Fort Collins – It’s all in the scheduling and the timing of the scheduling as Colorado State hopes for its first 3-0 start since a 7-0 beginning to the 1994 season.
Even in recent years when CSU beat Colorado, the Rams slipped in the weeks following – at BYU in 1999, Arizona State in 2000 and UCLA in 2002. A year ago, Nevada represented Colorado State’s only nonleague breather after an 0-2 start.
This year, though Nevada is 0-2, the Wolf Pack is a slight favorite playing at home Saturday.
The Rams’ secondary has been virtually untested in the first two weeks – against Division I-AA Weber State and an anemic Colorado passing game – but that will change Saturday when it faces Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe. He passed for 324 yards against the Rams a year ago, more than any other opponent CSU faced in 2005, and three touchdowns in a 42-21 loss.
“We’re always going to be ready for the pass, but this team, we know we are going to get more passes,” free safety Klint Kubiak said.
Nevada has moved the ball well but has had trouble on defense in losses to Fresno State (28-19) and Arizona State (52-21).
“It’s the most well-rounded team on the ground and in the air yet,” said CSU’s Mike Pagnotta, who has established himself as an exceptional run defense safety.
CSU coach Sonny Lubick says most I-A teams would match Nevada’s start if they opened at Fresno State and at No. 22 Arizona State. The defending WAC co-champions, who won seven of eight after the CSU loss a year ago, return many of their key players from a 9-3 team, including Rowe and wide receiver Caleb Spencer.
With the possible exception of BYU’s John Beck, Rowe should be the best all-around quarterback the Rams face this season.
“They are a little more balanced. He’s a quarterback who has experience, and he looks pretty good,” Lubick said. “I think the things that make Jeff Rowe tough is his experience and he has a way of buying time. Even though he’s tall (6-feet-5), he runs along the line of scrimmage, he buys a lot of time and looks to throw rather than run.”
Nevada coach Chris Ault, however, didn’t hide his dismay with Rowe’s two interceptions at Arizona State.
“He really did not play up to our standards against Arizona State,” Ault said. “He misread some things that Jeff doesn’t usually do.”
Nevada has a history of prolific passing games. Colorado Crush quarterback John Dutton was a Wolf Pack standout nearly a decade ago. Former Wolf Pack receivers Alex Van Dyke, Trevor Insley and Geoff Noisy have entries in the NCAA record book, and Nate Burleson is a starter for the Seattle Seahawks.
“When you’re 0-2 you’re questioning some things,” Ault said. “We played two tough teams, and Colorado State is right in that category.”
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Nevada (0-2) – Quarterback Jeff Rowe is a third-year starter and has more than 6,000 career passing yards. Caleb Spencer is on the Biletnikoff watch list as a top receiver and has caught a pass in 26 straight games.
Colorado State (2-0) – Quarterback Caleb Hanie, who hit 14 consecutive passes against Colorado, has completed 77.8 percent of his passes. Safety Mike Pagnotta has two sacks and two more tackles for losses. Wide receiver Johnny Walker is coming off MWC co-offensive player of the week honors.
Key stat
The Rams are No. 1 nationally in total defense, yielding 116 yards a game but have yet to recover a turnover.
Key for Nevada
Giving Rowe time to catch CSU’s pass defense, which hasn’t been tested, off-balance. Rowe struggled in last week’s loss to Arizona State with two interceptions and only 163 yards passing.
Key for CSU
Establish some semblance of a running game against a team giving up 175.5 yards on the ground. The Rams are averaging just 82 yards on the ground without Kyle Bell.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached a 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
