. The Rams’ task this week is a slight step up from last week’s Border War win against Wyoming. Here’s what CSU can do to win on senior night:
Balance the offense
The Rams have been run heavy as of late, and who can blame them? It’s been working well, even last week when the train, better known as Jasen Oden Jr., was out with an arm injury. Dalyn Dawkins seized the opportunity, running for 140 yards, and Izzy Matthews did his part as well, with two rushing touchdowns. CSU has three talented backs who all provide different skill sets. And, UNLV knows it. The Rebels will load the box, so now it’s
PINK OUT
WHITE OUT
ORANGE OUT
GREEN OUT Get your game day gear HERE. www.bookstore.colostate.edu Mon. - Fri.: 7:45am 5:30pm • Sat.: 10:00am - 5:00pm
172 N. College • In the Northern Hotel 970-492-4977
time for the Rams to get back to passing. The receiving corp was supposed to be CSU’s greatest strength this season. This week would be a good time to remind folks that one of the best receivers in the nation, Rashard Higgins, still dons the green and gold.
Make them quit
Mike Bobo took his foot off of the pedal a bit last week against Wyoming after taking a commanding lead in the first half. That was fine against a weaker team like the Pokes, especially when Bobo had already said that the goal was to eliminate turnovers at all costs. But, UNLV is not the same pushover that Wyoming was. The Rams have led in eight of nine games this season.
If they get an edge at home, they need to keep piling on and never look back.
Emmett McCarthy can be reached by email at sports@ collegian.com.
Avoid the flags
The Rams are one of the most penalized teams in the nation. CSU averaged 80.4 penalty yards per game, which is more than 121 FBS schools (out of 128). Even in the win against Wyoming, the team managed to rack up 10 penalties for 101 yards. Flags brought back a 75-yard touchdown run by Deionte Gaines, as well as a 47-yard punt return by Joe Hansley. CSU got the turnover issue corrected last week; next up is the flags. The Rams should be the better team, so the key is not beating themselves again.
CSU vs. UNLV Where: Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins When: 5p.m., Saturday On TV: Root Sports Network Last home game of the season Senior Night
Friday, November 13, 2015 Volume 124, No. 64 • collegian.com
PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
Collectible Poster 9 of 9 Colorado State vs. UNLV
| 86 | Kivon Cartwright | TE | Senior |
collegian.com
The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, November 13, 2015
11
S
12
S
SPORTS
SPORTS
Friday, November 13, 2015
Friday, November 13, 2015
Graduating Seniors Cole Anderson Wide Receiver
Sam Carlson Offensive Lineman
Kivon Cartwright Tight End
Celebrate all of Colorado State’s seniors Saturday Keegan Pope
Jose Cerriteno Defensive End
@ByKeeganPope
Y
DeAndre Elliott Cornerback
Joe Hansley Wide Receiver
Joe Kawulok Defensive Lineman
Nu’uvali Fa’apito Fullback
Terry Jackson Defensive Lineman
Craig Leonard Quarterback
SteveO Michel Linebacker
Kevin O’Brien Offensive Lineman
Willie Udofia Safety
Steven Walker Tight End
13
Martavius Foster Defensive Lineman
Cory James Linebacker
Trent Matthews Safety
Jasen Oden Jr. Running Back
Justin Hansen Defensive Lineman
Nick Januska Safety
George Maumau Fullback
Kevin Pierre-Louis Safety
ou likely wouldn’t recognize Jose Cerriteno if you saw him on Colorado State’s campus. He’s a big man, but built more like a linebacker than a defensive end. Hell, I didn’t even know what he looked like before talking to him after Colorado State’s practice Tuesday afternoon. He offered me a smile and a strong handshake, and even complimented me on how cool it was that I worked at the student newspaper. I know, right? Two weeks ago, a player wearing Cerriteno’s No. 97 made a tackle for loss in the Rams’ blowout defeat at the hands of San Diego State. Over the stadium PA and in the press box, the tackle was given to Cerriteno. It would have been his first career tackle at Colorado State in nearly two seasons on the team. When I asked him about what his emotions were like after making the tackles, Cerriteno sheepishly smiled and apologized in advance for what he was about to tell me, worrying that he was about to ruin my story. When in fact, what he said next made it. Somewhat embarrassed, Cerriteno went on to tell me that he couldn’t take credit for that tackle, because fellow senior defensive lineman Terry Jackson had also been wearing No. 97 that day, and it was he who had been in the game and stopped an Aztecs’ ball carrier in the backfield. Cerriteno admitted that people he knew who were watching the game congratulated him on the tackle, and he had to break the news to them after the game that it wasn’t actually him. He could’ve taken the credit, but he didn’t. And he wouldn’t. BEHIND THE SCENES To most, they are faceless,
Not Pictured: Jordan Finley, Jesse Haas, Blake Jones, Davon Riddick
and even nameless. There are thousands of them on college football teams all across America. They’re looked upon by outsiders as tackling dummies, punching bags and space-fillers. Just another uniform on the sideline. They don’t receive a scholarship, or a monthly stipend, and more often than not, they don’t get to travel along with the rest of the team for road games. They don’t play because someone asked them to, they play because they wanted to. To be a part of a team. To hold onto their final days as an athlete before the real world sets in. To just keep playing.
