FORT COLLINS — Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild said he never considered giving backup quarterback Jon Eastman his first game experience as the Rams barely held on for a 24-23 win over Weber State.
Starter Grant Stucker was only 10-for-23 passing, but caught a 40-yard touchdown pass on a double reverse and tossed a 2-yarder for the game-winner with 8:31 left in the game to tight end Eric Peitz. Stucker finished with 203 passing yards, a big chunk on a 57-yard reception by Rashaun Greer. Although Greer finished with six catches for 162 yards, Stucker missed him on several open opportunities.
“Grant made a couple of errors, but he was the least of our worries today,” Fairchild said.
Lucky break.
CSU reserve linebacker James Skelton was in the game late for his interception only because starter Mychal Sisson had broken his chin strap.
While Sisson went to the bench for a repair, Skelton intercepted a Cameron Higgins pass and returned it 18 yards to the CSU 44. The pivotal play set up CSU’s last scoring drive.
Injury update.
Offensive guard Shelley Smith (ankle) and running back John Mosure (concussion) did not dress for the game. Cornerback Gerard Thomas left with an undisclosed injury.
Series of firsts.
CSU’s first possession saw a number of individual firsts: Running back Leonard Mason made his first career start. After Fairchild promised all summer that fullback Zac Pauga would get a carry, Pauga picked up 4 yards. The drive finished with Stucker catching his first career pass.
Before the first quarter ended, freshman running back Lou Greenwood had his redshirt pulled and walk-on Chad VanderMolen took over kickoff duties from Ben DeLine.
Still tweeting.
Some wondered if Fairchild would be sending out halftime messages from the locker room if CSU was trailing. The answer was affirmative.
He had one of the sports information department students tweet that the Rams had too many first-half penalties (5-66) and had to play better in the last 30 minutes.
One of the few apparent consequential defensive plays by CSU before halftime, an interception by DeAngelo Wilkinson, was nullified by a roughing the passer call. Weber State scored on the next play.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
