When Colorado State security begins its round-the-clock watch at Hughes Stadium this week – to prevent a recurrence of last year’s vandalism to the field before the Wyoming game – some electronics wizard might want to attempt a different form of sabotage.
Next to the word “quarter” on each scoreboard, someone needs to permanently install the number 4.
For the third time in as many Mountain West games, the Rams showed no particular urgency until the fourth quarter approached. Saturday it was too late to change their fate in a 24-14 loss to BYU.
Through three conference games, CSU has scored 39 points in the final quarter, 21 in the third quarter and a combined 16 points before halftime.
Saturday, running back Kyle Bell was held to 36 yards on nine carries. Nnamdi Ohaeri came in late and gained 17 yards on three attempts.
Two holding penalties proved critical and CSU’s defense was repeatedly flagged for being offsides.
“We can’t keep doing this to ourselves,” offensive tackle Mike Brisiel said. “We can’t wait until the fourth quarter to decide to put a drive together.”
CSU wide receiver David Anderson echoed that.
“We’re not going to win any games if we wait until the fourth quarter,” Anderson said. “I don’t care if the score is 0-0. We have to make things happen early.”
Against the Cougars, CSU’s first touchdown didn’t come until the final play of the third quarter. The previous week against Utah, the Rams didn’t cross the goal line until the first play of the final quarter.
“I don’t know what they did,” said Anderson. “They were running around all over the place. Maybe we need a little better preparation, a little better concentration.”
Quarterback Justin Holland, who hadn’t been sacked since the second game of the season, was dropped four times. He also had problems with the exchange with backup center Nick Allotta while starter Albert Bimper is nursing a hamstring injury.
Holland wouldn’t offer excuses, saying he had worked with Allotta for years.
“We’re pretty good at stopping ourselves,” Holland said. “When we don’t do that stuff, we see how explosive we can be. We are multidimensional, but we have to stop killing ourselves with penalties.
“Offensively we should be able to put 30 points on anyone. It’s our fault for waking up in the fourth quarter for the last three games.”
BYU’s blitz package clearly confused the Rams. Holland said halftime adjustments worked.
“Those are the types of things you have to deal with in the first half. Teams are going to run some new stuff at you,” Holland said. “It’s inexcusable for this offense to not put up points in the first half.”
As frustrated as the Rams were, they’re focusing on Wyoming and the Bronze Boot.
“This team never gives up. That’s the great thing about being part of this team,” Holland said. “When we were down 14-0, we were going to fight, we were going to play hard. … Whatever we weren’t prepared for this week, we’re going to prepare for it next week, and the same things aren’t going to happen against Wyoming.”
Colorado State 0 0 7 7 – 14
BYU 0 14 3 7 – 24
Second Quarter: BYU – Brown 4 run (McLaughlin kick), 12:27. BYU – Coats 2 pass from Beck (McLaughlin kick), 1:32. Third Quarter: CSU – Sperry 14 pass from Holland (Mark kick), :01. Fourth Quarter: CSU – Anderson 19 pass from Holland (Mark kick), 9:00. BYU – Brown 2 run (McLaughlin kick), 2:07. A – 58,165.
CSU | BYU
First downs 15 23
Rushes-yards 21-30 52-274
Passing 281 168
Comp-Att-Int 22-30-0 13-18-1
Return Yards 9 3
Punts-Avg. 4-45 1-38
Fumbles-Lost 4-1 2-1
Penalties-Yards 8-50 6-55
Time of Possession 24:48 35:12
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Colorado St, Bell 9-36, Ohaeri 3-17, Walker 1-6, Green 1-2, Holland 7-(-31). BYU, Brown 31-147, Tahi 14-86, Beck 5-37, Meikle 1-4, team 1-0.
PASSING – Colorado St, Holland 22-30-0-281. BYU, Beck 13-18-1-168.
RECEIVING – Colorado St, Walker 8-100, Anderson 5-54, Sperry 3-42. Hill 3-24, Osborn 1-19, Roberts 1-19, Green 1-4, Morton 0-9. BYU. Harline 4-81, Tahi 2-17, Coats 2-14, Ashworth 1-23, Collie 1-13. Griffin 1-13, Reed 1-4, Allen 1-3.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