They’re the walk-ons, the scout-teamers, the guys who came out of high school hoping to make a name for themselves, just like everyone else. They won’t play Sundays. Most of them don’t even get to see the field on Saturdays. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are their game days. They often don different-colored jerseys, and instead of spending their time learning their team’s playbook, most of their time is spent pretending to be someone else. One week, that might be Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner. Another, they are San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey. They’ll even spend time trying to be Air
Force triple-option quarterback Karsen Roberts. They’re “actors” as CSU starting tackle Sam Carlson says. And, their performance is a crucial part to their team’s game plan each week. Without them, what you see on Saturday wouldn’t be possible. They’re the walk-ons, the scout-teamers, the guys who came out of high school hoping to make a name for themselves, just like everyone else. You probably don’t know their names, or their faces, but their teammates and coaches know exactly who they are. “They play a huge part in our preparation for each team,” Carlson said. “They’re the guys who have to play and be a certain actor every week. This week, guys on defense have to be UNLV’s giant nose guard. Somebody has to play a different person each week. They are guys who aren’t going to show up on the stat sheet, but they come out and they work their butts off every day. We couldn’t be more thankful to have those guys on the team – guys that genuinely care about the welfare of CSU football.” TEAMMATES AGAIN Growing up in Wellington, Colorado, Carlson and Jesse Haas were teammates at Wellington Middle School, before moving on together to Poudre High School. While Carlson played on the varsity team from the start of his sophomore season, Haas had to wait two more years to get a starting role on Poudre’s varsity team as a kick returner and wide receiver. Carlson signed on scholarship with CSU out of high school in 2011, while Haas didn’t join the team until spring practice in 2014. These two friends took two completely different paths to the Colorado State football team. For Haas, there were other opportunities. He could’ve tried to play at the Division II, Division III or NAIA levels, and likely would have seen significant playing time. But, his dream ever since he was a kid, was to don the green and gold and stand
on the sideline at Hughes Stadium. And, he would be damned if he didn’t make that dream come true. “This is my hometown team,” Haas said. “I grew up here and I’ve lived here my whole life. I’ve been going to games at Hughes since I was four-years-old and after watching all those guys before me play, when I had the chance, I said yes. No matter what I had to do, I was going to play here. Coming out of high school, I wanted to play football really bad, but once I got here, even if I wasn’t going to play a single snap, I wanted to be at CSU.” THIS IS MY HOME Across the City of Fort Collins, Craig Leonard Jr. was shredding defenses in Fossil Ridge High School’s potent passing offense in 2010. But, after leading the state in passing during his senior year, all Colorado State had to offer him was a preferred walk-on spot. A kind gesture, but not what Leonard was looking for. So, he picked up and moved across the country to Monroe, North Carolina, where he starred at Jireh Prep School. In December 2011, then-CSU head coach Steve Fairchild offered Leonard a scholarship, and he signed with CSU that fall. A dream come true. His time at CSU wasn’t exactly what he envisioned, though. After redshirting during his freshman season in 2012, Leonard took a grand total of two snaps during the next two years while he sat behind one of the greatest passers in CSU history, Garrett Grayson. Like Haas, Leonard could’ve left CSU and found a new home. But, there was only one home, and that was Fort Collins. “I’ve been around here my whole life, and I watched my first game when I was eight-years-old,” Leonard said. “Bradlee Van Pelt gave me a Nike sweatband when I was young, and I still have that to this day. There’s no other place for me. This is where I wanted to be. This place was either going to sink or swim, and I think we’ve
been swimming pretty well the past couple years. It’s been an awesome ride and it didn’t matter if I played a down here, this is where I was going to start and end.” A BITTERSWEET END Haas and Leonard, along with Cerriteno, and a handful of others, will be honored alongside their teammates during Saturday’s Senior Day festivities at Hughes Stadium. Most will have their names called over the loudspeakers for the first time in their career, while others will leave to an applause they’ve heard every time their name has been called over the past four -to-six years. Cerriteno will stand sideby-side with his roommate and one of his best friends, tight end Steven Walker. Both are in their second year with the CSU program after transferring from separate junior colleges, and like Carlson and Haas, they’ve had much different careers at CSU. Despite their differences on the stat sheet, both Walker and Cerriteno are proud to leave the Colorado State program together, as brothers. “It’s unfortunate that these guys don’t get the recognition we do, and I wish there was an opportunity for those guys to get more playing time,” Walker said. “Jose is one of my best friends, and he hasn’t gotten a chance to play and show his ability. But, he makes me better at practice every single day. One of the biggest effort guys you will ever meet. Anywhere they put him, he’s going to give the maximum effort he has. There’s a ton of guys that make our wins possible that put in the work in practice to help us prepare each week. If I could give some of what I have to these guys, I would do it in a second, because these are my brothers, and they deserve it as much as anybody. I have the ultimate respect for them. They don’t get the glory; they don’t get a scholarship. They just love football and they love this team.” Keegan Pope can be reached at kpope@collegian. com.
