Fort Collins
Defensive tackle is often considered the most difficult position to adequately fill at any level. In the Mountain West Conference, it has been such a challenge some teams have abandoned the 4-3 scheme in favor of the 3-4 to take advantage of the greater supply of linebackers than defensive linemen.
Colorado State, too, has had its recent share of struggles filling the line, and its record has reflected that. Hopes for a turnaround this season center on a much improved defensive front.
The Rams have veteran tackles in seniors Blake Smith (35 games, 31 starts) and Erik Sandie (33 games, 13 starts) and junior Matt Rupp (24 games, five starts), a group as interchangeable as a wide receiver rotation.
“The coaches are saying everyone is going to follow the D-line, and that’s how we want it,” Smith said.
The three stalwarts in the middle came from nationally prominent high school programs. Sandie was graduated from Concord (Calif.) De La Salle in the middle of the school’s national record 151-game winning streak. Smith played for a Tulsa Union state champion, a regular in USA Today’s national top 25. Rupp attended Santa Margarita Catholic in Southern California, a Division I-A pipeline with an alumni list led by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer.
“The nice thing about it is they all have different personalities. They all bring something different to the game,” CSU defensive line coach Jesse Williams said. “They understand they have that drive. They want their last year to be the best year.”
Given the players’ prestigious high school backgrounds, Williams said CSU’s failure to compete for the MWC title in recent years was a slap in the face.
“(That) didn’t set well with them. They knew they had to be better for us to be better.”
The three were among the leaders in offseason workouts. Smith took his workouts to another level by taking martial arts classes. Rupp has always been a workout fanatic. His father, Hank, who often comes to preseason practices, said when his son was younger, discipline meant depriving him of the home workout equipment instead of bans on TV.
Sandie’s teammates dubbed him “The Beast” despite his cherubic face framed by blond curls. He’s usually the comedian of the group. Smith, who prefers the bald look, is the serious one. Rupp falls in between.
Only Sandie (6-feet-2, 296 pounds) approaches the latest standard of 300 pounds for defensive tackles. Rupp follows at 6-3 and 272 pounds, and the 6-2 Smith has actually trimmed a few pounds to 257.
“A lot of times people get caught up in prototypes that a guy has to be 6-3, 305,” Williams said. “The biggest thing you have to do is execute, and all three of those guys execute. The nice thing about those guys is all three have motors. I’d rather have a motor than a 300-pound guy. You always play to your strength and that is the strength of that group in they have motors.”
Although Sandie specializes at the nose tackle and Rupp at defensive tackle – with Smith used at either position – the three-man rotation allows for fresh legs.
“In a nine-play drive, we want people to look to us and see we’re not tired,” Sandie said.
As good friends and teammates, they subject each other to unmerciful teasing. Rupp still hasn’t heard the end about his college debut against Montana State in 2004: He was knocked out cold on the opening kickoff.
“He had a whole year of trash talking,” Sandie said. “Montana State isn’t even a Division I-A team.”
Rupp recalled letting up on the kickoff return when he saw his teammate take a knee in the end zone.
“Their guy didn’t slow down and he hit me right in the chest,” Rupp said. “I hit the turf and was knocked silly.”
He would be a senior this season with the other two but he took a medical redshirt in 2004. While he is happy to have the extra year, he knows how much he will miss the others next season.
As freshmen and sophomores, all three got playing time in what was the team’s weakest link on defense. The Rams were run over in several games, with their rush defense among the worst in Division I-A.
“Sometimes you have to go with sophomores or freshmen and you really fall off,” CSU coach Sonny Lubick said. “With these guys there is no fall off whatsoever.”
Sandie and Smith are on track to graduate in December. Rupp has a career goal of following his father into the legal profession.
This year’s seniors represent the first class at CSU without a league championship ring since Lubick’s inaugural 1993 seniors.
“I personally hate losing,” Sandie said. “You can’t call yourself a football player (if you lose). A losing season is the worst feeling in world. Getting out of that and getting the program back on the right track with a conference championship is our goal.”
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
ABOUT THE RAMS
COACH SONNY LUBICK, 15TH SEASON (105-65) | 2006 RECORD: 4-8, 1-7 MOUNTAIN WEST
WHAT’S NEW
After a decade-long “sabbatical,” Dave Lay returns as co-coordinator to breathe some fire back in the offense. RB Kyle Bell looks as good as new after missing the 2006 season because of knee surgery. Among redshirt freshmen, LB Ricky Brewer, CB DeAngelo Wilkinson, TE Nick Eaton and OL Brian Lepak have the best opportunities for playing time.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
If the Rams can get out of September no worse than .500, CSU can gather some momentum starting with two straight home games in October. The Rams should have the run/pass balance this time around to prevent defenses from loading up on the pass. CSU’s veteran defense could surprise as one of the better units in the MWC.
PREDICTION
2-2 is a best-case scenario for September. If the Rams are to make a run for the MWC’s top division (a bowl berth), back-to-back games at BYU (Nov. 3) and New Mexico (Nov. 10) might determine postseason plans. 7-5 overall, 5-3 MWC.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
TE Kory Sperry, Sr.
Has all the talent and size to dominate at his position. He has to get the job done.
QB Caleb Hanie, Sr.
Savors senior leadership role and is working on breakout season.
WR Damon Morton, Sr.
Bidding for go-to tag among a balanced receiving corps.
LB Jeff Horinek, Jr.
Two-year starter returns linebacking corps to its good old days.
DT Blake Smith, Sr.
Should be in double-digit tackles for loss.
