Next stop on Colorado State’s Mountain West Conference Revenge Tour: Provo, Utah.
Having rectified their most lopsided league losses of a year ago with a rout of Air Force and a final-minute goal-line stand Saturday against Utah, the Rams might be hard-pressed to recall if they are supposed to harbor a grudge against Brigham Young.
The mundane 31-21 loss to the Cougars a year ago had few moments worth remembering. The Rams couldn’t win despite a career-high 232 receiving yards by David Anderson. CSU led 21-17 in the fourth quarter only to stand around as BYU quarterback John Beck produced two touchdown drives. Cougars coach Gary Crowton agreed to resign at the end of the season.
As several Rams said last week, they are starting to get their swagger back. When the whole defensive line had a hand in stuffing Quinton Ganther’s fourth-and-goal attempt just outside the goal line, the process was complete.
“That’s as good as it gets,” said CSU defensive coordinator Steve Stanard.
Overshadowed by the electrifying finish was CSU’s two-touchdown rally in the final quarter, after the Rams managed just one field goal in the first 45 minutes. Down 14-3 at the end of the third quarter, it represented the second-biggest fourth-quarter reversal of the Sonny Lubick era. The top one was the 1996 classic at Air Force when CSU prevailed 42-41 after trailing 41-20 after three quarters.
Beck directed two touchdown drives in the final 7:15 Saturday to upset New Mexico in Albuquerque for coach Bronco Mendenhall’s first career victory over a Division I foe. BYU’s 2-3, 1-2 record is misleading, given an earlier 51-50 overtime loss to MWC-leading TCU.
Footnotes
CSU running back Kyle Bell, who scored the game-winner on a 49-yard run with 5:05 remaining, continues to lead the MWC in rushing with 120 yards a game. He moved up a notch to 10th nationally. … Anderson and punter Jimmie Kaylor rank eighth nationally in catches per game (7.4) and punting average (45.6). … CSU will announce a time today for the Oct. 22 game against Wyoming pending TV plans.