14 Friday, November 13, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian
collegian.com
S
15
SPORTS Friday, November 13, 2015
Seniors ready to take Sonny Lubick Field one final time By Geoff Huebner @HuebnerMedia93
Saturday’s game at Hughes Stadium will be the last time 26 seniors at Colorado State (4-5, 2-3 Mountain West) will represent the green and gold in front of their home fans. Those seniors, along with the rest of the team, are hungry for their opportunity to put on a show against UNLV (3-6, 2-3 MW). Head coach Mike Bobo, being a former quarterback at Georgia and a man who has been involved with football most of his life, knows what it is like to play in a senior game, as well as the difficulties that come along with it. “It’s a tough day,” Bobo said. “I always worried when I was an assistant about senior day because it’s a long, drawn out process before the game and your mind sometimes is not in the game. Their families are here and I want their families to be here and to be able to experience
that moment, but I keep encouraging these guys to take care of stuff on the front end.” He will not need to tell his players that twice, either. Coming out of Hughes for the final time with a win would mean everything to this group of seniors. “I just don’t want to lose in my last game at Hughes, that’s really all it is,” senior wide receiver Joe Hansley said. “There’s a lot of implications on this game, as far as bowl games this year, but just from a senior stand point, I don’t want to have the memory of losing the last game at Hughes.” Hansley also commented on what his coach has done to prepare him for his final home game. “He just talked about how it is going to be your last game at Hughes and how special it is going to be and how cool it is, but at the same time you don’t want to walk off the field as a loser your last game,” Hansley said. “He just basically told us to enjoy it and have it be a happy moment but at the same time
“It hasn’t hit me yet, honestly, but I’m sure once I walk through the tunnel, I will kind of reflect on how many coaches I’ve been through, players that I’ve played with that are not here or that are here with me and I’m sure it will hit me at that time.” STEVEO MICHEL SENIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
prepare like you’re going to win a game.” Aside from adding a memory of another victory, many players also have family coming to watch from out of state, adding to the importance of the game. “It’s actually my mom’s first time seeing me play football since little league,” senior safety Kevin Pierre-Louis said. “My mom and dad travel, so it’s going to be very emotional for me, man, knowing that my mom is out there watching me for the first time and knowing that it’s
my last time playing at Hughes Stadium.” For some of the seniors, the fact that it is almost over has not quite sunk it. “It hasn’t hit me yet, honestly, but I’m sure once I walk through the tunnel, I will kind of reflect on how many coaches I’ve been through, players that I’ve played with that are not here or that are here with me and I’m sure it will hit me at that time,” senior defensive lineman SteveO Michel said. One thing that all of the players seem to have in common
though, is that the one thing they will all miss the most is the camaraderie and friendships within the team. The players will miss the ‘locker room’, as they put it. “We talk about that a lot – what we will miss the most – and we always bring up the locker room,” Michel said. “The people that you create a bond with for four years, … we always talk about how we enjoy the locker room and we will miss those moments.” Most of the seniors have been around long enough to experience a 4-8 season and multiple head coaches, and have stood by each others’ side the entire time. “We want to see each other’s families and stuff, see what kind of path each of us takes and I think we will be here for each other, it will be sad but that is the route we’ve got to go,” Michel said. “We will be in touch.” Geoff Huebner can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
Read the Collegian & win! More winners each week!
The first three people to come to the Collegian office and identify themselves in these pictures win lunch on us!
