Fort Collins – An offense resembling Colorado State’s power running game of old took to the field Saturday at new and improved Hughes Stadium and helped the Rams defeat Nevada 42-21 in their home opener.
Sophomore running back Kyle Bell fueled CSU’s first two scoring drives, and senior quarterback Justin Holland finished off the first-quarter drives with touchdown passes of 26 yards to Johnny Walker and 23 yards to George Hill.
Although a third-quarter fumble by Bell set up Nevada’s second touchdown of the game, he made up for the turnover on the next drive with the first touchdown of his CSU career. He bulled in from the 1-yard line to score as the Rams built a 28-14 lead in the first minute of the fourth quarter.
With 183 yards on 33 carries, Bell had the most productive rushing day by a CSU player since Henri Childs hit Brigham Young for 237 yards in 2001. Bell’s total ranks 22nd in CSU history.
Bell had promised a big contribution in his first start if he could get in the flow with 20 carries instead of coming off the bench, as he had in the Rams’ first two games. After his touchdown, he had 28 carries for 152 yards.
Bell delivered CSU’s first 100-yard rushing effort since the Wyoming game in the middle of last season.
CSU (1-2) snapped a three-game losing streak stretching to last season. Besides the Rams’ revived rushing attack aided by Tristan Walker in a blocking-back role, there was distinct improvement in special teams, which had contributed to 27 points scored against CSU in the first two games.
Make that improved, not perfect, special teams. Hill, whose status was uncertain going into the game because of a midweek concussion, returned the opening kickoff to Nevada’s 13-yard line only to see it brought back to the CSU 40 because of a holding penalty.
Bell carried on the first four plays of the Rams’ opening possession, setting up Holland’s 26-yard scoring pass to Walker. Bell then got the ball on four plays of the six-play scoring drive that created a 14-0 lead on Holland’s TD toss to Hill.
CSU’s Zac Bryson, a former walk-on quarterback from Reno, Nev., who converted to defensive back, picked up a blocked Nevada punt and returned the ball to the Wolf Pack’s 2. David Anderson and freshman Klint Kubiak combined for the block.
Walker needed only one play to put the Rams in front 21-0 before the first quarter ended.
It looked as if the Rams were going to score on four consecutive drives when Robert Herbert intercepted Jeff Rowe, taking the turnover to the Wolf Pack’s 29. But CSU advanced only to the 7, and Kevin Mark failed to convert a field-goal attempt of 27 yards.
The Rams’ offense then moved the chains for two quarters without scoring. Nevada’s offense 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 Rowe with 9:35 left in the second quarter.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler
can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
