Fort Collins – After two weeks of watching horror films – the short, visceral clips of Colorado State’s breakdowns in the first two games and a prolonged gorefest of Houston’s explosive offense – CSU safety Mike Pagnotta just wants to hit someone.
Hitting is what Pagnotta does best. He leads the Rams with 16 tackles, eight in each game.
The problem this week is catching the target.
Houston’s Anthony Alridge (5-feet-9, 175 pounds) ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards with 292 yards rushing, 137 receiving and 32 on kick returns for a 230.5 average. That is just ahead of Arkansas’ Heisman Trophy candidate, Darren McFadden. The Cougars senior posted a 60-yard scoring run and 86-yard TD reception against Oregon. He had a 49-yard touchdown reception against Tulane.
“He’s a little scatback. He’s fast,” Pagnotta said. “He’s a small guy; those are guys toughest to tackle. You can’t tackle them low, (they) juke all over the place, and you can’t tackle him high. We need to tackle as a pack.”
Big plays against their defense haunted the Rams through two games. First, CSU couldn’t get off the field when Colorado kept converting third-and-longs. Against Cal, the Rams were stung by a 73-yard wide receiver run off a reverse and a 64-yard dash by Cal’s backup running back.
“Big plays have been an emphasis for us,” Pagnotta said. “That and turnovers. I think we’re really close as a defense. … We have good chemistry on defense. Guys communicate well. Everyone plays for the guy next to him. We’re real close to being a real dominant defense.”
Houston coach Art Briles noted in his weekly news conference: “Their effort is the first thing you notice, especially from the defensive side. Offensively, they’re very precise, very patient, which is a little unusual in today’s game.”
Some of that precision comes from running back Kyle Bell’s ability to blast through a seam. The Rams haven’t encountered an opponent with a Bell-type power back. No worries, Pagnotta said. Scout-team running back Alex Square gives the starting unit all the looks needed for a scatback.
Besides Alridge and Houston’s unconventional offense, CSU’s biggest task Saturday will be coping with the heat (low 90s forecast) and humidity. Pagnotta is convinced the Rams have the depth on defense to keep players fresh.
Whether the offense or defense pulls CSU out of the nine-game losing streak, time is growing short to make adjustments heading into Mountain West Conference play, which begins next week at TCU.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
The lowdown
COLORADO STATE (0-2)
Player to watch | RB Kyle Bell
Once again he will have to serve as the defense’s best friend by grinding out the clock to keep Houston off the field.
Key for the Rams | Force turnovers
Houston’s two glaring weaknesses are net punting (last in the country with 18.6) and turnover margin (116th out of 119) at minus-2.5. CSU’s biggest emphases in practice during the past two weeks have been special teams and forcing turnovers.
HOUSTON (1-1)
Player to watch | RB Anthony Alridge
Only 5-feet-9, 175 pounds, he’s fourth nationally in rushing at 146 yards a game. The senior has two career 200-yard-plus outings and averaged 10.1 yards per carry last season.
Key for the Cougars | Turn up the heat
Just as the weather is getting fall-perfect here, Saturday’s forecast is for 93 degrees and more humidity than ever experienced in this state. Rams have been vulnerable to the big play, and Alridge is a big playmaker.