16 Friday, November 13, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian
collegian.com
S
17
SPORTS Friday, November 13, 2015
“There are career goals I want to get working towards. I mean, I’ve had an unbelievable four years at CSU and bittersweet is a really good word for it. I’m happy that this is happening now, rather than at the beginning of my career and kind of fizzling out” CRAIG LEONARD BACKUP QUARTERBACK
Backup quarterback Craig Leonard reflects on CSU career By Emmett McCarthy @EMcCarthy22
Third-string quarterback Craig Leonard might get some action Saturday. It will be his last home game as a Ram, but that’s not why he could be in the game taking some snaps on senior night. Mike Bobo has begun incorporating some read-option packages for Leonard, his most mobile quarterback. We first saw it two weeks ago against San Diego State, then again in the Border War. “I think he had one carry last year against Hawaii but he’s a leader,” Bobo said. “Those kids respond to him in the weight room, they respond to him on the field even though he’s only signaling out there in practice and he’s got a certain quality about him
that when he’s on the field the players feel like we’re about to be successful, so we put in a little package for him and it kind of expanded a little more from week one to week two that he played.” Leonard is technically a junior on the team roster, but Saturday will still be his senior night. He has chosen to forego his final year of collegiate football eligibility next season and instead focus on graduating in the spring. Leonard answered questions from the media Monday about his career at CSU. Q: What’s it been like having a role carved out for you in this offense? CL: “It’s been a blast honestly. It’s been a ton of fun. Last year, I got in for a play against Hawaii and got nine yards. I’ve been jok-
ing with the guys about how I’ve been averaging nine yards-per carry for a year now. Once you get in, it’s kind of addicting. You really want to get back in. Get on the field and have some positive plays. You want to do everything you can to get back on the field. So, to have the opportunity has been awesome. To contribute towards wins has been fun. Winning is number one obviously, so if I can do anything to help the team win, that’s what I want to do.” Q: Did you have to lobby for the roll at all? CL: “I asked. You know, everybody makes comments here and there. I know some of the O-line put in a good word for me. I kind of, I didn’t want to, you know beg for it or anything. I just kind of kept my head down and
worked hard, and I think coach decided it’d be time to give me a shot. Hopefully I’ve done enough to keep it in for the rest of the season.” Q: How bittersweet will this game be? CL: “Yeah, bittersweet is a good word for it. I’ve got a lot of stuff going on in my life. I’m getting married in June. I want to start my career. There are career goals I want to get working towards. I mean I’ve had an unbelievable four years at CSU and bittersweet is a really good word for it. I’m happy that this is happening now, rather than at the beginning of my career and kind of fizzling out. If there was a time that I’d want this to happen, it would definitely be now. So, it’s been fun, that’s for sure.”
Q: Why didn’t you ever transfer to a school where you wouldn’t have had to compete with a Garrett Grayson? CL: “You guys heard me say it before. I’ve been a Ram my whole life. I watched my first game when I was 8-yearsold. Bradlee Van Pelt gave me a Nike sweatband when I was young, and I still have it to this day. There’s no other place for me. This is where I wanted to be, ya know this place is either going to sink or swim. I think we’ve been swimming pretty well the last couple years and it’s been an awesome ride. It didn’t matter if I played a down here, this was where my career was going to start and end.” Emmett McCarthy can be reached by e-mail at sports@ collegian.com.
S
18
SPORTS Friday, November 13, 2015
CSU vs. Northern Iowa basketball preview By Emmett McCarthy @emccarthy22
This year’s season opener will be nothing like last for Colorado State. With all due respect to Montana, the Rams were never supposed to struggle in the 2014 opener. This season is different. They are on the road against a team that won 34 games and did something CSU failed to do – reach the tournament. Once there, UNI blew out Wyoming, the team that won the Mountain West tournament, and the only team CSU couldn’t beat in the regular season. Both teams look completely different this year, but that doesn’t change the point: CSU won’t be favored. The Rams are expected to start the year on the wrong side of the winloss column. That said, this isn’t quite like when an un-
dermanned CSU team took on stacked No. 15 Gonzaga early in the season two years ago. Both CSU and UNI should have a similar identity to last year, but this game will also feature some new faces, and some notable players adjusting to different roles. Here’s what needs to happen for the Rams to pull off a tough win on the road Saturday: CONTAIN SHOOTERS UNI has made a killing off of the three ball. The Rams were known as a high volume 3-point shooting team, but UNI actually drained more threes than CSU, despite 54 fewer attempts. Larry Eustachy’s CSU teams have always been committed to going under screens. Two of the most glaring examples came two seasons ago: a narrow win over Regis University in an exhibition game and an embarrassing loss on the road at No.
15 Gonzaga. It happened again last year in the NIT when a deflated Rams teams was upset by a hot shooting South Dakota
Both CSU and UNI should have a similar identity to last year, but this game will also feature some new faces, and some notable players adjusting to different roles.
