Time was when the Colorado State-Wyoming game made Saturday’s Florida International-Miami incident look like a schoolyard tiff.
In 1978, before any of the current players and some of the assistants were born, the Rams warmed up at their practice field on campus, bused a few miles west to Hughes Stadium, and came down through the aisles of the student section.
A melee broke out as the captains assembled for the coin toss, branding Wyoming’s 13-3 win forever as “The Coin Toss Game.” CSU defensive coordinator Charlie Armey, now vice president of the St. Louis Rams, lost his job after he charged after a referee.
Emotions might run just as high Saturday, 28 years later, but the rivalry has taken on a more civilized tone. It has been an unusually quiet week, especially after the 2003 and 2005 bulletin board fodder, not to mention the 2004 branding of “UW” on the Hughes Stadium grass.
It has everything to do with the tightest Mountain West race in years. BYU and Air Force haven’t lost a conference game. CSU (4-2, 1-1), Wyoming (3-4, 2-1) and Utah each have one loss, while the other four clubs have two defeats.
“There’s no doubt it’s an important game because it is a huge, big rivalry and it makes that week big if you win it,” said CSU coach Sonny Lubick, who goes into his 14th Border War. “If you lose, it makes a miserable week. If you lose to Air Force, it makes a miserable week.”
On that topic he said: “If we had won this game (vs. Air Force), we’d be 5-1 and have ourselves in good position. It’s a big football game if we win, but what happens next week? That becomes a big game.”
The other big difference this year is the opposing defensive war rooms can’t focus on a single receiver. The past two years became the David Anderson-Jovon Bouknight shows. Last season, Wyoming’s Bouknight caught 12 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns, and Anderson caught six passes for 169 yards and one score for the Rams. Anderson, who was activated by the Houston Texans this week, carried off the Bronze Boot.
In 2004, Wyoming successfully prevented Anderson from making a catch while Bouknight caught seven passes for 97 yards. CSU still walked off with the trophy in quarterback Caleb Hanie’s first career start.
Both receiving corps are more balanced this time.
Anderson has been replaced by four wideouts – Johnny Walker, Damon Morton, Luke Roberts and Dustin Osborn – with big-play potential, while H-back Kory Sperry poses another dangerous outlet.
“Some games there’s a linebacker and a safety over him, so he takes away from guys on us,” Morton said.
Bouknight has been replaced by three Colorado imports with three TDs apiece – former Mullen tight end Michael Ford, Chatfield grad (via Northern Colorado) Tyler Holden and Arvada West’s Justin “Hoost” Marsh.
The Cowboys also are throwing more to the backs and tight ends than in the past.
“Jovon was a great player and a constant threat to score at any time,” Ford said. “Now they can’t just focus on the one side of the field Jovon was on.”
Many Wyoming players had recruiting contacts from CSU, but no offers. Ford knew he was undersized as a 6-foot-2, 190-pound high school tight end, but Wyoming projected him at wide receiver. Similarly, Bouknight, a high school quarterback, was recruited as a defensive back by CSU.
“It means a lot to me and everyone else from Colorado that CSU didn’t recruit us heavily,” Ford said. “They thought we were not good enough to play there. If we were, they would have offered. Especially as Colorado kids, that’s what drives us this week and to prove to them and everyone else we were worth it.”
CSU didn’t offer Osborn a scholarship coming out of La Junta, but he earned one as a walk-on.
“We have a big challenge ahead because they have the No. 1 pass defense in the nation,” Osborn said.
The Rams heard the usual speeches from the ROTC unit this week about the history of the Bronze Boot trophy.
“Those guys said we’re at battle with Wyoming,” Osborn said. He added, “The only thing different (from the ROTC alums in Iraq) is we’re doing it with our friends.”
Footnotes
CSU defensive end Jesse Nading (sprained ankle) was unable to practice all week, so the Rams will be missing three defensive starters along with safety Mike Pagnotta and tackle Blake Smith. Offensive tackle Josh Day (sprained ankle), who missed the Air Force game, returned to limited practice Wednesday.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Colorado State (4-2, 1-1 MWC): S Klint Kubiak – He comes off a 19-tackle effort and will pick up the load with Mike Pagnotta (knee) out. WR Damon Morton – The big-play specialist nearly had a third straight 100-yard game.
Wyoming (3-4, 2-1): S John Wendling – Wyoming’s defensive catalyst blitzes from everywhere. WR Michael Ford – The big receiver leads MWC in receptions per game.
Key stat
Wyoming is tied with New Mexico for the MWC sack lead at 19. CSU has allowed 24 sacks, third-most in the league.
KEY FOR COLORADO STATE
The Rams must protect QB Caleb Hanie, who is the offense, from the Wyoming rush. CSU has gone out of character with a high number of penalties in the past two games and needs a quick start to shake off the second-half meltdown at Air Force.
KEY FOR WYOMING
Redshirt freshman QB Karsten Sween is off to a rousing start, but CSU’s veteran defense, even missing three key starters with injuries, will do everything to take advantage of inexperience. The Cowboys were superb last week capitalizing on turnovers and want more interceptions this week.
NATALIE MEISLER
