San Diego – Disrespected once, David Anderson issued a swift payback.
Nearly two months ago, Wyoming coach Joe Glenn came up with a fictional account of Anderson waving the Bronze Boot in his face after the Rams’ victory over Wyoming a year ago. The Colorado State wide receiver responded with six catches for 169 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown in a 39-31 CSU victory. Then he waved the rivalry trophy for all to see.
Disrespected again by getting left off the all-Mountain West Conference first team, Navy could prove the innocent victim in Thursday’s Poinsettia Bowl.
While few would dispute Wyoming’s all-purpose threat Jovon Bouknight deserved to be first-team all- MWC, some could take exception with the selection of New Mexico’s Hank Baskett III. Anderson shared second-team honors with San Diego State’s Jeff Webb.
The slight certainly isn’t Navy’s fault but Anderson, always looking for motivation, may have found it.
“That motivates you a little bit but I told everyone I talked to that I’m the only one of the four going to a bowl game,” Anderson said. “I’ll take second team and a bowl game any day.”
Quarterback Justin Holland said: “It wasn’t based on winning. I believe it was a big mistake. Obviously I think he deserved (first team). He’s not going to let it affect him. If anything he’ll play better. He’s one of those guys who just really wants to be in a tough situation and that’s why he’s always making great plays at pivotal moments.”
Anderson should get ample opportunities in his final game in a CSU uniform.
“I’m sure he was a little miffed,” said Rams offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt, who is preparing a wide-open attack for Navy expected to be heavy on passes thrown toward Anderson.
CSU coach Sonny Lubick expects the Rams’ number of possessions to be limited by Navy’s clock-eating ground game, making it vital CSU scores when it does have the ball.
“We have to outscore these guys,” Hammerschmidt said. “I don’t think we’re going to out-drive them. We have to make them play a game they don’t want to play. We have to pop the big plays. We want to make them defend the field.”
To do that, look for a lot of Anderson, who made first- team all-conference as a sophomore and second team a year ago when his numbers dropped after Holland’s mid-year injury. With Holland healthy, Anderson caught 77 passes for 1,095 yards this season, extending his school record for receiving yards to 3,508 yards. Baskett caught 67 passes for 1,071 yards.
“All that stuff is just on paper,” Anderson said of the award process. “People won’t remember that. I’m not too mad. I knew someone would be left out because there were four really good receivers.”
Wyoming, New Mexico and San Diego State were shut out of the bowls. CSU is using San Diego State’s facilities for bowl practice and several unhappy Aztecs looked on Monday.
At 6-feet-4, 220 pounds, Baskett has the size NFL scouts love. Webb also figures to join a legacy of Aztecs receivers who played in the NFL. Anderson, at 5-11, 192 pounds, is a longshot to get a look by the NFL.
He can boost his stock with a big bowl game and a strong showing in the East-West Shrine game.
Agents are pestering him, but he has them talk to his older brother. He’s still awaiting an invitation to the all-important NFL combine, which might be his best shot to impress NFL scouts.
And, of course, there’s Thursday’s game, what might be the last of his football career.
“We can surprise them on offense a little,” he said. “We’re going to be aggressive.”
Footnote
CSU learned a San Diego recruiting advantage first hand, practicing in temperatures about 50 degrees better than the freezing teens in Fort Collins over the weekend.
“The kids tried hard. I think the heat got to them,” Lubick said. “That’s the first time I’ve seen them sweating and panting in a while.”
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
