Fort Collins – Spring football games are about first chances for redshirt freshmen and reserves and second chances afforded to veterans.
After blasting past the coverage in the first quarter of Colorado State’s annual spring game Saturday, George Hill dropped a wide-open pass from quarterback Billy Farris.
He made up for it in part with a 54-yard reception from redshirt freshman Grant Stucker. In the final minute, with his Green team getting a fumble recovery and reprieve from a certain loss, Hill gathered in a pass from Farris and went 58 yards to set up the game-winner.
After trailing the entire game at Rocky Mountain High School, Jason Smith finished off the Green’s 22-21 victory over the Gold with a 19-yard field goal with 27 seconds remaining.
“I should have caught the first one,” said Hill, a junior. “I’ll hear about it all year.”
Said offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt, who coached the winning Green team: “We were so lucky. This year they gave it to us. We hadn’t been able to practice the two-minute drill. It was the only play they knew.”
Thanks to two big plays, Hill led the receivers with six catches for 150 yards. For Hill, the best part of the victory was getting to talk back to fellow receiver Damon Morton, described by Hammerschmidt as the co-MVP of the spring with backup running back Gartrell Johnson III.
There were numerous side bets among the players, and Hill couldn’t wait to collect a week’s worth of meals from Morton.
“He was talking even before the teams were picked,” Hill said.
If not for Hill’s final catch, Morton would have been the star of the spring game with five catches for 95 yards. His 52-yard reception from a scrambling Caleb Hanie gave the Gold team a 21-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
As he had all spring, Morton made the most of the reception after the catch, cutting across the field for the final 25 yards into the end zone.
With that score it looked as if there would be a rare rout in the spring game. Hanie drove the field and hit Luke Roberts with a 10-yard touchdown pass on the first drive for the Gold. Before the quarter ended, running back Kyle Bell took off on a 52-yard touchdown run.
Hill and Stucker interrupted the Gold spree with the first Green touchdown.
The Green team got a boost before halftime when Wade Landers, one the game’s defensive standouts, tackled wide receiver Dustin Osborn for a safety. Smith kicked a 45-yard field goal before halftime, cutting the lead to 21-12.
With a running clock for the second half, Farris used up most of the third quarter with a drive capped by his own 1-yard run. After a turnover exchange in the fourth quarter, the only score came on Smith’s game-winner.
Hanie further entrenched himself as the starting quarterback.
CSU coach Sonny Lubick said he would have preferred to see more intensity in the game and mentioned the need for better conditioning. He singled out backup linebacker Jake Pottorff (seven tackles, one sack) as helping himself the most.
CSU top issues
LINEBACKERS
After bearing the brunt of the blame for 2 1/2 seasons during CSU’s defensive downfall, particularly against the run, is there any relief in sight?
This could be the Rams’ most improved area in the fall. The projected starters – Luke Adkins, Jeff Horinek and Jon Radford – were solid Saturday and redshirt freshman Jake Pottorff gives some depth in the middle.
It won’t be the most dominant trio in the Mountain West, but they shouldn’t get run over as they did a year ago, especially against Navy.
SECONDARY
Three projected starters – cornerbacks Robert Herbert, Darryl Williams and safety Ben Stratton – sat out the spring to rehabilitate injuries. Did any depth develop in their absence?
As evidenced by some big pass plays, there are still some holes at cornerback. The newcomer who drew the most praise from defensive coordinator Steve Stanard was redshirt junior college transfer Jermaine Walters.
At free safety, sophomore Klint Kubiak continues to develop into a playmaker. He just needs more bulk. Stratton’s return will be welcomed at strong safety, but there is good depth in Mike Pagnotta and New Mexico State transfer Jake Galusha.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Who takes over for David Anderson, the all-time leading receiver for CSU?
Although Damon Morton emerged as the top receiver in the spring, CSU is going to approach the position by committee. With every team in the MWC losing its go-to receiver, CSU has the best depth thanks to Morton, Johnny Walker, Dustin Osborn, George Hill and Luke Roberts.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2 Weber State 3 p.m.
Sept. 9 *Colorado 3 p.m.
Sept. 16 at Nevada 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 at Fresno St. 8 p.m.
Oct. 7 UNLV 3 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Air Force 6 p.m.
Oct. 21 at Wyoming 2 p.m.
Oct. 28 New Mexico 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 BYU 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 11 at Utah noon
Nov. 25 TCU 4 p.m.
Dec. 2 at S. Diego St. 6 p.m.
(*-at Invesco Field)
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
