FORT COLLINS — Heading into the last half of the season, Colorado State’s practices remain remarkably upbeat for a 1-5 team with a 10-game Mountain West Conference losing streak.
“This is a great team, I’m telling you. We’re playing hard. I love these guys,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said.
Sometimes if a football team is struggling, practices resemble the enforced silence of a tennis tournament. The Rams, however, keep pushing each other to make plays and there’s no lack of sideline chatter or hustle to get on or off the field.
While the emphasis has been on CSU’s youth, particularly on the offensive line and at quarterback, there’s still some urgency for the seniors with six games left in their careers.
“I like their approach all along, the way (senior defensive captain and linebacker) Ricky Brewer and some of the guys have been in front,” Fairchild said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s a way for some of us to step back and say, ‘Look, regardless, let’s put something together here at the end and quit talking about how young we are.’ “
No longer a walk-on.
It turns out that return specialist and running back Derek Good, a former walk-on from Berthoud who had a breakout game at Air Force last weekend, was placed on scholarship at the start of the school year. He took over kickoff- return duties against the Falcons because Tony Drake was on suspension.
Fairchild said Drake will get some playing time Saturday against UNLV.
High-tech newcomer.
The official unveiling of Moby Arena’s new four-panel videoboard comes tonight for a volleyball match between 16th- ranked Colorado State and Texas Christian, but members of the media were given a sneak peek Wednesday.
Suspended over midcourt, the board has full video capability. That includes replays, crowd shots, player profiles and sponsor messages. It can also be used for remote broadcasts, such as postseason football or basketball games.
Individual player statistics will be displayed on panels at opposite corners of the arena.
There are also new boards and widescreen TV monitors located throughout the concourses so fans can buy their popcorn without missing any part of the game action.
CSU associate athletic director Doug Max said the estimated cost for the project was $1 million.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
