Colorado State responds in a major way, beats down San Jose State on Homecoming weekend

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — In front of a packed stadium of 34,780 fans at Canvas Stadium, the fourth largest crowd since the Rams returned to campus in 2017, Colorado State (2-3) followed up its last two strong showings with an absolutely dominant performance against the reigning conference champions on Saturday afternoon, defeating San Jose State (3-3) in a 32-14 beatdown. 

Leading the way for CSU was Todd Centeio. It’s been an up and down campaign for the dual-threat quarterback in his first year as the full time starter but Centeio was brilliant for the Green & Gold in this one. He started the game by completing his first five pass attempts on the opening series, leading the Rams down the field for an opening touchdown. And from there Centeio never slowed down, as he consistently put the offense in position to score, moved the ball downfield and generally just made good decisions with the football. 

Centeio’s best play of the game came at the 9:55 mark of the third quarter. On third and 10 with a chance to really put the Spartans away, Centeio dropped back and delivered an absolute dime over the defensive back’s shoulder to connect with Ty McCullouch (WR) for a 60-yard touchdown. 

In total Centeio finished 18-of-22 (82 percent) for 226 yards and a touchdown pass. His completion percentage (82) is tied for the fourth-best single-game performance by a Rams quarterback all-time. 

After Cayden Camper was able to drill a 53-yard field goal on the ensuing series to put the lead at 26-7, CSU simply relied on its rushing attack to close out the victory in the second half. Featuring a heavy dose of A’Jon Vivens and Jaylen Thomas in the backfield — CSU was able to hold off on putting David Bailey into the game despite dressing him — and with the ground game rolling for the Rams, the Spartans never had a chance to come back. 

When Comatose fired for the final time on Saturday, Camper was 6-of-6 on field goal attempts — a new school record for the most in a single game. Since starting 1-of-4 on the year the Pueblo native has made his last 11 field goal attempts over the last three weeks. He remains perfect on extra point attempts in his career. 

Vivens tallied a game-high 31 carries for 114 yards, Thomas added 62 yards on 13 attempts, and Centeio had 37 yards on the ground off of six carries. On the outside CSU benefitted from finally getting more pass catchers involved as well. Eight different players caught a pass in the victory, including Trey McBride who led the team in receptions (6) and yards (60).

On the defensive side of the ball it was yet another stellar showing from the defensive front seven. Dequan Jackson led the unit with 12 total tackles but Cam’ron Carter was just behind him with 10. Scott Patchan had six tackles and a strip sack as well. Really, though, it was a really strong team showing as eight different defenders recorded three or more tackles.

Now sitting at 2-3 the Rams have a chance to continue the turnaround at New Mexico on the road next week. CSU has not lost to UNM in over a decade and they certainly won’t want to start now.

Next up: UNM.