FORT COLLINS — Rare is the quarterback who talks of throwing a block as opposed to getting some blocking.
T.J. Borcky is indeed a rare breed of quarterback at Colorado State these days.
He is listed as a receiver, moving up this week from third to second team. In his first college game last week, he more often lined up taking the snap in the shotgun than being spread wide. He gained 10 yards rushing on one play and lost 8 on a sack. The redshirt freshman from Florida hasn’t attempted a pass — or caught one, for that matter.
But look for him to be on the field more Saturday when the Rams open Mountain West play against UNLV. Billy Farris remains the Rams’ starter, but more mobile backup Klay Kubiak and the wild card, Borcky, give CSU some diversity untapped in the first three games.
“We’re not making any lineup changes,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said after the Rams redeemed a disappointing practice Tuesday with a strong one Wednesday. But he said he wants to use those who played more, specifically Borcky, for more extended time.
“I’m very excited whatever I can do,” Borcky said. “Any role they need me to play — whether quarterback, receiver — it doesn’t matter. Blocking too. It’s not about just catching the ball. Whatever role I need to play, whether catching the ball or throwing a block . . .”
Quarterbacks coach Daren Wilkinson described Borcky as “Slash.”
“We can do a lot with T.J. He’s such a good athlete, we have to find ways of getting him on the field,” Wilkinson said. “He runs routes well, catches well and he can chuck the ball. He’s too good an athlete to be on the bench.”
This could be a critical game for Farris. UNLV’s secondary, normally loaded with exceptional athletes, has struggled this season. It could be a big confidence builder for Farris, especially a week ahead of a TCU defense that has stopped the Rams cold three straight years.
Wilkinson said he had a heart-to-heart chat with his quarterbacks before Wednesday’s practice.
“It’s a matter of Billy and the others getting themselves ready to win a football game and not just go to practice,” Wilkinson said.
Opponents, expecting the run, have been loading up against the Rams. Although Gartrell Johnson and Kyle Bell have had some success, the Rams are 102th (out of 119 teams) nationally at 109.3 yards rushing per game.
Johnson is preaching patience with the entire offense.
“This is a pro-style offense,” he said. “It’s not going to take one spring a year of two-a-days. It’s something you’re going to have to install in your body and your mind.”
Footnotes.
CSU offensive guard Adrian Martinez (knee) will be a game-day decision. Linebacker Ricky Brewer (ankle) is probable.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
The Lowdown
By Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
UNLV (3-2)
Player to watch: QB Omar Clayton.
The former walk-on has 12 TD passes, had a streak of 173 throws without an interception (which ranks second to Florida’s Tim Tebow) and has a three-deep receiving corps led by Casey Flair. Clayton rushed for 135 yards against the Rams last season.
Key for Rebels: Mental toughness.
UNLV faces a delicate task to get back in the game mentally, especially on defense after being pummeled for more than 600 yards last week by rival Nevada. UNLV had two huge overtime wins, then appeared deflated a week ago.
COLORADO STATE (2-2)
Player to watch: WR Rashaun Greer.
The Las Vegas product just might want to show something to his hometown school. The junior leads the Rams with 25 catches for 359 yards but is still looking for his first career TD.
Key for Rams: Passing boost.
CSU should have no trouble running on UNLV, but the passing game is in severe need of a confidence boost. The Rams have not been able to take advantage of turnovers the past two weeks.
