SALT LAKE CITY — Colorado State has a new backup, but not necessarily a quarterback controversy.
Grant Stucker, a fourth-year junior from Ponderosa High School, went in for CSU’s final possession with 4:36 left in the game. It was the first game for Stucker, who had started the fall in a battle with Billy Farris. With second- and third-team players in the game, Stucker moved the Rams into scoring position but couldn’t connect with Tyson Liggett as time expired.
CSU coach Steve Fairchild had said in practice late in the week that backup Klay Kubiak lost his hold on the backup spot.
For his part, Farris stood in the pocket under pressure and completed 19-of-33 passes for 166 yards and one interception. His only score came on the first drive, a 29-yarder to Dion Morton.
“I definitely felt I had something to prove today,” Farris said.
Farris didn’t hide his frustration with getting benched a week ago for Kubiak in the TCU loss. Quarterbacks coach Daren Wilkinson said Stucker had the better week of practice among the backup candidates.
Defensive report.
Klint Kubiak, the older brother of Klay, missed his second consecutive game because of an ankle sprain and did not make the trip. In Kubiak’s place, Jake Galusha led the Rams with 15 tackles.
Go, Utes.
With Utah having the Mountain West’s best shot at making a BCS game, CSU athletic director Paul Kowalczyk said before Saturday’s game that afterward he would become Utah’s biggest fan. Utah still has to play TCU, also unbeaten in the league, and Brigham Young. The conference will collect nearly $10 million with a team in one of the five BCS bowls.
Footnotes.
CSU has scored on its opening drive in three consecutive games. . . . Utah’s 549 yards was a season high. . . . CSU reserve linebacker Curtis Cornelson left the game early with a head injury. . . . Rams tight end Kory Sperry moved into the school’s top-10 career list for receptions with 125. . . . Rams place-kicker Jason Smith kicked a career-best 52-yard field goal in the third quarter.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
