Fort Collins – When a place-kicker who has whiffed on his previous four attempts is described by the coach as “the least of our problems,” it’s safe to conclude the offense really has some shortfalls.
Nearly two-thirds into the season, Colorado State is barely closer to establishing its woeful running game than in the second week in September, when it became evident the Rams couldn’t move the ball on the ground.
CSU is 108th nationally in rushing at 80 yards a game. The Rams have topped 100 yards twice – in the opener against Division I-AA Weber State and in a loss to Air Force.
“We’re not running the ball like you have to. I’m not saying steamrolling people,” CSU coach Sonny Lubick said. “We just have to keep working at it. The guys on the inside of the line have to grow up, and grow up faster. You can’t live on the long ball all day long.”
CSU’s last spark of offense came six quarters ago when an 83-yard pass from Caleb Hanie to Damon Morton set up Hanie’s touchdown run before halftime of the Air Force game.
Lubick and offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt want to give running back Nnamdi Ohaeri, potentially the most explosive runner, more carries.
Lubick also noted the total lack of a rushing offense at Wyoming had much to do with the Cowboys’ defense.
As for slumping place-kicker Jason Smith, Lubick said the other candidates lack maturity and he won’t take the redshirt off freshman quarterback Sean McDougal, also a standout kicker at Arvada West.
“Maybe we’ll go for it on fourth down if we get around the 33-yard line,” Lubick said. “I have faith (Smith) will come through. I don’t know how long you can wait for it. With our football team, every point is critical.”
Hammerschmidt said: “We just have to go out and make something happen, get some confidence back, get something going with some kind of consistency. The play-action is there and we’ve had explosives (big passing plays), but you are not going to have explosives if you’re not running the play-action game. It all comes off the run game.”
The bottom line, Hammerschmidt said, is “we’re not going to get it done throwing all the time, especially if teams know we can’t run.”
The offensive coordinator has no complaints with Hanie’s development.
“He’s throwing the ball well,” Hammerschmidt said. “When he has protection, he’s fairly accurate. He’s a classy guy. He’s pretty emotional on the sidelines. When you throw 40-50 times, you’re not going to be as accurate, especially in the wind (at Wyoming).”
Defense shines
All last fall, spring and preseason, defensive coordinator Steve Stanard endured questions about why his group was so ineffective.
This season, depth and experience have developed on the line and linebacking corps, and the Rams have played well enough to win almost every game on the defensive side.
Footnote
Center Nick Allotta, who has a severely sprained foot, is doubtful to play Saturday against New Mexico. Tim Walter will start in his place. Lubick said defensive tackle Erik Sandie, who had his knee scoped the day after the Air Force game, wants to come back, but the coach has never seen a player return two weeks after that surgery.
