FORT COLLINS — On Colorado State’s first play of the game, quarterback Billy Farris made a statement. He threw to tight end Kory Sperry, who was all but missing in action in the season opener.
Typical of the day, a holding call brought back the 10-yard gain and then some. No matter. Sperry finished with five catches for 62 yards and a 22-yard touchdown to signal his return from knee surgery a year ago.
Although the receivers posted some impressive numbers, led by Rashaun Greer’s nine catches for 152 yards, it was far from a perfect day. There were numerous drops, including one by reserve tight end Adam Seymore in the end zone, several by Damon Morton, and offsetting penalties which nullified an early fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Morton.
“It’s frustrating but it happens,” Farris said. “We were really good at times, we were really shaky at times.”
Sperry said much of the credit for improvement in the offensive attack went to Farris. “He was a whole different quarterback today,” Sperry said. “His eyes were a little bigger last week. He’s gained some confidence.”
Greer blamed CSU’s slow start on “a momentum thing. We probably started a little slowly.”
New starters.
True freshman linebacker Michael Kawulok and sophomore offensive guard Connor Smith made their first career starts. They replaced Mychal Sisson and Shelley Smith respectively, both out with ankle injuries. Sisson eventually entered the game.
Cornerback vulnerability.
Defensive coordinator Larry Kerr knew he would have a learning curve with two freshmen at one corner spot in Brandon Owens, a redshirt, and Gerard Thomas, a true freshman.
Owens was burned on the first touchdown by Sacramento State, and both were victimized by Hornets receivers.
“Coming into the game we thought that we could expose them at corner due to the fact that they are young there,” Sacramento State coach Marshall Sperbeck said.
Kerr said, “Every cornerback is going to get beat,” and Owens immediately understood his mistakes.
Footnotes.
CSU didn’t punt for the second time in nine games, the last a 45-21 loss to Air Force last season. . . . The Rams started a tradition of walking through the Ram Town fan area prior to the game. . . . Farris’ 321 yards were the most by a CSU quarterback since Justin Holland’s 381 in the 2005 Poinsettia Bowl loss.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
