FORT COLLINS — The Leonard Mason mystery is solved.
The tailback who had jump-started Colorado State’s running game was benched last weekend for being late to a team meeting.
CSU coach Steve Fairchild continued to be evasive Monday about why Mason sat out Saturday’s game at Utah. An injury or nonfootball incident had been ruled out by Fairchild.
Then, not long after the coach’s weekly news conference, the school announced through spokesman Zak Gilbert that Mason was benched in Salt Lake City for being late to a team meeting.
Mason will have to earn back his playing time. CSU (2-6, 1-3) plays winless New Mexico at home this week. The loser is all but guaranteed to finish in the Mountain West Conference basement.
CSU’s running game barely factored this season until Mason started the Air Force game, his first extended action of the season. He had back-to-back games of more than 100 yards, but Chris Nwoke drew the start against the Utes.
Nwoke added more of a pass-receiving dimension out of the backfield with eight catches for 49 yards. He averaged 3.2 yards on the ground.
“Chris had a good week of practice, and he deserved a chance to go in there and play,” Fairchild said. “I like what Chris brings. He brings an energy and confidence. He’s a play-hard kind of guy, and I like the way he practices and plays.”
Original starting tailback Raymond Carter might return from an injury. But Fairchild said Nwoke, a redshirt freshman from ThunderRidge, would start if the New Mexico game were tomorrow.
Look at the Lobos.
Based on his first glimpse of film on the struggling Lobos, Fairchild said: “They are one of those teams that is ready to put it all together. We certainly respect them and will take this game very seriously.”
Confidence OK.
Fairchild denied any fragility in the Rams’ confidence after their 59-6 pasting at Utah. “We still believe we can win every game. I believe that if we continue to practice like we have been, we can give ourselves a good chance to do that.”
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
