Reno, Nev. – Colorado State knew it didn’t have a running game after the first two weeks of the season. But Saturday’s third game raised serious questions about the previously stout defense and consistent passing game in a 28-10 loss to Nevada.
Or maybe CSU had some false confidence after giving up only one sustained drive in the first two weeks. Nevada drove 61, 52, 80 and 67 yards for its touchdowns. CSU’s offense was shut out, with the Rams’ points coming on a 36-yard Jason Smith field goal set up by Mike Pagnotta’s interception and Sedric Patterson’s blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone.
The defense that had played almost flawlessly to take the nation’s lead in fewest yards allowed gave up its first big play of the year, a 39-yard TD pass from Jeff Rowe to Mike McCoy 51 seconds before halftime for a 21-10 Nevada lead.
“That score prior to the half certainly didn’t help matters,” CSU coach Sonny Lubick said. “We’re not a team that can go out there and make mistakes.”
Pagnotta couldn’t enjoy the Rams’ first forced turnover of the year.
“They were a lot more balanced. That was the best quarterback we’ve seen,” he said of Rowe.
The Rams (2-1) go into the bye week in desperate needs of answers for their running game before finishing out the nonconference schedule at Fresno State on Sept. 30.
Nevada (1-2) never trailed after going winless the first two weeks.
CSU quarterback Caleb Hanie tried to carry the team in a last-ditch, fourth-quarter attempt. He advanced to the Nevada 25 before Joe Garcia picked off a pass in the end zone with 7:13 left. CSU’s next and final drive also ended with an interception.
“It was really frustrating,” said Hanie, who completed 14-of-25 passes for 113 yards after connecting on 20-of-23 the previous week against Colorado. He was sacked four times but still finished as the team’s leading rusher with 32 net yards.
“You have to blame everything. It’s not just the offensive line,” Hanie said. “We’ve got to get better.”
Hanie took the one-dimensional short passing offense as far as it could go for two weeks. Nevada was ready for the wide receiver screen passes that worked so well against CU.
Without a semblance of a running game while trying three different backs, the Rams couldn’t keep up with Nevada’s diverse attack.
“This team made a mark tonight,” Nevada coach Chris Ault said after the Wolf Pack beat the Rams for the first time in nine meetings.
CSU went into the game leading the nation in total defense, giving up 116 yards a game. The Wolf Pack combined Rowe’s 210 passing yards with 171 yards rushing.
“We knew they had more of a balanced attack. Rowe hurt us with the bootlegs, and he threw pretty well,” Lubick said.
For the first two weeks, the Rams went into the second half with leads and the faster pace of the game was an ally. This contest sped by in 2 hours, 28 minutes, a disadvantage for a team attempting a comeback.
When the defense forced Nevada’s first punt, Patterson made the first big play by special teams this season.
But the momentum was short-lived thanks to McCoy’s touchdown catch. Even more frustrating for the Rams, Nevada was backed up on third-and-29 after a personal-foul penalty and Pagnotta’s sack of Rowe for a 6-yard loss.
The first half started with CSU replaying its only mistakes of the first two weeks.
Hanie opened by failing to hook up long to Damon Morton on the first play of the game. The Rams opened with the same missed connection against Weber State. Then the Wolf Pack ran at will on its opening drive, just as Colorado had a week ago.
THE GRADES
Offense
D: Quarterback Caleb Hanie can’t do it all himself. The Rams had only 64 rushing yards – and Hanie had half of those and 113 yards passing.
Defense
C: Flaws were revealed against a balanced team that overcame its mistakes. The defense was on the field a lot, facing 63 plays over 34 minutes and 10 seconds.
Special teams
A: Came up with Rams’ only points of the game with a blocked punt and a 36-yard field goal.
Overall
D: Rams always found a way to win against the Wolf Pack – until now. Going into the bye week, they have a lot to work on, especially on offense.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
