Albuquerque – Sonny Lubick had his ice-bucket bath and game ball signed by the players Friday night for his 100th career victory at Colorado State. Then he burst back into the locker room for an encore announcement.
“In the second half, DonTrell (Moore) had 18 yards. They had 50 yards and we had 200,” Lubick yelled over the celebratory din following CSU’s latest come-from-behind victory, 35-25 over New Mexico.
After opening with a 10-0 deficit for the second straight week, CSU (5-3, 4-1 Mountain West Conference) turned in a monumental second-half defensive effort, creating turnovers on four of six Lobos possessions and shutting down Moore, who came in averaging 192 yards in three previous games against the Rams. He still finished with 117 yards to become the sixth player in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards in four straight seasons.
“I’ve never seen the defense play better in the five years I’ve been here,” CSU quarterback Justin Holland said. “It was the lift we needed.”
Holland shook off five second-half sacks to throw the game-winner to David Anderson in the back of the end zone with 7:47 left.
On Anderson’s go-ahead score, Holland tied Moses Moreno (1997) and Matt Newton (2000) for most TD passes in a season at 20. Anderson passed Greg Primus as CSU’s career yardage and reception leader.
And the Rams, in the eighth game of the season, finally found a place-kicker in walk-on Jason Smith, who booted four field goals, included a 41-yarder into the wind, CSU’s first such effort since Jeff Babcock in 2003. Smith’s performance included a 41-yarder into the wind.
“That was one gallant effort,” Lubick said. “That was a great win for us. This proved we’re a pretty good football team.”
The offensive players said they were motivated when offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt told them Lubick would join an elite list that includes Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, Frank Beamer, Bill Snyder, Fisher DeBerry and Barry Alvarez with at least 100 wins at the same school.
Lubick dismissed the impending milestone this week as something that happens if a coach sticks around 13 years, as he has done.
Cornerback Robert Herbert ignited the second-half comeback by recovering a fumbled punt return at the New Mexico 24. The Rams didn’t capitalize, but the defense, especially Herbert, persisted.
Herbert was burned by a second-quarter 51-yard touchdown catch by Hank Baskett. In the second half, Herbert intercepted a pass intended for Baskett and broke up another.
“He humbled me,” Herbert said of the TD grab. “In the second half I put the handcuffs on him.”
New Mexico had 304 yards at the half, with Moore accounting for 100 yards on the ground and another 26 on two shovel passes. CSU held New Mexico to minus-7 yards in the third quarter, when the Rams had the ball 10 minutes, 47 seconds.
“That’s as bad as you can play on offense in the second half,” New Mexico coach Rocky Long said. “You can’t play any worse.”
CSU defensive coordinator Steve Stanard said the coaches made adjustments to take away quarterback Kole McKamey’s runs on the draw and the shovel pass. Several players said Lubick was as animated as they had seen at halftime.
Lubick also took part of the blame for the early deficit, saying a few fourth-down attempts were “goofy” and possibly the result of medication he was taking for the flu.
The Rams rallied from 10-0 and 25-12 first-half deficits to tie the score at 25-25 with 12:43 left in the game.
Kyle Bell ran in from 23 yards on a one-play drive set up by Herbert’s 30-yard interception return. Holland delivered a flawless first half, completing all 10 passes for 124 yards and a 13-yard touchdown to Anderson.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
