ALBUQUERQUE — It took a minute for Nordly Capi to get a minute to himself. He was the man of the hour, and with good reason.
The sophomore defensive end had a day to remember in CSU’s 14-10 win over New Mexico, forcing an NCAA-record four fumbles as the defense led the way. He added 3 ½ sacks. Overall, the unit registered a school-record 10 sacks.
Capi, who was a bit player last season as a freshman, wasn’t about to accept all the praise.
“I was so successful because the D-line, as a unit, we worked at the pass rush and schemed against them very well,” he said. “So it really wasn’t an individual effort. It was a great team effort. We got great pressure up front, so (New Mexico quarterback Tarean Austin) couldn’t really step up. And then when I got up the edge, I was able to sack him thanks to my D-tackles and opposite end, keeping him in that pocket.”
Joe Brown the go-to guy.
It was so fluid, it appeared scripted to the max. But it wasn’t. CSU quarterback Pete Thomas and fullback Joe Brown connected on seven passes. Brown’s catch total was a career high. In fact, he had just one catch in 2010.
Against New Mexico, however, he looked every bit the part of a go-to guy.
“They were kind of giving us the shorter passes, and that’s my kind of thing,” Brown said. “I’m not going deep. Me and Pete having been working all preseason on getting our timing down on routes. It worked out good today, so it’s very exciting.”
Rough special teams.
It wasn’t all roses for the Rams, not by a longshot. Special teams were a sore spot as normally reliable place-kicker Ben DeLine missed two field goals, punter Pete Kontodiakos ripped off a 19-yard effort and had just a 34.8-yard average, and Momo Thomas fumbled on a punt return.
Asked what, if anything he would say to DeLine, CSU coach Steve Fairchild shrugged.
“Keep his head up and let’s go,” Fairchild said. “He’s a better kicker than that.”
Injuries.
Defensive end Broderick Sargent left in the first quarter with a knee injury that will be evaluated again. Asked what the injury was, he said, “They’re not sure yet.”
