Practice makes perfect.
Or, at least, practice prepares players for profound performances.
Rashard Higgins is a star. His “Hollywood” nickname says so. Of course, it’s a nickname the junior wideout gave himself, so it’s also a lot to live up to. And even stars have to practice at a high level if they want to realize success on the gridiron.
On Saturday, Higgins was the All-American level receiver we all witnessed last year. While his Colorado State Rams rolled over the UNLV Rebels 49-35, “Hollywood” was the team’s leading man, catching seven passes for 102 yards and three touchdowns.
The first score came on a brilliant back-shoulder fade from quarterback Nick Stevens. The second touchdown followed a rollout bootleg by Stevens and a drag route across the back of the end zone by Higgins. Finally, his third score was on a fade to the back corner of the end zone, putting Colorado State ahead by 14 with only 7:41 to play. It basically sealed the deal as the Rams won on Senior Day, the last home game for CSU this season. Which could mean the possible last performance for Higgins at Hughes Stadium.
For “Hollywood,” it was his first multi-touchdown performance of the season as he finally looked as explosive as he was in 2014.
So, what changed?
According to head coach Mike Bobo, the infamous “Come to Jesus” meeting which followed the loss to San Diego State also helped to jump-start Higgins’ improved practice routine.
“After the San Diego State game, we had that meeting and talked about practice habits,” Bobo explained after the victory. “And Rashard Higgins has practiced like a great player should practice the last two weeks. I think his play has been evident of that, the way he’s practiced. You’ve got to practice to be able to play at a high level and to put yourself in position to make plays.
“He didn’t want to let anybody down,” Bobo continued. “He practiced that way, he practiced that way this week and I think he’s starting to play the way we all think he can play.”
For Higgins, that preparation during the week helped him succeed on Saturday. And in the game, he saw the one-on-one coverage as a challenge to overcome.
“I just felt like when somebody goes one-on-one with me, that’s my time to shine,” Higgins said after the win. “They play a lot of press man and we just took advantage of it, me and Nick (Stevens) did.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTJUFrFDhuU&feature=youtu.be
But, just like his coach said a few minutes later, the junior receiver also acknowledged the importance of practice.
“Yes, sir,” Higgins said of the offense finding a formula. “I think we do. It just goes back to practice. It feels great.”
On the season, Higgins now has 50 receptions for 667 yards and five touchdowns. It’s a solid year for any receiver, even if it’s nowhere near the otherworldly numbers he put up last season (96 receptions for 1,750 yards and 17 TD).
Still, he did move into No. 2 all-time for Colorado State receivers in terms of career yards (3,309) behind only David Anderson, and it leaves everyone wondering what he’ll do next year.
Will Higgins move onto the NFL or will he stay in Fort Collins for his senior season?
“You know, I’m still talking to my mom about it,” Higgins said after the game.
“We’ll do our due diligence and get the information from the NFL of where they see him (going),” Bobo explained. “He needs to make a decision that’s best for him and his family…My personal belief (is) if a guy’s not gonna be a first-rounder, I think he needs to come back to school and finish school and improve to try to get himself into that category.”
https://youtu.be/y9v9yjdRVlU
Bobo has a point and Colorado State fans know about stars leaving early to declare for the NFL Draft. Following his tremendous 2013 season, Kapri Bibbs left CSU for the NFL but went undrafted. That 2013 season included 31 rushing touchdowns for Bibbs and 1,741 yards on the ground. Still, he wasn’t drafted. The Denver Broncos have since picked him up and he’s remained on their practice squad, but the question always seems to be: What if Kapri stayed for another season at the college level?
If I had to guess, the news wouldn’t be good for Colorado State; Higgins is as good as gone. Just like he’s flown past defenders on numerous bubble screens turned touchdowns, “Hollywood” is going to take that walk down the red carpet and into the NFL when this season is over. Will he be drafted in the first round? Probably not. But he’ll be taken somewhere shortly thereafter and an NFL team may be happy with what they get. That is, if Higgins remembers to consistently prepare like a star should.
Luckily for Ram fans, there are two regular season games remaining to witness Higgins in all his glory, to soak in his stardom and ability. And if CSU can find a way to win one of their last two games – each on the road against New Mexico and Fresno State – the Rams will become bowl eligible for a third straight season. That means those who bleed green and gold could have three more games to watch him in action.
And if they’re really lucky, “Hollywood” will continue to put in the work necessary during the week to shine on Saturdays, just like he did today, in his swan song at Hughes Stadium.
