FORT COLLINS — Except for one historical footnote, Colorado State’s big senior class with high aspirations can’t do much about its legacy now: four years, one bowl, no record over .500.
The seniors can, however, leave the field for the final time as winners, something no CSU senior class has accomplished since the 2001 New Orleans Bowl.
Back then, there was a postgame party on Bourbon Street as the Mountain West runner-up.
If CSU (2-9, 1-6) regains the Bronze Boot from Wyoming today, the Rams can at least scatter home for the rest of the holiday and hope UNLV loses to New Mexico, preventing CSU from tying for the cellar a second straight year.
More so, returning players might spend the weekend glued to their cellphones awaiting any word on the future of coach Sonny Lubick. With recruiting season starting next week, decisions by Lubick and/or the administration could be made sooner than later.
“I’m not thinking about anything other than coaching as I always have been,” Lubick said earlier in the week. He said he probably won’t think about it Friday, either. “When I see those Cowboys uniforms, that gets me fired up.”
Each of the past five years, CSU has finished on a low note, either losing its bowl game or its regular-season finale.
“There is something to be said about winning your last game, regardless of what has gone on thus far this season,” said defensive end Jesse Nading, who will make his 40th career start. “It’s our last opportunity to go out as winners.”
Nading is one of 11 seniors plus two alternate receivers in their final game at Hughes Stadium. They range in experience from defensive tackle Blake Smith (41 career starts) and quarterback Caleb Hanie, the Mountain West pass-efficiency leader with 28 starts, to linebacker Nathan Pauly, making his third straight start after a shoulder injury wiped out most of his career.
These Rams will wonder for years why, with all their experience, they couldn’t put together a better record.
“That is a good question,” wide receiver Damon Morton said. “I honestly don’t know. It’s been a whole lot of different things. I wish we had an answer after the second or third game.”
Wyoming coach Joe Glenn echoed every other CSU pregame opponent this year: “You watch CSU play on tape and there’s no quit in them.”
Since throwing four interceptions against Air Force, Hanie has had just two picks the past four games. He needs 78 yards to pass Bradlee Van Pelt for fourth place on the school career passing list.
Although many will graduate next month, there aren’t many defined career plans. Most are planning postseason regimens for a crack at the next level.
“I’ll be working out next Monday getting ready for the combine or pro timing day,” said Morton, who has a preliminary questionnaire for the East-West Shrine Game.
WYOMING (5-6, 2-5 )
Player to watch:
CB Julius Stinson
Latest in a long line of outstanding CBs for the Cowboys. He has five interceptions and nine for his career. He was one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award. Stinson is also fifth nationally in passes defended with 17.
Key to win for Wyoming:
Find its feet
The Cowboys need to get back to the running game that had been so effective earlier in the season with Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon. Rams’ inconsistency against the run has been CSU’s biggest liability all season.
COLORADO STATE (2-9, 1-6)
Player to watch:
QB Caleb Hanie
Hopes to go out a winner for only the ninth time in his 2 1/2-year starting career despite impressive stats that lead the MWC in pass efficiency. Has shown remarkable poise down the stretch. Biggest challenge is keeping the ball from Stinson.
Key to win for CSU:
Watch the pass
Rams catch a rare break for its decimated safety roster because Wyoming QB Karsten Sween is no threat to run the ball. CSU has had problems in recent years on Senior Day, and the Ram veterans can’t let their emotions get in the way.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
