Fort Collins – Colorado State’s injured rushing leader Kyle Bell stood on the sideline between the third and fourth quarters, waving a towel to incite the student section of Hughes Stadium.
Before his season ended with a torn ACL on Wednesday, Bell had been instrumental in a student Internet protest of the school’s decision to remove “Fum’s Song” from the video scoreboard.
Students chanted “We want Fum” and there were a few attempts to organize the song putting down CSU rivals, past and present.
“We didn’t get it quite coordinated,” said Bell.
Unnamed CSU officials declared the video clip of the late athletic director singing “Fum’s Song” to a victorious locker room was too offensive for some fans. The clip was replaced by the cheer squad and some idle graphics.
The announcer could have defused the whole chant by announcing Colorado’s 19-10 loss to Montana State. There was no announcement, although most fans had heard the score. For Bell, the cheerleading was a welcome diversion from his misery.
“The first quarter didn’t really seem real,” Bell said. “I’m so used to coming out here suiting up and playing the game. I’m going to change my whole mentality.”
He thinks Saturday was his toughest day. He looks forward to focusing on rehab following surgery. Often there is surrounding damage when an ACL is torn, but Bell said there were no other issues in the knee, which makes him more optimistic for a rapid recovery.
He’s talked to teammate Ben Stratton, who is back from ACL surgery a year ago. Bell is also aware how former New Mexico running back DonTrell Moore came back from ACL surgery in six months to lead the Mountain West in rushing last season.
“It’s easier to come back these days. I know I’ll be ready,” Bell said.
Injury update
Redshirt freshman center Tim Walter, in his first career start, had to leave after the opening series because of a sprained knee. Guard Nick Allotta, who had started at center last season, went back to center, tackle Josh Day moved to his old guard position and Dane Stratton went in at tackle.
“We didn’t run as well as we would have liked,” Hammerschmidt said with the exception of Gartrell Johnson III’s three short-yardage TDs.
CSU running backs coach Mick Delaney said he isn’t sure who will get the start against Colorado next week. CSU’s starting running back assignment was a weekly question during the 2003 and 2004 seasons until Bell took over the job in the third game last year. Also injured was wide receiver Dustin Osborn (ankle sprain).
Footnotes
The Hughes Stadium crowd of 28,801 was the fifth largest opening day crowd at the stadium. … In addition to Walter and Johnson, cornerback Joe Rucks, guard Marvin Arnold, safeties Mike Pagnotta and Klint Kubiak and wide receiver Damon Morton made their first career starts.
Colorado State report card
OFFENSE
B+ Somewhat erratic after the first quarter but could have been worse without Kyle Bell.
DEFENSE
A Giving up fewest yards in school history exorcises a lot of demons.
SPECIAL TEAMS
F Weber State dominated this area, blocking a CSU extra-point kick and recovering a fumbled kickoff return.
OVERALL
B+ Not a rout but far preferable to CSU than the alternative in Boulder.
