FORT COLLINS — Either Colorado State defensive coordinator Larry Kerr is a superb actor or he’s a coach totally obsessed with this week’s opponent.
Asked Monday if Saturday’s game against Nevada and next week’s game represented the best back-to-back quarterbacks the Rams will face this season, Kerr said with a straight face, “Who do we play next week?”
That would be BYU, led by senior quarterback Max Hall.
The task this week is stopping Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick, who is a threat to run the ball and throw it. He comes off a 1,130-rushing year and Western Athletic Conference offensive player of the year honors.
Kerr is encouraged by the depth developing up front and a pass rush that is much better than it was a year ago. He was not happy about his team’s missed tackles in Saturday’s 24-23 escape of Weber State.
Not that the offense was flawless, either.
“We certainly didn’t take a step forward in terms of production,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said.
Much of his concern was with third-down conversions. CSU was 0-for-8 there.
Nonetheless, he said senior quarterback Grant Stucker is further ahead at this point in the season than Billy Farris was a year ago.
“This guy can be something, then there are always a couple of plays you want back,” Fairchild said.
Footnotes: Fairchild said he expects running back John Mosure will play Saturday. He has been out since halftime of the season opener with a concussion. … Starting cornerback Gerard Thomas had a precautionary MRI on his knee, and Fairchild said he doesn’t expect Thomas to play. Offensive guard Shelley Smith (ankle) continues to make progress, but Fairchild wouldn’t commit to a return date.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
