FORT COLLINS — Kyle Bell’s much-anticipated return this season is a microcosm of the misery endured by a winless Colorado State team.
It started well enough. Bell’s 40 carries in the opener remains tied for second most nationally in a game this season. He ran for 137 yards and a TD, but the Rams came up short against Colorado in overtime. He then had a 102-yard day and two scores as the Rams scared Cal but still fell.
Since then it has been diminishing returns – including an agonizing 9 yards at TCU.
The final blow came when Gartrell Johnson started ahead of Bell in Saturday’s loss to Air Force. Johnson had 143 yards on 25 carries; Bell got in for 30 yards on eight attempts.
This wasn’t what Bell has had in mind during an excruciating year divided between the training room and weight room.
He insists he hasn’t lost a step to the ACL injury suffered right before the 2006 opener.
At times, he doesn’t appear to have the same explosiveness to the line. Defenders have been waiting for him. There have been series where the offense has gone predictably with two runs by Bell, bringing up third-and-long.
“I feel like I’m the same player physically, and I’m doing the same stuff I did two years ago,” Bell said. “It’s just a different situation. It’s a different team. We’re still fighting.”
Whether Johnson’s success lit a new fire under Bell or the Rams (0-6) finally found an advantageous matchup against Air Force’s run defense, Bell looked like the Bell of old on a few carries.
“You always want to start,” Bell said.
During the preseason, he grinned through countless interviews, giving time to discuss the long road back and his optimism for the season.
He’s not smiling very much these days.
“Kyle doesn’t have the same edge, but he’s getting it,” running backs coach Mick Delaney said. “On a couple or three runs Saturday, I saw it. He did have that quickness, that burst to the line of scrimmage. … It’s coming. Not near as fast as he’d like it, but it’s coming.”
In some ways Bell said it reminds him of his sophomore year, when he didn’t draw his first start until the third game and responded with 183 yards against Nevada. He finished the 2005 season with 1,288 yards and a 4.7-yards-per-carry average.
“It is frustrating,” said Bell, who has 425 yards this season on 123 carries (3.5 average). “Still you go out prepare the same way.”
In Bell’s absence a year ago, CSU’s season total as a team was 918 yards rushing, and no back had a 100-yard day. Johnson, who started seven games last season, led the team with 305 yards (2.8 average) behind a woefully inexperienced interior offensive line.
With Johnson sidelined early this week because of a twisted ankle, Bell was back to getting most of the work in practice. When he plowed in the end zone on a goal-line drill, the offense celebrated as if it were the real thing. He has three TDs in six games this season.
Delaney said Saturday’s starter will depend on who is healthy. Other than the ankle sprain, Johnson didn’t do anything to lose his first start.
A different defense awaits in UNLV, led by Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year frontrunner, linebacker Beau Bell.
Delaney made the switch last week, he said, because “You’ve got to do what you think is right and productive.”
“Kyle has had a whole bunch of opportunities. He’s getting better by the week,” Delaney said. “Kyle Bell is not out of picture by any stretch. You always hope that it’s a competitive deal.
“Kyle, there’s not better kid in the whole wide world. It’s about competition. He knows that. He comes to practice and works twice as hard.”
CSU coach Sonny Lubick, who couldn’t wait to see Bell back on the field this season, said, “Kyle’s one of the hardest workers we have on the football team, but I think that we’ll try to give someone else a little shot.
“We still feel a huge obligation to Kyle – he’s done a great job. Sometimes you get in the game and the blocking’s a little cleaner or something, but there’s no doubt Gartrell ran the ball pretty darn hard. … And you have to give someone else an opportunity if we’re not moving the football as well as we should.”
As for the starter going into the second half of the season, Bell said: “I don’t care if I find out Saturday morning, I still prepare the same way. Every day is a new day coming out and just practicing.”
Footnotes. With wide receiver Johnny Walker (knee) sidelined, sophomore Las Vegas product Rashaun Greer may get his first chance to contribute. Offensive tackle Brian Lepak moves over to guard in place of Scott Benedict (toe).
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
The Lowdown
By Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
COLORADO STATE (0-6, 0-3 MWC)
Player to watch: LB Jeff Horinek
The rushing defense needs some confidence after last week’s assault by Air Force. Horinek has been the steadiest player on the injury-depleted defense. He’ll take on a load in the form of UNLV’s 5-foot-10, 240-pound tailback, Frank Summers.
Key for the Rams: Hanie rebounds.
The Rams’ running game might not have as much success as it did last week, but Caleb Hanie needs to bounce back from four interceptions. UNLV is the only MWC team CSU has defeated since 2005.
UNLV (2-5, 1-2)
Player to watch: LB Beau Bell
The MWC defensive player of the year award is his to lose with the disappearance of TCU’s Tommy Blake. Bell (6-3, 240) pared some weight in the offseason. He has forced four fumbles.
Key for the Rebels: Fresh feeling.
UNLV might start a true freshman QB in 6-0, 185 pound Omar Clayton. Defense has its usual strong secondary, which could take advantage of Hanie’s recent accuracy problems.
