MOSCOW, Idaho — For one football game, at least, Colorado State moved a step closer to separating its running back rotation.
Early-on starter John Mosure, freshman Lou Greenwood and junior college transfer Leonard Mason were subbing out on every play Saturday night against Idaho.
Then Mason gradually made it impossible for the Rams’ coaching staff to pull him from the lineup.
Mason ran hard for 51 yards on nine carries by halftime. He finished with 86 yards on 19 carries. Greenwood caught four passes for 74 yards, and Mosure had nine carries, including a direct snap out of a wildcat formation, for 41 yards.
Greer recovers.
After a week of torment for Rashaun Greer over two near catches deflected for interceptions, he was in the starting lineup with Limon walkon Tyson Liggett and senior Dion Morton.
The latter two caught first-half touchdown passes from Grant Stucker. Greer missed a wide-open scoring opportunity but did finish with a team-high 125 yards on seven catches. Morton had 60 yards on three receptions.
Top secret.
CSU did not announce its injury list until just prior to the game. Defensive end Zach Tiedgen, a redshirt freshman from ThunderRidge High School, made his first start in place of the ailing Ty Whittier. The regular starter has been plagued with a neck stinger most of the season. His usual backup, Eugene Daniels, is out with a knee injury.
True freshman C.J. James saw extensive work on the defensive line.
Another redshirt freshman, Chris Gipson, started at middle linebacker in place of Alex Williams, who injured a knee last week. Wide receiver T.J. Borcky made the trip but did not play. He has been hampered by a severe ankle sprain.
Footnotes.
CSU volleyball coach Tom Hilbert flew in Saturday morning and served as a tour guide for Rams fans. Hilbert coached at Idaho before joining the CSU staff. . . . Former CSU men’s basketball assistant Don Verlin is the Vandals’ head coach. He was at the CSU team hotel to visit the few remaining administrators from his stint with Stew Morrill. . . . Idaho coach Robb Akey is a Colorado Springs Wasson High product.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
