FORT COLLINS — Most Colorado State players will have family members greet them in Las Vegas today. Only wide receiver Rashaun Greer and injured cornerback DeAngelo Wilkinson, if he makes the trip, can call it home.
A year ago, Greer had a career game with 211 yards on eight catches against UNLV in Fort Collins to set the table for second team all-Mountain West honors. This year has been more of a struggle for Greer with missed opportunities. He hopes to get the Rams (3-6) back on track at Sam Boyd Stadium, where CSU broke out of a two-season, 13-game skid in 2007.
“It means a lot more. The last time I didn’t play. This time, I’m going to start.” Greer said earlier this week. Besides immediate family, he will have friends and coaches from Mojave High School. He could have signed with the Rebels but wanted a change of environment. Now he said he misses home only during snowstorms.
“I’m sure he’s looking to have a big game with all his family there,” CSU running back Leonard Mason said. “He’s going to be ready.”
After finishing third in MWC receiving yardage in 2008 (24th nationally) with 85.7 yards a game, Greer admits to being frustrated with inconsistency this season. He’s averaging 64.4 yards a game for sixth in the MWC. Only 11th in MWC receptions, he has the longest average yards per catch (18.7) among the top 10 receiving leaders.
Even when the Rams were winning in the first month, Greer was missing catches. Then, two bounced off him for BYU interceptions.
Greer considers the season a learning experience in life.
He and receivers coach/offensive coordinator Greg Peterson worked tirelessly on getting Greer out of his funk, mechanically and mentally. Then Peterson was reassigned this week to recruiting-only duties by head coach Steve Fairchild.
In a nutshell, Greer admitted he violated the cardinal rule of receiving. “I was looking to start running before I could catch it,” he said.
Two years ago, CSU came to Las Vegas looking to break a long losing streak.
“This time, we know we’re a good team,” Greer said. “We know we can win. We’ve let some slip away.”
Players insist they are looking ahead, not back on the past six weeks.
“If you dwell on the past, you haven’t thought about the future,” linebacker Mychal Sisson said.
Added Greer: “There are still a lot of positive attitudes. We’re not getting down. We still have a chance to win these last three games and finish .500. It is not like everyone is wanting the season to be over with.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
