FORT COLLINS — Before criticizing his players, Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild handed out credit.
Wide receivers had only six of the 22 completions thrown by sophomore quarterback Pete Thomas during the Rams’ season-opening, 14-10 victory at New Mexico.
“A little of that, I’m going to give their defensive staff credit,” Fairchild said. “They had a nice plan.
“We probably came in under one train of thought and then had to adjust. But they did a nice job.”
Junior Lou Greenwood led CSU wideouts with three catches for 43 yards. Freshman Lee Clubb had two catches for 3 yards. Junior Marquise Law had one catch for 5 yards.
As the Rams prepare for their home opener Saturday against Northern Colorado, they will be trying to get their wideouts more involved.
“We’ve got to do that,” Fairchild said.
Still, the Rams won’t force the football to anyone just to say they tried. Many of the team’s better receivers this season are tight ends, fullbacks and running backs.
“We know our makeup this year is a little more inside,” Fairchild said. “We like our inside receivers and our backs, so that’s going to be a bigger part than it’s been. But having said that, we know we have to get the wide receivers involved.”
Bring on the Bears.
In 17 tries, Northern Colorado never has beaten CSU in football. Fairchild plans to make sure the Rams don’t overlook UNC (0-1 this season) with the Colorado game on deck the next week.
“I don’t think we’re the type of team that can overlook anybody,” Fairchild said. “I’m sure if you’re the University of Northern Colorado, this is a big game for you. It’s a chance (for the Bears) to make a statement. I’m sure they look at it as a winnable game.”
Footnotes.
Nordly Capi was named the national defensive player of the week Tuesday by the Football Writers Association of America. The sophomore end forced four fumbles against New Mexico, setting an NCAA record. . . . Capi came in for junior end Broderick Sargent, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against New Mexico. Sargent will have surgery soon, and CSU plans to apply for a medical redshirt, which would restore his junior season. “But regardless, he’ll be back next year,” Fairchild said. “He’s a high-character kid, good student.”
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