State. The Panthers might not have Seth Tuttle anymore, but still, they have capable shooters on the perimeter, particularly Matt Bohannon. PLAY LIKE SENIORS There is plenty of experience on the CSU roster – all five seniors figure to be key rotation players. But, all that experience came at CSU, though. Joe De Ciman is the only senior who has played his entire career at as a Ram. De Ciman and Tiel Daniels are also the only returning starters. Gian Clavell and John Gillon were both even better than expected in their first CSU seasons but will be cast into larger roles this year. They should both adjust fine over time but this team needs to gel immediately in order to beat a wellcoached, disciplined team like UNI. The Rams needed an entire half to figure things out against a Division II school in
CSU-Pueblo, and that was fine, but there won’t be much room for error this week.
BIGGER AND BADDER All due respect to UNI’s Wes Washpun, but Emmanuel Omogbo might be the best player on either team. After transferring from junior college, who knows how quickly he will adjust to the Division I level. But on paper, he should be a nightmare for the Panthers. Between him and Daniels, the Rams should have big edge in physicality on the front line. Omogbo’s game will make him a tough guard, and though Daniels isn’t known as a scorer, he knows how to take advantage of a mismatch. Whether they are playing together or if CSU has to go small, the pair could be the strongest players on the court. Emmett McCarthy can be reached by e-mail at sports@ collegian.com.
S
19
SPORTS Friday, November 13, 2015
Cartwright’s last home stand By Geoff Huebner @Huebnermedia93
A 6-foot-4 inch, 245-pound multi-faceted tight end is a great asset to have for a football team, but Colorado State tight end Kivon Cartwright’s value is not limited to on-field attributes. The fifth-year senior out of Pueblo, Colorado, truly represents what it means to be a man and would be a great addition to any football program or community — on or off the field. Though Cartwright’s value is not limited to the football field, his abilities on the field should not be overlooked or understated. To start, he presents a big target for his quarterback in the passing game; quarterback Nick Stevens would be the first to tell you that. “He’s also a huge target, got a big wingspan, he can go up and get a ball if it’s not a perfect ball or if you put it up for him,” Stevens said earlier this season when asked about how Cartwright impacts opposing defenses.
“It was a very emotional time… just to be able to be a part of this program for another year and be with my brothers in the locker room for another year was huge for me.” KIVON CARTWRIGHT TIGHT END
Cartwright should not be labeled as a pass-catching tight end only, though. When called on to block, he is willing to get physical and play hard-nosed football to keep the offense rolling. “My focus is being a complete tight end,” Cartwright said. “Not just a receiving
tight end or a blocking tight end, I want to be a complete guy. Every play call is different and what it boils down to is just winning your one-on-one matchups.” Cartwright’s goal of becoming the best complete tight end he can be began at Pueblo South High School, where as a three-sport athlete he discovered that football was the game he truly loved to play. “My first love was basketball until I stopped growing and got a little thicker, so football it was,” Cartwright said. “My head coach pulled me aside and he knew I loved basketball, but he told me football pretty much was my ticket so then I really started to focus on football from there.” “After I played my first varsity football game, I was hooked and I knew then that I wanted to play Division I college football,” Cartwright said. That led Cartwright to Colorado State, where he has become a valuable player on the field. The tight end has 72 receptions for 1,098 yards and 10 touchdowns. But, the example he sets with his leadership and the strength he displays in the face of adversity is what makes him invaluable as a leader off the field. After registering just one catch for 22 yards in 2014 due to injury, Cartwright was unsure if he would ever be able to play again because of injuries and NCAA eligibility rules. It was in February of this year that Cartwright received the news he was granted an extension of eligibility to compete in the 2015 season, and would be able to return to the team he loves – and that loves him back. “I found out an hour before everybody else so that video, it was all real because I got a call to go to Coach Bobo’s office and they told me to keep it quiet for an hour,” Cartwright said. “It was a very emotional time… just to be able to be a part of this program for another year and be with my brothers in the locker room for another year was huge for me.” It was equally important to his teammates, as well. Not only did they get back another offensive weapon, they returned a player with immeasurable value as a leader. see CARTWRIGHT on page 21 >>
CSU tight end Kivon Cartwright celebrates a touchdown catch in his first game back this season after missing 2014 with an injury. PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
S
20
SPORTS Friday, November 13, 2015
Seniors reflect on their favorite moments at Hughes Stadium
CSU senior Cory James (left) rushes Utah State during a Rams win in 2014. PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN
By Keegan Pope @ByKeeganPope
