Fort Collins – Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick figured his team would need to be aggressive Saturday to end a three- game losing streak to Colorado.
“You’ve got to take a risk sometime,” Lubick said. “No risk, no glory as they say.”
Facing third-and-8 from CU’s 43 and clinging to a 14-10 lead late in the game, Lubick went deep.
Wide receiver Johnny Walker came through, making a highlight-film 32-yard reception in double coverage near the sideline. The play allowed the Rams to run out the clock for the win at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“He’s made some great catches, but that was as good as any catch he’s made,” Lubick said.
Walker was named Mountain West Conference offensive player of the week Monday for his career-best 10 catches and 158 yards.
The fact one receiver could account for 172 combined yards – Walker also ran two option pitches for 14 yards – of CSU’s 248 also spoke volumes of the glaring liability in the running game and offensive line.
Running backs Gartrell Johnson and Nnamdi Ohaeri combined for only 21 yards.
Kyle Bell, who tore his ACL a few days before the season opener, averaged 107.6 last season.
“It’s hard to evaluate the running backs because there really hasn’t been much running room,” Lubick said.
Lubick said the offensive coaches are “struggling with some ideas. CU is pretty good on defense, but regardless we’d like to rush for 100 yards somewhere along the line.”
In addition to the rushing woes, quarterback Caleb Hanie has taken eight sacks, a number that is last in the Mountain West and tied for 112th nationally.
CSU offensive line coach Darrell Funk isn’t expecting any lineup changes, although redshirt freshman Shelley Smith is pushing hard to get playing time at guard.
“We just have to get better,” Funk said. “The top priority is the running game. We have to shore up some fundamentals inside. There’s nowhere to run, and we have to work on that.”
Funk attributed three sacks in part to the Invesco Field crowd noise. He said left tackle Clint Oldenburg couldn’t hear the cadence on at least two plays, allowing CU defensive end Abraham Wright to get a half-step jump.
“It was louder than Boulder last year,” Funk said. “I hold myself responsible for three of those sacks. We’ll shore it up. I’m not worried about that.”
No. 1 defense
Lubick wasn’t taking any more stock in the current national No. 1 total defensive ranking than he did when the Rams were 115th against the run last year.
“We knew we would be pretty good on defense,” Lubick said. “That doesn’t mean we’re overpowering or dominating. As I think as the season goes on, we’ll see more explosive football teams. I’m not expecting to hold everyone under 200 yards, although I wish we would.”
Nevada next
CSU travels to Nevada (0-2) for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday. Senior quarterback Jeff Rowe was one of the best quarterbacks CSU faced a year ago, completing 23-of-34 passes for 324 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He’ll face a CSU defense that leads the MWC with 11 sacks.
There will be no television for CSU’s first road game, although Internet streaming for broadband users will be available on wactv.com for $7.95.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
