Freshman QB sparks Rams in drubbing of UNC

FORT COLLINS – It’s safe to say that Collin Hill was tired of the quarterback trend in Fort Collins. Following two games of what head coach Mike Bobo characterized as ‘inept’ play by his signal callers, Hill put forth a debut for the ages, propelling the Colorado State Rams to a 47-21 victory.

The true freshman got the Rams on the board during their second offensive possession when he connected with Elroy Masters Jr. for a two-yard touchdown pass. The score was set up by a 50-yard catch and run by Xavier Williams, who came back from a two-game suspension.

Less than three minutes later, Hill showed off his speed when he ran 51 yards to the end zone to make it 14-0.

UNC’s offense failed to put together many quality drives in the first half as the CSU defense remained stout, going back to their second half performance in week 2.

Meanwhile, Hill and the Rams tacked on to their first quarter lead. Hill hit Michael Gallup for a 45-yard reception before tossing a beautiful 10-yard touchdown pass to Olabas Johnson.

The numbers for Hill in the first quarter were eye-popping, as he went 6-for-10 for 140 yards passing and two touchdowns, as well as 51 yards on the ground on his touchdown run.

The second quarter brought more of the same. With 9:50 to go in the half, Hill hooked up with Gallup on a 16-yard touchdown, pushing CSU’s lead to 28-0.

A sizable lead wasn’t enough for Bobo though. Soon after the UNC offense turned the ball over on downs, Hill made arguably his best throw of the day. In a tight window, he completed a 24-yard post route to Gallup that showed off his vision and arm strength. The drive was completed with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Robert Ruiz.

Rams kicker Wyatt Bryan put a bow on what was a near-perfect half for CSU when he nailed a career-long 53-yard field goal as time expired. The Rams went into the locker room with a 38-0 halftime lead.

Hill, who finished the half 16 of 22 for 266 yards and four passing touchdowns, recorded a QB rating of 234.3.

UNC quarterback Kyle Sloter and the Bears offense began to expose the CSU defense a bit in the third quarter. While taking advantage of a less aggressive Rams defense, Sloter threw a pair of touchdown passes to make it 38-14. A Wyatt Bryan 37-yard field goal made it 41-14.

In the fourth quarter, the Rams got a 9-yard touchdown run by Marvin Kinsey, the first of his college career. UNC got a garbage time rushing touchdown later in the fourth by Trae Riek.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Have a day, Collin Hill. The 18-year-old finished 21 of 27 for 315 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 58 yards rushing, including a long touchdown.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Hill’s 51-yard touchdown run may have sounded the arrival of the true freshman. His gallop made it 14-0 and set the tone for the day offensively.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

“You could see the confidence level rise when we were throwing the ball today,” said Bobo. “Guys were excited.”

TURNING POINT

UNC was driving on their first possession of the game and looked poised to take an early lead. But an interception by Braylin Scott turned the tide.

BY THE NUMBERS

234.3 – This was the absurd quarterback rating for Hill in the first half.

569 – The amount of total offensive yards the Rams offense put on UNC

38 – CSU’s 38-point halftime lead was its largest since leading by 38 vs. Savannah State in the 2015 season opener.

LASTING IMPACT

What a remarkable opening act by the young Rams quarterback. Aside from injuries to receivers Gallup and Johnson, you really have to nitpick to find negatives in this one for CSU.

WHAT’S NEXT

CSU leaves Colorado for the first time next week when they travel to play Minnesota. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. local time.