Rams running backs, defense rumble over UTSA

FORT COLLINS – The CSU offensive line must have gotten the memo this week, as the Rams running backs totaled 220 yards in a 23-14 win over UTSA Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Mike Bobo and company were ’embarrassed’ last week against the University of Colorado. Much of that was attributed to how inept the CSU offense was at moving the ball. While it took them until well into the second quarter to record a first down against the Buffs, the Rams just needed two plays against the Roadrunners.

Faton Bauta, making his first start in green and gold, engineered an 11-play, 50-yard drive that consisted of a number of solid runs and third down conversion through the air.

The UTSA offense responded with a 12-play drive that ate up more than six minutes of the first quarter. Quarterback Dalton Sturm and running back Jalen Rhodes did the heavy lifting on the touchdown drive, giving the Roadrunners a 7-3 advantage.

CSU regained the lead late in the first quarter with a 12-play, 75 yard drive that featured a handful of Rams having success on the ground. Detrick Clark, Dalyn Dawkins, Izzy Matthews, Marvin Kinsey and Bauta all carried the ball on the drive. And on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Dawkins took a toss left into the end zone.

The CSU defense quieted Sturm and the UTSA offense for much of the second quarter, with the help of two straight three-and-outs. And then on a drive that consisted of all running plays, Matthews barreled his way in for a touchdown, extending the CSU lead to 17-7.

Sturm came back on the next drive with several big-time passes, including two at the end for a combined 44 yards, making it 17-14 UTSA. At the end of the half, Rams kicker Wyatt Bryan gave CSU a 20-14 lead.

The second half revolved much around field position, which with All-American punter Hayden Hunt, tilted the advantage toward the Rams. Credit the CSU defense as well, as they pitched a shutout in the second half. Kevin Davis, who recorded 19 tackles last week, had three sacks and a forced fumble.

Bobo also inserted true freshman quarterback Collins Hill into the game, making it three quarterbacks in eight quarters to start 2016.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Kevin Davis stole the show on defense. UTSA quarterback Dalton Sturm might be having nightmares of the Rams linebacker for a while.

PLAY OF THE GAME

On Wyatt Bryan’s field goal late in the first half, UTSA jumped offside twice. The Rams kicker ironically missed both of those kicks, prior to putting the third attempt through the uprights. While just three points, they proved to be critical late in the game.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

“We’re inept throwing the ball right now. But we will get better.” – head coach Mike Bobo

TURNING POINT

How about every defensive possession for the Rams in the second half? UTSA had seven drives, any of which could have changed the outcome of the game. Defensive coordinator Marty English and his bunch came up huge.

BY THE NUMBERS

-1 – Taking sacks into account, the Roadrunners finished with -1 yards rushing. They had 162 last week in their win over Alabama St.

0 – The number of turnovers by the Rams offense.

3 – The Rams have used three quarterbacks in their first two games of 2016.

LASTING IMPACT

Quarterback questions remain, but the Rams are on the board with their first win.

WHAT’S NEXT

CSU hosts the University of Northern Colorado next Saturday at 2 p.m. in Fort Collins.