FORT COLLINS — Early in his career, New Mexico quarterback Donovan Porterie devised the perfect script for a 2-0 record against Colorado State. As a freshman and sophomore, he executed plays in the final seconds to set up game-winning field goals as time expired.
A big hurdle for CSU in its effort to pull out of a seven-game tailspin is the fact that few of the Rams have seen the senior Porterie on anything except game film or from the bench.
“I traveled to that (2007) game when I played special teams and saw him play and was excited to see what would happen,” CSU senior cornerback Nick Oppenneer said. “It would be fun to go against him.”
It doesn’t bode well that the statesman of the secondary hasn’t faced an experienced quarterback. CSU’s only other senior defensive starter, tackle James Morehead, played little as a sophomore.
Porterie tore up his knee in his fourth game in 2008 and didn’t play against CSU. Despite changes in offensive coordinators, and finally a coaching change from top to bottom, Porterie seems to be getting the hang of the Lobos’ diversified offense.
“We haven’t been consistent. The best thing Donovan does is he has tremendous arm talent,” New Mexico coach Kevin Locksley said. “He can make a bunch of throws. He’s accurate.”
Locksley has seen much better play management out of Porterie lately.
Porterie is positioned to attack CSU’s greatest vulnerability — its third-down defense. CSU ranks last nationally, yielding a 56.6 success rate to its opponents. This year on third downs, Porterie is 9-of-14 passes for 113 yards, two touchdowns and eight first downs. He has converted all three fourth-down attempts.
“It’s been awful,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said.
Although several Mountain West teams place in the bottom 10 of some NCAA statistical categories, no other MWC program is dead last.
“When you study games and look at stats, turnovers are big and third-down conversion is as important as it gets,” Fairchild said. “You’re either staying on the field or giving it back.”
Porterie has recovered from a tentative start on his surgically repaired knee. In the past seven games, he is averaging 247 yards passing with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He nearly stunned BYU a week ago.
The common problem for both teams is consistency. After nearly getting upset last week by the Lobos, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said: “In bits and pieces, I’ve been very impressed with them, and at times, their execution doesn’t enable them to pull ahead in those tough moments to win a big game.”
Natalie Meisler: 303 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
Three questions for CSU
1. With a bye week to work out some issues, can Colorado State finally stop another team on third down? New Mexico’s offense is deceptively last in MWC scoring and total yardage, but there has been marked improvement over the past few weeks. Lobos QB Donovan Porterie has torched CSU before.
2. Do T.J. Borcky and other freshmen/sophomores play to start preparing for next year now that there’s no bowl game this year? Steve Fairchild is looking forward to seeing what the QB/WR Borcky can do if he is allowed to concentrate at quarterback. But when the Bronze Boot is at stake against Wyoming in next week’s season finale, there will be no room for experimentation.
3. Can CSU’s receivers regain some confidence against a New Mexico defense ranked last in Mountain West pass defense? The Lobos’ defense has struggled in the transition of coaching staffs. New Mexico can still, however, pressure a passing game, with end Johnathan Rainey one of the few candidates for postseason honors.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
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