SALT LAKE CITY — Anyone can argue whether Colorado State running back Leonard Mason could have made a difference against Utah on Saturday.
The Rams displayed a rushing attack in the last two weeks with Mason seeing his first starts of the season. In a surprise move this week, redshirt freshman Chris Nwoke drew his first career start.
Rams coach Steve Fairchild insisted it was a decision based on performance in practice and meetings. He denied there were any off-the- field disciplinary issues.
No one seemed more surprised than Nwoke. “Before the game they told me to be ready,” the ThunderRidge product said.
Mason was averaging 6.3 yards a carry and exceeded 100 yards in each of the last two weeks. Before he came on, CSU was last in the country in rushing offense.
Nwoke caught eight passes for 49 yards and netted 48 on the ground.
Meanwhile, CSU sophomore defensive end C.J. James made his first career start against the Utes. Broderick Sargent, the regular at the position, didn’t practice until Thursday because of a concussion suffered last week. He was cleared to play but did not.
Utah-Wyoming, deju vu.
Colorado State was stunned when Utah took a 14-3 lead and immediately came back with the onside kick. Kicker Joe Phillips recovered, but the Rams held Utah to a field goal.
In 2007, Utah’s score was in the 40s when the Utes kicked onside against Wyoming. Then-coach Joe Glenn responded with a well- known gesture .
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said special-teams coach Jay Hill saw vulnerability. “We were tempted to open the game with it, but opted to wait until our second or third kickoff,” Whittingham said.
Numbers game.
Utah is undefeated the last two times it’s had a 7-0 opening lead.
