Fort Collins – By the time Kyle Bell scored CSU’s last touchdown Thursday night on a 9-yard counter pitch, his entire interior offensive line was wiped out by injury.
The biggest concern was center Albert Bimper, who had to be helped off the field with a severely injured left hamstring. Offensive guard Josh Day left earlier, also with a left hamstring injury.
Nick Allotta, who had started at guard for Brandon Alconcel, moved over to center when Bimper left, and Alconcel had to play at guard despite a cast on a dislocated elbow. He missed his second straight start with the injury he suffered against Minnesota.
“That’s the sad part about this game,” CSU coach Sonny Lubick said of Bimper. “He’ll be out a month or so.”
Bimper had 26 straight starts coming into Thursday.
CSU offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt said, “He’s the key to our offensive line.”
Said quarterback Justin Holland: “It’s a huge loss.”
Mom’s the charm
Lubick might want to invite his 89-year-old mother, Fran, to take up permanent residence in Fort Collins. She has been visiting for the past week while CSU won two games. Lubick said his mom has become a big fan of Bell.
Bad bet
Hammerschmidt said receiver George Hill promised he could score on a draw play or would pay Hammerschmidt $100. Hill fumbled on the play. Hammerschmidt said he won’t collect on his bet, for fear of violating NCAA rules.
CSU milestones
With 123 yards on five catches, sophomore Luke Roberts became the fourth Ram this season to post a 100-yard receiving game. He is also the sixth wide receiver to catch a touchdown pass for CSU this season.
“He’s as good as they come,” said Lubick. “Coaches don’t think he has speed. All he does is catch it and run by people. If he doesn’t run by them, he runs over them.”
David Anderson had the 12th 100-yard game of his career, one shy of Greg Primus’ school record. The Rams have had at least one 100-yard receiver in each game.
With 464 yards in four games, Bell has surpassed Jimmy Green’s 2004 individual season rushing lead of 441 yards.
Depleted Falcons
The Air Force was without starting tight end Robert McMenomy, giving the start to sophomore Chris Evans. However, wide receiver Jason Brown also lined up at tight end. McMenomy came out of last Thursday’s game at Utah with a bruised foot and didn’t practice all week.
Otherwise, nose guard Russ Mitscherling, halfback Justin Handley and linebacker Overton Spence started after being injured one week earlier in Salt Lake City against the Utes. Mitscherling left in the third period on his own power and returned.
Footnotes
Chad Hall was a factor in the running game, becoming the first Air Force halfback to surpass 100 yards since 2003. … Overall, Air Force’s running game was held to 227 yards. … CSU had a seven-play advantage in total plays and almost a three-minute advantage in possession time. … At halftime, the Falcons were 3-for-3 on fourth-down gambles, but the Falcons couldn’t convert anything but field goals. … The Falcons used 14:08 of clock in the first half and had just three field goals to show for it. … The Falcons came away bruised with guard Lawrence Hufford (ankle), Mitscherling (ankle), halfback Kip McCarthy (wrist), cornerback Chris Sutton (leg) and defensive end Gilberto Perez (leg) on the injured list.
