Behind Enemy Lines: Steven Montez gives BSN Rams his outlook on facing CSU

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — In four years on the Colorado campus, Steven Montez has never experienced a loss to Colorado State but the redshirt senior quarterback is not overlooking the Rams or anyone else on the schedule.

Coming off of a season in which Montez led CU to a 5-0 start and top-20 ranking, before losing seven consecutive games and missing the postseason entirely, the veteran is preaching that his squad must prepare for each week with the same level of focus.

“It’s almost like it’s a clean slate after every single game,” Montez told BSN Rams at the Rocky Mountain Showdown media luncheon event in Denver.

“It’s hard as hell to win in football, especially after last year — we definitely figured out that it’s extremely hard to win in football — so you can’t take any game for granted, no matter who the opponent is.

“We go out there and we prepare for CSU like we’re preparing for Washington, USC or whoever else is in the PAC-12, or whoever else is in the nation for that matter. We take every game week by week, and we prepare with the same intensity no matter who the opponent is.”

While Montez did make it clear that CU cannot afford to ‘sleep’ on the Rams, the 22-year-old from El Paso, Texas, doesn’t lack confidence going into the game either. In 2018, Montez completed 22-of-25 attempts for 338 yards (88 percent) in a 45-13 romping of the Rams. His four passing touchdowns tied a career-high set against Northern Colorado in 2017 as well.

Montez explained that for the most part, he believes the Rams are fundamentally sound this season. But he did that add that CSU traditionally hasn’t been a huge pressure team and because of that, Montez says the Buffs will have favorable matchups to take advantage of.

“They’ve got some good athletes out there on the perimeter but I think our guys are also good athletes — I think we’ll have good matchups that we like,” Montez said.

As far as CSU’s offense goes, Montez believes the Rams are in good hands with Collin Hill leading the way. CU’s third-year starter expressed that he admires Hill’s work ethic and determination to keep pushing forward after tearing his ACL multiple times.

“He’s very talented,” Montez said. “He’s got good size and has a good arm. He’s a very talented guy that’s had some injuries in the past but I think he’s going to come out and have a good year.”

Montez is third all-time in touchdown passes (46), fourth in passing yards (6,841) and third in total offense (7,468), so the Texas gunslinger knows a thing or two about the quarterback position.

After beating CSU in his first two starts against the Rams, Montez also knows a little bit about the magnitude of the in-state rivalry. With the 2019 RMS being the final edition in Denver, Montez believes the game has the potential to be a really hostile environment.

“I know a lot of CSU fans don’t like us, which makes sense because a lot of the CU fans don’t like CSU either,” Montez said.

Though there may be no love lost between the two sides, Montez is looking forward to being part of the rivalry one last time. “It’s a fun game to play in,” Montez said.

“When we score, I love getting booed by the opposing crowd. These games are always amped up — CSU is always a very good team, so we’re excited to play them.”

Kickoff is slated for 8:00 p.m. MT at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. The game will be televised for a national audience on ESPN.