Fort Collins – After spending two seasons ranked next to last in the Mountain West’s Conference’s turnover margin, Colorado State has clawed its way to the positive side.
The Rams have 13 takeaways to 12 giveaways, second-best in the league.
For perspective, CSU already has recovered six fumbles, the same it had in 13 games last season. Up next is Wyoming and quarterback Corey Bramlet, who has had nine turnovers the past two weeks.
CSU coach Sonny Lubick doesn’t expect Wyoming’s trend to continue.
“One thing about turnovers is a team cannot count on those things,” Lubick said Monday. “Last week we were talking about how we were the greatest team in the world in preventing sacks, and then in three minutes we weren’t the greatest team in the world preventing sacks.”
Justin Holland was sacked four times by BYU’s blitzing defense. The Rams allowed three sacks in the first five games.
“It’s the same thing with turnovers,” Lubick said. “I really believe they go in streaks. Sometimes a guy has bad breaks or a team might go a month without a turnover, and all of a sudden you have three or four.”
In an attempt to reduce fumbles, the Rams send their running backs through a daily drill in which grad assistants try to punch out the ball with boxing gloves.
When it comes to fumbles, Lubick said, “If it doesn’t become a paranoid thing, you just get better at it.”
Conversely, he said complacency can set in after a stretch without yielding turnovers.
Injury update
Defensive tackle Delroy Parke will miss two to three games after arthroscopic knee surgery. Lubick said the injury was a little more serious than first expected.
Linebacker Jahmal Hall might undergo surgery to repair a chronic knee ailment.
“It’s day to day, but I think he will try to fight through to get through the next month,” Lubick said. “He sees things faster than the coaches coming out of the huddle.”
Lubick said linebacker John Nichols graded out well against BYU, as did true freshman defensive tackle Shawn McGoveran, who went in for about 10 plays. However, Lubick said Hall’s experience and ability to call plays cannot be replaced.
There is also a chance backup defensive end Bob Vomhof will miss a few weeks with an ear infection that might require surgery. Lubick said the Wyoming native is trying to postpone surgery at least until after this week’s game.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
