FORT COLLINS — There are few quicker ways to deflate a team than by seizing a turnover and scoring on the next play.
There are few more efficient ways to interrupt another team’s momentum than an immediate turnover exchange.
For Colorado State, cornerback Momo Thomas’ interception of a Tyler Hansen pass was the difference between a potential Colorado rout and a merely convincing win. Either way, CSU was going to lose. This way, there was one bit of cheer in the film room.
According to the unwritten rule book, CU went deep immediately after Jalil Brown intercepted CSU freshman Pete Thomas on a rare CSU entry into Buffs territory.
Instead of scoring, Hansen’s pass, which was his longest throw in the game, was swiped deep by Thomas, who returned it 20 yards to the Rams 40. With 50 seconds left in the first half, CU was looking to increase its 17-point lead.
“The biggest thing is he competed hard,” CSU cornerbacks coach Tim Duffie said of Thomas. “Obviously at corner, we made some mistakes and he didn’t play perfectly on defense. For the most part, he competed the whole time he was on the field.”
Thomas’ time also included three punt returns for 44 yards.
“For us to win games, we’ve got to play well at corner, and that starts with Momo having to play great,” Duffie said.
Thomas’ big play, which was his third career interception, was a start in the season opener. The Rams face a potentially explosive attack Saturday night at Nevada.
“We just needed to make a big play; we were trying to give the offense the ball back,” Thomas said. “It was a good play. Every corner wants to get a pick.”
Thomas, from Kissimmee, Fla., showed glimpses of a bright future as a true freshman in 2008. He was listed as Gerard Thomas then, but was the guy known by his teammates and coaches as Momo who started the last 10 games of that season.
Besides defense and special teams, Thomas has made a big a contribution helping persuade fellow Floridians they too could survive Colorado winters and see early time on the playing field.
He’s already playing better than he did a year ago, when a knee strain slowed him down and kept him out of the game against Nevada.
Duffie expects more out of Thomas.
“He’s got to come out and play hard, not just good; he has to play great to be successful,” Duffie said. “He’s striving to make improvements, and that’s hard to do at corner.”
Nevada has a history of having productive wide receivers, including NFL veteran Nate Burleson, 5,005-yard career receiver Trevor Insley and 4,249-yard receiver Geoff Noisy.
Although the Buffs’ rejuvenated receiving corps gave the Rams secondary a workout, Thomas said: “(Nevada’s) receivers are just as good as CU’s receivers. It just comes down to playing your man and fundamental football.”
The future Mountain West crew is favored by 23 1/2 points over the struggling MWC charter member. The Rams’ losing streak is at 10, dating to last season. CSU’s last win on the road was the 2009 season opener at Boulder.
“They’ve been able to turn it around,” CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said of Nevada. “That’s what we’re looking to do, just get back on the winning track.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
Three questions for CSU
1. Can CSU put together a semblance of a running game? Last week’s 49 net yards won’t cut it. Redshirt freshman Chris Nwoke will be added to the rotation, and a mostly new offense has a full game of experience. Nevada gave up 162 yards last week to Eastern Washington on 28 carries (5.8 yards per tote).
2. Will CSU be able to at least partially contain Nevada senior quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his run/pass quick-strike ability? The Rams’ defense showed some flickers of hope, but one of the key players, linebacker Mychal Sisson, will be a game-day decision because of a sore knee. Kaepernick had 306 yards passing last week and led the team with 60 yards rushing.
3. How will CSU freshman quarterback Pete Thomas rebound from his three interceptions in last week’s debut? He needs to loosen up the defense by going deep. No one caught a pass longer than 18 yards against CU.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