Prior to Colorado State’s game against Utah State on Oct. 18, 2014, the Rams hadn’t seen
Hughes Stadium sell out in more than a decade. Since then, the Rams have sold out four games, including their 16-13 win over the Aggies that night. There have
been a number of memorable games at Hughes over the past five years, with most coming over the past two-plus years when the team has had a measure of recent success. But for CSU’s seniors, nothing tops celebrating on the field with fans after Jared Roberts’ 46-yard field goal split the uprights and moved CSU to 6-1 on the season. In a defensive battle riddled with penalties, CSU found just enough offense in the final minutes to set up Roberts’ game winner. The Rams took over from their own 12-yard line with 58 seconds left and after an 11-yard first down run by junior running back Dee Hart, the Rams went into their “Mayday” hurry-up offense. “It’s a planned deal we work every week where once we get
it up over the 30 we feel like we have got a chance to maybe take a shot,” CSU head coach Jim McElwain said after the game. Following Hart’s run, senior quarterback Garrett Grayson hit Rashard Higgins on a post route for 46 yards to set the Rams up at the Utah State 22-yard line. Grayson kneeled the ball between the hashes at the 24-yard line. Utah State took two consecutive timeouts in an attempt to ice the senior kicker, but it was to no avail as Roberts calmly knocked it through the uprights to give the Rams their fifth-consecutive win. “You are always nervous, especially in a game of this magnitude,” Roberts said of the kick. “But knowing that its just sitting there with one kick to keep this climb going, you just want to hit it for your teammates, for the University, for the fans and everyone else involved.” The game will go down as one of the greats in Colorado State history. For many of CSU’s seniors, it was the highlight, and one of the defining moments of their career in Fort Collins. Here’s what they had to say about it: Offensive tackle Sam Carlson “Utah State last year, definitely was my favorite game. Just kind of the way the game went, and the way we won it. We obviously didn’t play very well up front, but kind of the track of the game made it special, and the sellout crowd was obviously huge. Just the whole atmosphere of that game was something unreal that we always envisioned having at Hughes. My first year, we were 3-9 and
we had 10,000 people there on Saturdays. Now we’ve got 32,500 people and that’s always what we wanted.
Walk-on running back Jesse Haas “Utah State last year, for sure. I didn’t even get to play, but that atmosphere, and being able to be on the field was just awesome.”
Wide receiver Joe Hansley “Last year against Utah State, when ‘Wood’ (Rashard Higgins) caught that bomb and we went on to beat them. That was definitely the highlight of Hughes for me.”
Walk-on defensive end Jose Cerriteno “I feel like Utah State is right up there. That was just amazing how we were able to pull that win out.”
Tight end Steven Walker “I was in on the play, but I didn’t make the play. When we beat Utah State, I was blocking and I look back at Garrett (Grayson), and he’s just launching it. Then I look up and Rashard catches it and we went on to win the game. At the time, I didn’t realize what we did. You take for granted when you walk into somewhere, but that moment was really special.”
Safety Kevin Pierre-Louis “Like I’ve told these guys, my favorite moment is Utah State last year. It was really emotional, and we needed that game.” Keegan Pope can be reached at kpope@collegian.com.
CLASSIFIEDS www.collegian.com 970-491-1683
CLASSIFIEDS
FOOD
www.collegian.com COLLEGIAN.COM 970-491-1683
Deadline to submit classified ads is 4pm VISIT the day prior to publication. US ONLINE AT
Help employ chickens! To place an ad call 970-491-1683 or click “Classifieds’ at Collegian.com. Eat an omelette at: THE EGG & I 2809 S. College
Deadline to submit classified ads is 4pm the day prior to publication. To place an ad call 970-491-1683 or click “Classifieds’ at Collegian.com.
collegian.com
The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, November 13, 2015
>> CARTWRIGHT from page 19 Cartwright’s attitude toward this difficult season full of ups and downs goes to show this leadership. “It’s been a big learning experience for me, having high expectations early in the season and having little set backs here and there, but I wouldn’t say it’s been frustrating at all,” Cartwright said. “I’ve been learning a lot about myself, about the game of football, about my team and it will all work out good in the end.” Senior safety Kevin Pierre-Louis may have summed up Cartwright’s leadership and importance to the team best. “We like to call him the ‘old man walking’,” Pierre-Louis said. “Old man walking. Kivon... he’s a special guy, very special guy. He took me under his wing when I got here and I still feel like I’m under his wing now.” And though the sixth-year senior may not always be the most vocal leader, leading by example has had just as profound of an effect. “He’s so mature as a person, he has his head right,” Pierre-Louis said. “I like to tease him because we are very close, I like to call him an ‘ABC’ guy, he’s not going to go from ‘A’ to ‘C’ and then to ‘B’, he’s doing it in order and that’s the type of guy he is. He likes to do it right. Kivon is a special kid.” For Cartwright, the only way to wrap up a memorable career is to focus on winning
these final games one at a time, starting Saturday with his final game as Hughes Stadium.
