Colorado State makes statement with first conference win

FORT COLLINS – The storyline was there to be written. ‘Colorado State bows out at home in consecutive weeks, 2016 turns into rebuilding year.’

As they stared down a 24-10 deficit, it could have gotten ugly again in a hurry, as it did against Wyoming a week ago. But the Rams played mistake-free, yet aggressive football that fans had yet to see against a quality opponent.

“What a game,” said Mike Bobo. “I’m really proud of our guys, the way they fought. They continued to play through some adversity. I say it all the time, but you have to fight for 60 minutes and we talked about that in the locker room after the game, what we wanted to feel like and the only way it could feel the way you wanted it to feel is by giving everything you had for the guy next to you and to not look at the scoreboard.”

It looked CSU had no answer for dual-threat quarterback Kent Myers early on. At times, the Rams’ defense looked helpless. But second half adjustments by defensive coordinator Marty English allowed the offense to get back into the game.

Bobo mentioned that the Rams went to more of a cover two look, which gave Myers problems. That, coupled with two takeaways from the CSU defense, kept Utah State off the board in the second half.

“That’s just a boost for our defense, it’s huge confidence,” explained linebacker Kevin Davis. “Just as young as we are to go out there in the second half of the game to shut out Utah State, and also give the ball back to our offense.”

Davis also spoke about his game-clinching interception.

“It was relief,” Davis said. “It was something that we needed as a team. Guys believed today and that was huge. You could see it in their eyes. It wasn’t like any of the other games. Guys believed. We fed off of each other.”

That belief was certainly tested when quarterback Collin Hill went down late in the third quarter with a knee injury. For most teams, that kind of loss would be demoralizing.

But Nick Stevens, the 2015 starter, led the offense on game-tying and go-ahead touchdown drives. It was a sweet feeling for a guy that lost the starter’s job in week one.

“He always showed up to practice, and he always showed up to work,” said receiver Michael Gallup. “That’s what he does best. His number was called tonight and he produced.”

Give credit to Bobo and the Rams. With their backs against the wall, they stayed the course and continued to execute. But there’s no doubting the ‘belief’ factor gave the green and gold an extra jolt in the second half.

“Don’t doubt it and believe,” said Stevens regarding the feelings in the locker room at halftime. “That was an emphasis all week, no matter what happens believe. Believe in each other and believe in yourselves, and don’t let the guy next to you down. I think that helped us not give up and come back and get the win.”

Hill’s status for next week remains up in the air, as the true freshman is set to undergo an MRI. But Bobo reaffirmed that his offense will be in good hands with a guy like Stevens under center. The head coach spoke to his mental toughness and character as well.

Said Bobo: “It is easier said than done how you are going to handle it. It is one thing for a guy to say the right things to you guys, the media, but it is another thing for the guy to live the right way and that is what he did from day one. He was not happy but he understood and he came out and worked out every day in practice, he prepared, he was a great leader, not only for Collin (Hill) but for the team because he put his personal agenda aside and he kept being a Ram, kept preparing, kept working. And I knew if he had this opportunity the guys would respond to it and he would play well because they saw how he handled the situation. So, I’m really proud of him.”

Whether it was the offense or defense, one thing was clear Saturday night. The Rams were playing with their hair on fire Saturday night, a type of energy that hasn’t been on display a whole lot in 2016.

“We have good practices so we should have confidence,” said Bobo on if the performance tonight is a natural progression as the season goes on. “Go out there and play free. Play free and don’t worry about making a mistake. They’re going to happen but if we play free and play within ourselves, we’ll have a chance to make plays.”