Fort Collins – Colorado State’s standstill offense has endured the preseason injury to running back Kyle Bell, nearly weekly lineup changes in the line and goose eggs in 11 of its past 14 quarters.
Now there is another challenge as the Rams try to end their four-game losing streak Saturday at Utah.
Eric Weddle.
The most versatile athlete in the Mountain West Conference since Brian Urlacher played for New Mexico, Weddle is a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award and has played every position in the secondary, settling lately at left cornerback. He has taken 11 snaps as a quarterback/running back in the shotgun formation, averaging 3.4 yards rushing with a touchdown; he has fielded six punts; and has scored three times on defense.
“It’s a blast. It’s something you dream of,” Weddle said this week. “Everyone plays both ways in high school. In college this is just another opportunity to help the team. I try to relish it. The majority of players don’t get the opportunity.”
But he has made his name as a defensive force. With 17 career interceptions, the senior is three picks from setting the school record. He is already enjoying his best season, with six interceptions, two for touchdowns.
According to Utah statisticians, only 26 passes have been thrown to a receiver Weddle has covered, and 11 of those were completed.
In the San Francisco Bowl last year, he held Georgia Tech All-American Calvin Johnson to two catches for 19 yards.
“Some teams choose to go at him,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Usually they go at him early and end up wishing they hadn’t. On the whole, every few teams go at him and test him. The ones who have are the ones who paid.”
One player Weddle almost expects to see in his vicinity Saturday is a high school rival, CSU wide receiver Damon Morton.
“Damon is fast. It will be fun going against him,” said Weddle, recalling when he was a quarterback/safety for Alta Loma (Calif.) when it pulled out a 14-13 win over Morton’s Riverside North team. “It was one of our biggest wins.”
Morton’s recollection of their high school meeting extended to the CSU receiver picking off a Weddle pass when Morton played safety.
“He has that presence,” Morton said. “I have to go out there and execute and not worry about who it is. He is an All-America candidate. It’s going to help me get myself out there to show I can do it against an All-America candidate.”
Weddle sees his career coming full circle Saturday. His first start in 2003 as a true freshman came at Hughes Stadium. A teammate’s late fumble recovery returned for a touchdown sent the Utes on a 13-1 MWC two-year run, including the 2004 Fiesta Bowl. The Rams haven’t challenged for a title since.
In the past two seasons, Utah, like CSU, has had its struggles. Last year the Rams caught Utah before the offense matured and won the game denying Utah a score from an inch out.
“CSU beat us last year because we didn’t finish,” Weddle said. “It’s an extra incentive to play hard this game. CSU is still a dangerous team, and they are playing for everything, along with us.”
Footnotes
Senior offensive tackle Clint Oldenburg and junior defensive end Jesse Nading were named to the academic all-district first team, and sophomore linebacker Jeff Horinek made the second team. All have grade-point averages above 3.4.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Colorado State (4-5, 1-4): LB Jeff Horinek may shoulder more of a load in the middle, with strongside LB Jon Radford out with a knee injury. P Jimmie Kaylor, who is second in MWC and 10th nationally with a 44.5-yard average, was miffed that counterpart Louis Sakoda, third in MWC and 20th nationally with a 43-yard average, was named a Ray Guy finalist selection and Kaylor wasn’t.
Utah (5-4, 3-2): CB Eric Weddle is a Thorpe Award semifinalist and fifth nationally in interceptions with six. QB Brett Ratliff is third in league passing (behind CSU’s Caleb Hanie) with a 185.1-yard average and has thrown 17 TDs to seven picks.
Key stat
Utah is 16th nationally in turnover margin (plus-0.78 per game) and CSU is 97th (minus-0.56). The Rams had a rare one-turnover advantage last week against BYU.
Key for CSU
The Rams need to take better advantage of potentially their best offensive weapon, H-back Kory Sperry. Utah is still carrying a grudge for CSU’s successful goal-line stand last season and might make for an even more difficult day for the Rams, who have lost four in a row.
Key for Utah
The Utes and Rams have been inconsistent on offense this season. The difference is Utah is coming off a confidence-builder against last-place UNLV while the Rams managed just one field goal against Mountain West-leading BYU. The Utes must prevent CSU from building any confidence early.
NATALIE MEISLER
