Fort Collins – Colorado State’s committee approach to running back is formally adjourned.
Instead of using three running backs without gaining any consistency, CSU went with Kyle Bell on Saturday and stayed with the former Weld Central High School star for 183 yards on 33 carries in a 42-21 victory over Nevada.
The most welcome sight for CSU seniors Justin Holland and Albert Bimper was watching the sophomore 10 yards in the distance.
Going in, CSU (1-2) had a combined 154 yards rushing in its first two games and hadn’t gotten a 100-yard effort from a back since the middle of last season.
The Hughes Stadium opener before 29,101 saw the best day for a Rams ball carrier since Henri Childs rushed for 237 yards against BYU in 2001.
“He was just a workhorse,” Holland, who threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-27 passing, said of Bell. “That was awesome handing the ball off and seeing him downfield 10 or 12 yards. That got me fired up about what we could do.”
Bimper, a third-year starting center, was so excited to hear Bell’s numbers, he said: “I have to call my mom. It’s good to get a block and look downfield after you got someone on the ground.”
After coming off the bench in the first two games, Bell had said he just wanted to get 20 to 25 carries to establish some consistency in his first start.
“We almost ran him too much,” CSU coach Sonny Lubick said. “The thing about him is he’s in such good condition, he could have played another quarter; he could have carried another 10 times.”
Bell didn’t argue, but didn’t mind leaving the game for Gartrell Johnson in the fourth quarter. The Rams’ Mountain West Conference opener Thursday night against visiting Air Force is more important to Bell than padding his impressive stats.
“We came out rolling,” Bell said. “We came out with confidence. We stumbled for a while. The mark of a good team is not having those lags.”
CSU’s first three touchdowns – Holland’s passes of 26 yards to Johnny Walker and 23 yards to George Hill, and Tristan Walker’s 2-yard run after a blocked punt – came almost too easily in the first quarter.
The Rams moved the ball between the 20s for two quarters before breaking out for three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Bell set up the TD passes to Walker and Hill, much as the Rams did years ago when opponents wore down trying to stop the running game.
“We’re going to run the ball against Air Force the same way as tonight. It makes it easy for us,” Holland said. “I don’t think I’ve ever thrown the ball to a more open receiver than Johnny Walker.”
Nevada’s offense first showed some life with a 12-play, 80-yard drive. B.J. Mitchell broke out of a Jahmal Hall tackle to score on an 8-yard reception from quarterback Jeff Rowe with 9:35 left in the second quarter.
Bell’s lone mistake was a fumble in the third quarter, caused when the helmet of Nevada linebacker Scott Garrison knocked the ball loose.
The Wolf Pack (1-2) needed just one play, a 43-yard pass from Rowe to Kyle Sammons, to capitalize on the CSU turnover and close within 21-14.
But the Rams answered with an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, which Bell’s 1-yard run completed.
“The offensive line was awesome,” Bell said. “On the touchdown, I didn’t get touched going into the end zone. That’s all (because of) them.”
CSU SIDELINES
UNSUNG HEROES
CSU’s special teams took a large share of the blame in the 0-2 start. But David Anderson, who gave up his punt-return role to play elsewhere on special teams, blocked a punt and recovered an onside kick Saturday against Nevada. And for the first time, punter Jimmie Kaylor had no problems. He averaged 46.3 yards.
KEY PLAY
Johnny Walker jumped over two Nevada defensive players to haul in a 48-yard pass from Justin Holland late in the third quarter, setting up Kyle Bell’s 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter for a 28-14 lead.
TURNING POINT
After the Wolf Pack closed within a touchdown late in the third quarter, CSU answered with an 80-yard drive that opened the final period.
KEY STATISTIC
+2 – CSU won the turnover battle for the first time this season with two interceptions and a fumble recovery, and just one lost fumble.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