“Not just a receiving tight end or a blocking tight end, I want to be a complete guy. Every play call is different and what it boils down to is just winning your one-on-one matchups.” KIVON CARTWRIGHT TIGHT END
“It would be huge to leave with a win, this group of seniors came in when I was actually already in the program, but when they came in, they made it a point to be the class to change around the program and they really did,” Cartwright said. “I’m just thankful that I can be a part of that and see it all the way through.” Geoff Huebner can be reached at sports@collegian. com.
Strength Coach Kevin Steele Certified Fitness Trainer • Private Gym Degree in Sports Medicine
See details on website: www.trinityfitness.biz $25/hr • 970-226-1981 • kwsteele2@yahoo.com
2226 W. Elizabeth St. Unit a-106 Fort Collins, CO 80521
apartments Need A Place January 2016? On North Side of Elizabeth St. & Just West of taft hill across from king soopers.
Hurry... We Have Rooms & Units Available
“We care about more than just a place to live” Our hassle-free, a l l - I n c lu si ve r en ta l r at es i n c l u de : As L •F ur n i tu r e •Water and Sewer o •I n- u ni t fu ll s i z e •Friendly on-site a w $62 s maintenance & was h er & d r y er 5.0 management •G as / E lec t r i c 0!
•Catv/Internet
•plus more!
For more info: please visit our website at www.ramspark.com or contact us by email at ramspark@comcast.net or just give us a call at 970-980-4643
Location
contacLocation t u s by em ail at
Location
21
22 Friday, November 13, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian
collegian.com
Opener at Northern Iowa offers tough task for CSU, rematch for Daniels By Sam Lounsberry @samlounz
Starting the season out with a win would also come with taste of revenge for Colorado State starting big man, Tiel Daniels. When he and the Rams play Northern Iowa Saturday in their regular-season opener, it will be Daniels’ fifth game against the Panthers. Before transferring to CSU, the redshirt senior played his first two years at Southern Illinois, a part of the Missouri Valley Conference with UNI. But, Daniels’ Saluki teams didn’t fair so well against the Panthers in his four chances with them. He went 1-3 vs. UNI in his two years in the Missouri Valley. “Unfortunately, when I was at SIU we couldn’t get it done, but I think it’s a new Tiel and I’m with a new team,” Daniels said. But, the Panthers have a new team this year, too. Gone is Seth Tuttle, a consensus second-team All-American last season, following his fourth year lighting up the Missouri Valley. Tuttle led the conference in scoring and field goal percentage in 2014-15, helping UNI notch the 16th best shooting percentage in the nation en route to its school-record 34 wins. Daniels and Tuttle both received All-Freshman team honors in the Missouri Valley in 2011-12. With the departure of his four-year star, UNI coach Ben Jacobson is trying to answer some of the same questions as CSU coach Larry Eustachy, who lost his top three players from last year’s 27-win team in JJ Avila, Stanton Kidd and Daniel Bejarano.
“Unfortunately, when I was at SIU we couldn’t get it done, but I think it’s a new Tiel and I’m with a new team.” TIEL DANIELS CENTER
“They lost a lot and we lost a lot,” Daniels said. “We’re still trying to find life after we lost a lot of our scoring, defense and leadership. Two similar teams in the same position, so it’s a great measuring stick for us.” Likely to replace Tuttle in the middle for the Panthers
Daily Horoscope Nancy Black
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY
(11/13/15). Get organized for a year of teamwork and mutual gain. Consistent practice pays off. Money comes easily ... save some. Love sparks this spring, requiring a change in plans. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Tiel Daniels throws it down during a blowout win over Fresno State last season at Moby Arena. COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO COLLEGIAN
Saturday is 6-foot-9 inch sophomore Bennett Koch. But Jacobson has expressed some concern over the youth and physicality of the big men on his roster. A lack of physicality rarely characterizes any of Eustachy’s team, though, as team rebounding and defense are always his emphasis. With both teams’ offenses likely to look less than perfect in the early season, hustle points could easily determine Saturday’s winner. “Two inexperienced teams, it’s just who’s going to go out there and be more determined to win the game,” CSU guard Gian Clavell said. “Who’s going to have more toughness and get more stops, those are the guys that will get the win.” Some experience carried over from last year for UNI, though. The Panthers will likely start three seniors: Matt Bohannon (the only Panther to face Daniels remaining on UNI’s roster), last year’s Missouri Valley Sixth Man of the Year Wes Washpun and Paul Jesperson. Joining those three and Koch will likely be junior Jeremy Morgan. Eustachy voiced some fears about this Panthers squad after practice Tuesday, while also recognizing a tough opening bout will be beneficial, win or lose.
