Fort Collins – Sonny Lubick wasn’t quite sure Saturday how much to read into Colorado State’s record day on defense, holding Weber State to minus-38 rushing yards and 86 total yards in a 30-6 victory.
Then Lubick considered the relative league strength of the Division I-AA Big Sky Conference.
“I just heard the score down the road and it makes this game a little better. Maybe it is better than you think it is,” he said.
Of course, Lubick was referring to the national upset of the day as Colorado fell 19-10 to Big Sky member Montana State. CSU plays Colorado on Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Not that he was gloating.
“It will just make them (Buffaloes) angrier,” Lubick said.
There was never a chance of a Division I-AA sweep of the state, not after the Rams dug in on a quick change of possession and held Weber State to a 24-yard Conor Foley field goal after Robert Herbert fumbled the opening second-half kickoff on the Ram 19.
Defensive tackle Erik Sandie, changing into his “Moment of Truth” T-shirt worn by the interior linemen, said, “We might have given up a touchdown there in the past. This was a tribute to the defensive character.”
The uniforms were the same but nothing else resembled the defense of a year ago. CSU vented a long winter of discontent as evidenced by Sandie’s shirt. Starting with Saturday’s rushing statistics, it will be difficult for the Rams to finish 115th in the country again.
Weber State quarterback Ian Pizarro was hounded unmercifully into seven sacks, including two by defensive tackle Matt Rupp, who barely practiced in the preseason because of a hamstring pull. Rupp said his leg felt just fine Saturday.
While Weber State’s negative rushing yardage was largely the result of Pizarro’s minus-45 yards, Wildcat running back Adrian Conway netted only 14 yards on 15 carries.
“Their (defensive front) took it to our front and that was the difference,” said Weber State coach Ron McBride, a former Utah coach.
CSU’s rushing total was barely more impressive than Weber State’s in the wake of losing Mountain West Conference returning rushing leader Kyle Bell (torn ACL).
Starter Gartrell Johnson III was money inside the 5-yard line, scoring the first three short-yardage TDs. But he only gained 34 yards on 18 carries. Backup Michael Myers showed some speed bursts with 38 yards on seven carries. Nnamdi Ohaeri had the longest gain of the day, 35 yards late in the fourth quarter.
There weren’t a lot of holes for the running backs, in part because the line was reshuffled when center Tim Walter left with a knee sprain after the first series.
CSU offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt said Ohaeri, who barely had two practices with the offense this week after a plan to convert him to defense, will definitely see more playing time next week.
Rams quarterback Caleb Hanie distributed the ball as advertised, going 15-for-22 with 212 yards.
After overthrowing Morton on the first play of the game, Hanie connected on every attempt in the first half until an interception just before halftime.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached a 303 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
