Fort Collins – Colorado State’s first-team offense executed a flawless two-minute drill Monday, complete with a third- and-long conversion, before the defense delivered on the final play.
Quarterback Justin Holland went deep to David Anderson in the end zone. Safety Miles Kochevar came down with the ball.
“It was hard to get going, but once we got going it was good,” Kochevar said.
Kochevar, a senior from Fruita, hopes the play is symbolic of his final season. CSU usually needs an unheralded senior to step up. Last season it was converted walk-on linebacker Adam Lancisero, who led the team in tackles at safety.
It was as much a reflection on the injury-riddled and inexperienced linebacking corps that the top four tacklers on the team were defensive backs.
Kochevar had five starts but primarily backed up Lancisero and Ben Stratton, finishing third in team tackles with 63. Although defensive coordinator Steve Stanard won’t say any starting job is secure, Kochevar has steadily lined up at free safety with the first unit and responded with big plays.
Stratton, a third-year starter, is back along with senior Travis Garcia, a backup a year ago. Lukas Davis, a junior who sat out last fall and spring with injuries, is ready to contribute.
“Us four safeties worked out hard together all summer,” Kochevar said. “We’ve been competing hard in the weight room and running on the field. … No matter which way we’ll go, we’ll be strong at safety.”
“We have about 10 scholarship corners right now,” Stanard said. “At safety, Miles is really doing well. I don’t know if I can say who’s going to start. We have three safeties competing, and Lukas is in the hunt.”
Last season Kochevar felt he was finally fully recovered from a 2002 knee surgery.
“After I tore my knee, I came back, but I wasn’t totally healthy,” he said. “I worked my way on special teams and kind of carried it from there.”
Still, he didn’t open fall practice particularly well. “I’m out there, I’m getting more looks. It comes with experience being out there on the field,” he said.
He might even earn enough fame to get his last name pronounced correctly. Even Stanard pronounces it “KO-cha-ver,” while the player insists it’s “Ko-CHAY-ver.”
It was the first day in full pads for the Rams, who break today for media day at Hughes Stadium.
Footnotes
Linebacker Luke Adkins is still sitting out while recovering from late-season knee surgery. … Defensive end Terrance Carter is out indefinitely with a concussion. His replacement, Matt Rupp, pulled a hamstring Monday and could miss a week.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303 820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