“We’re not ready for this game,” Eustachy said. “We’re as ready as we can be, but it’s a tough task.” “These games are good either way,” Eustachy added. “It’s not going to have any outcome on what kind of season we have. One game doesn’t effect the next, but we’ve been there and it’s very tough to play there. Hopefully we can go there and not let the situation break us down. I would rather play this game than a game we would win for sure.” CSU last played UNI on the road in non-conference action during the 2011-12 season, falling short on a second-half comeback effort 83-77. Later that same season, the Panthers rolled on to beat SIU when Daniels was a freshman. It wasn’t until his fourth and final try that Daniels finally managed a win over UNI. “I really want this win,” Daniels said. “It means a lot to me and it means a lot to our team.” Ram fans can see if Daniels and CSU can open the season with a win Saturday over UNI on ESPN3, and can hear the call on 105.5 FM ESPN. Tipoff is set for 10 a.m. MT. Sam Lounsberry can be reached at sports@collegian. com.
— 9 — You hear about a lucky break. Partner with a gracious person to take advantage. An older female shares a new trick. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — 8 — Find balance and harmony. Make your life more comfortable. Travel for pleasure. You’re gaining maturity as well as knowledge. Smart investments now can increase your security. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — 9 — Communications channels are wide open. Accept more responsibilities. Writing, recording and publishing thrive. Keep others on track. Create (and appreciate) works of beauty. CANCER (June 21-July 22) — 8 — Look to the future. Keep family first. Look at what needs to change. Home investments pay off. Find an excellent deal in a fixer-upper. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — 8 — Your investigation leads to unexpected benefits. The more you learn, the more confident you become. Listen to your dreams. Use what you’re discovering.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — 7 — Your connections have wisdom and experience. Reach out and let people know what you need. An older person comes up with the answer. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — 8 — Talk about what you love to grow it. Put together a good team. Read voraciously, and share your discoveries generously. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — 9 — Good things come through communicating with your social networks. Encourage feedback to see your blind spots. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21) — 9 — Friends open unseen doors. Your team is especially hot. Keep everyone in communication to harness flourishing creativity. Put physical energy into a job you care about deeply for powerful results. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — 7 — Important people are watching. New contacts increase your influence. Provide excellent work, and ask for what you need. Maintain discretion. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — 8 — Get help building your dream. The action is behind the scenes. Stick to practical moves. Friends share options. Go farther than ever before. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — 8 — Allow abundance in. Pay attention to all offers. You’re gaining skills and confidence. Creative breakthroughs spark when you mix love into your work.
collegian.com
The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, November 13, 2015
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Across 1 Set into motion 8 Golf alternative, briefly 15 Red bowlful 16 __ Itzá: Mayan ruins 17 Classic leading man who moonlighted at a pharmacy? 19 Second of 24 20 L.A. Kings’ org. 21 Management 22 Fiji’s region 25 Pulitzer-winning writer who moonlighted in a nightly news studio? 32 Saying that often goes without saying 33 Breaks down 34 One with a handbook 36 Tony winner Huffman 37 Bolshoi outfit 38 Kitchen bar 39 “I’d strike the sun if it insulted me” speaker 43 Folklore threats 44 Actor who moonlighted in a brass band? 47 Makes complementary (to) 48 “Here Come the __”: 1945
college comedy 52 Actor Stephen 53 18-Down competitor 57 English author who moonlighted at LensCrafters? 61 Enhances in the kitchen 62 “That’s my recommendation” 63 Reply to “That’s enough!” 64 Pool workers Down 1 Rhyme scheme in many sonnets 2 Bear up 3 Moderate pace 4 Open org. 5 “__ du lieber!” 6 From that place 7 Rembrandt and Picasso, at times 8 Obsolescent family room fixture 9 Justification 10 Puzzle sometimes framed 11 Hose shade 12 Southeast Asian language 13 Garden party protection 14 Garden party intruders 18 53-Across competitor 22 Resistance unit 23 Collar
RAMMIES LUKE MEACHAM
BREWSTER ROCKIT TIM RICKARD
24 A-listers 25 City SSW of Dallas 26 Praise to the heavens 27 To help, to Henri 28 Piece of toast? 29 Expenditure 30 Activity of great interest? 31 __ One: vodka brand 35 Scam 39 Proper 40 In a lather, with “up” 41 Words with take or lose 42 Fund-raiser 43 Like “fain”: Abbr. 45 Poe of the Baltimore Ravens, for one 46 Certain agent’s area 48 Mozart title starter 49 General Motors subsidiary 50 Substitute in a list 51 Ph.D. hurdle 53 Both, at the start 54 Contests 55 Smithsonian, e.g.: Abbr. 56 PD ranks 58 Italian diminutive suffix 59 Venom transmitter 60 Arguable ability Yesterday’s solution
SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution
23
24 Friday, November 13, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian
collegian.com