Colorado State lights up Aztecs' defense as Rams earn seventh victory

Mike Bobo and the Colorado State offense were asked all week about how they would succeed against Rocky Long’s vaunted defense. But Nick Stevens and company basically did whatever they wanted against San Diego State in a 63-31 win to finish out the regular season.

CSU came out on their opening drive in an empty set, making a point that they were going to throw the ball. Nick Stevens hit none other than Michael Gallup to get the Rams on the board first with a 35-yard touchdown.

After a three-and-out by the Aztecs, Stevens connected with Detrich Clark for a 27-yard score. Clark notched the first receiving touchdown of his career with a screen pass that he took to pay dirt, giving the green and gold a 14-0 advantage.

Stevens, at that point, already recorded 114 yards through the air, 87 of which went to Gallup.

San Diego State would get things going offensively though. On a third down in which the Rams’ defense sold out to stop the run, Christian Chapman threw a 25-yard touchdown to David Wells to make it 14-7.

Robert Ruiz, who would have a huge first half, caught a 35-yard strike from Stevens, which helped set up an Izzy Matthews 3-yard touchdown. CSU scored touchdowns on all of their first quarter possessions and took a commanding 21-7 lead.

The Aztecs responded though with 10 unanswered points, starting with a 25-yard touchdown reception by Mikah Holder. A 34-yard field goal cut the Rams’ lead to 21-17.

San Diego State would still have no answers for the CSU offense. An 18-yard hookup between Stevens and Gallup pushed the lead to 28-17 with 7:14 remaining in the first half.

As if the Rams needed an additional jolt, Ruiz returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown. It marked the longest return in school history, breaking a record of a 90-yard return previously set in 1926.

Donnel Pumphrey then had his lone highlight of the first half when he scored a 7-yard touchdown off a jet sweep to close the gap to 35-24.

Following a 41-yard run by Matthews, Stevens hit Ruiz for a 5-yard touchdown to make the score 42-24 at halftime. Stevens couldn’t have played better, going 9-of-13 for 200 yards and four touchdowns to three different receivers.

Action in the third quarter started a bit slow until Jamal Hicks picked off an errant throw by Chapman. Bobo relied on his offense’s rushing attack to move into the red zone. Then off some trickery, Clark threw a touchdown pass from six yards out to Gallup.

Marvin Kinsey got in on the fun when he cruised untouched down the sideline for a 27-yard touchdown. The Rams sported a 56-24 lead heading into the final quarter.

CSU’s lone score of the fourth quarter came on another rushing touchdown by Matthews, his second of the night. San Diego State picked up a garbage-time touchdown when Juwan Washington outran the Rams’ defense on his way to an 81-yard dash.

The 63 points allowed by the Aztecs were the most since 2008.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Gallup – The junior wide receiver has folks at a loss for words. He totaled seven catches for 139 yards and a trio of touchdowns. His 11 scores on the season put him behind only Rashard Higgins’ single-season record of 17.

Stevens – Bobo needed smart play out of his quarterback for his team to have a chance and Stevens not only provided his usual cerebral play, but then some. He went 10-of-15 for 210 yards and four touchdowns.

Matthews – The bulldozing back put another two-touchdown game in the books. He had 14 carries for 104 yards and a pair of scores.

BY THE NUMBERS

507 – Total yards by the CSU offense

13.5 – Yards per pass by the Rams

61 – Total yards from scrimmage by Pumphrey, a far cry from what he’s accustomed to

LASTING IMPACT

Nobody really gave the Rams a chance in this one against Heisman candidate Pumphrey. This is the kind of win that makes a statement to the rest of the Mountain West.

WHAT’S NEXT

CSU is about as hot as you can be leading up to a bowl game, winning four of their last five games. Their offense matches up well against pretty much any defense right now.