FORT COLLINS — Win or lose, Houston couldn’t wait to get home Saturday night.
The team spent only one night of the past nine at home because of a week of practice in Dallas to avoid Hurricane Ike and its aftermath.
“When we told them Thursday we were going home, they were cheering like crazy,” said Houston defensive coordinator John Skladany, a former CSU assistant.
The football-only week wasn’t distraction-free. Skladany said some players’ off-campus apartments were victimized by looters.
Running game update.
Nick Oppenneer, CSU’s starting cornerback and special-teams holder, had the best rushing average for the day at 14.0.
He ran for a first down on a botched snap when the Rams lined up for a 47-yard field goal. It was CSU’s best special-teams play of the day. Oppenneer is a former Columbine High School quarterback.
It was CSU’s only successful fourth-down conversion in three attempts.
CSU alternated starter Gartrell Johnson and backup Kyle Bell on every series at running back. Bell’s 14 carries for 64 yards were his most since last season.
Forgotten man.
CSU punter Anthony Hartz didn’t come into the game until the third quarter, giving him eight quarters since his last punt in the season opener.
Injury report.
Cornerback Brandon Owens left the game with an ankle injury and was replaced by true freshman Gerard Thomas. Offensive tackle Mark Starr left with a knee injury. Both are questionable for Cal.
Milestones.
Houston quarterback Case Keenum, who came in averaging 380.3 yards passing and nearly 50 yards rushing, finished with negative-5 yards on the ground while hitting his passing yardage average on the number. … Wide receiver Dion Morton established a number of career highs and firsts with five catches for 126 yards and a pass attempt off a reverse. He said that way opponents will wonder whether he will throw or not when he takes the reverse. . . . CSU has won four straight at home for the first time since 2005. . . .. PK Jason Smith, who broke an arm a week before the season started, came in to kick extra points.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
