FORT COLLINS — Mired in a 1-8 season with a clouded future, Colorado State linebacker Ricky Brewer plays with a veteran’s abandon and a freshman’s undaunted optimism.
He’s been surrounded by hype since he was the marquee name on the 2006 signing list, a Mullen star who changed his commitment from Colorado. After a solid spring and preseason Mountain West defensive freshman of the year acclaim, Brewer is living up to his billing.
They just don’t hand out many postseason awards to players on 1-8 squads.
“I don’t think about that kind of stuff,” Brewer said. “The key for me is playing for the guys. If I’m good enough to be on the team and good enough to get on the field and do what I need to do, make plays and know my assignments, that’s award enough for me.”
A broken finger in warm-ups prior to the second game hampered his progress. CSU coach Sonny Lubick often has said he likes tough guys, and Brewer made a big impression getting the finger stitched and coming out ready to play, although he was kept on the sideline.
He also found competition from junior-college transfer Curtis Cornelson, who started the opener. Once Brewer earned the start against San Diego State, he became a fixture in the lineup.
Brewer led the Rams in tackles (nine) in the one win at UNLV. There’s little doubt he will reach double figures in one of the last three games.
“The best thing for him was realizing at the beginning of the year that you’ve got to work and know what you’re doing,” defensive coordinator/ linebackers coach Steve Stanard said. “He learned that. He worked at it.”
Back when CSU made regular runs at bowl games, underclassmen typically looked up to the seniors, vowing to do the same when they took over leadership.
“This is a great learning experience for me and some of the other guys,” Brewer said. “Unfortunately for the seniors, they don’t have next year. If I go out there and do whatever I can do for the seniors, it will be a decent accomplishment.”
Although the results haven’t shown in the win column, Brewer is boosted by the improvement made by the linebackers as a group – with Jeff Horinek and Jake Pottorff. There have been a myriad of breakdowns throughout the offense and defense. Yet when one area is emphasized in practice, it usually improves in the next game. Last week the defense was maligned for getting overrun. The Rams clamped down on BYU, only to see the pass defense lapse.
This week’s opponent, New Mexico, is capable of exploding either on the ground or in the air. It all has been a learning experience for Brewer – one he compares to school when one class needs more attentions.
“It’s the same with football,” he said. “We made BYU a one-dimensional team by stopping the run, but we gave up too much in the pass.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295. nmeisler@denverpost.com
