LAS VEGAS — Colorado State began the second half of the season minus-6 in turnover margin, just one of many explanations for an 0-6 record.
By the time the first half ended against UNLV, with CSU in command 24-3, the Rams had recovered two fumbles and two interceptions, with Darryl Williams scoring CSU’s second defensive touchdown in as many weeks with a 30-yard interception return. Williams also prevented a UNLV score in the second quarter with a pick at the CSU 6.
Not that CSU was flawless. A 70-yard pass connection from Caleb Hanie to Damon Morton ended when Morton fumbled and Daryl Forte recovered on the 2.
Ill wind. Fort Collins and Laramie can no longer stake their claims as the most wind-blown stadiums in the Mountain West.
Not long after CSU and UNLV kicked off in ideal 80-degree weather just before sunset, a shrieking wind came down from the north near the end of the first quarter. CSU called a time-out just before the end of the quarter to get one more play in with the wind at its back.
Front Range winds scatter dirt and sometimes snow. In the desert, it was one big sand blast.
Conditions negated much of a passing threat by either team.
No longer perfect. Jason Smith, who converted his first six field-goal attempts this season, found no friend in the wind. He was wide left from 42 yards and short on 45 yards into the wind.
Lineup changes. Colorado State and UNLV kept each other guessing with a slew of game-day personnel decisions.
UNLV true freshman quarterback Omar Clayton, more inclined to run than throw the ball, drew his first career start in place of gimpy Travis Dixon. Clayton ran for 59 yards in the first quarter.
CSU’s secondary, decimated by injuries and illnesses, gave walk-on Steve Juedes his first career start at safety. Defensive tackle Blake Smith, who watched practice in street clothes Tuesday with a sprained ankle, played but did not start. Mike Pagnotta, who had missed nearly a month with a sprained ankle, saw his first action.
Devoted following. There were more CSU fans at Sam Boyd Stadium to start the game than there were at the end of the game at Hughes Stadium a week ago. Between CSU fans on the Front Range seeking a trip to Las Vegas, as well as California- and Las Vegas-area alumni, it was the biggest road tailgating party of the year. Cam, the live ram mascot, made the trip.
