FORT COLLINS — Saturday was a breakout game for Colorado State wide receivers Lou Greenwood and Thomas Coffman — just not a breakout win.
Greenwood, a junior converted running back, and Coffman, a redshirt freshman, became the deep receiving threat CSU has sought all season. Greenwood had a career game: six catches, 149 yards and touchdowns of 41 and 25 yards. Coffman added 92 yards on just two catches, including a 47-yarder.
But the Rams’ offense stalled on two drives in San Jose State territory and CSU lost 38-31.
CSU used the confidence-building schedule to go 3-1 in September with an erratic passing game. Saturday, the Rams shrugged off a 24-7 deficit and had little difficulty answering the Western Athletic Conference visitor with quarterback Pete Thomas going 28-of-43 passing for 387 yards and three scores.
“We made some plays,” CSU passing game coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt said. “We got some deep balls, which we hadn’t done all season. That was definitely a plus.”
Hammerschmidt said he saw a significant leap over last year’s late collapses.
“Last year we would not have made a comeback,” Hammerschmidt said. “We would have tossed it. I think we’re getting closer.”
CSU coach Steve Fairchild, who instead found legitimate fault with just 71 yards rushing, said, “(The receivers) showed up and obviously we needed them to show up every week.”
Greenwood was barred from talking to the media after some comments he made earlier in the week.
Said Coffman: “This team can beat anybody when we’re together, and we were 100 percent confident we could come back when it was 24-7. We just needed a little more.”
Heading into a bye week and the much more difficult heart of the Mountain West schedule, Coffman was certain there would be positives to take out of the loss.
“Pete Thomas is doing a great job,” Coffman said. “We’re really confident in where we’re going right now. There’s so much potential on this team. We can make a huge statement.”
The fact the receivers came through in the deep game and CSU rallied for the second straight week, if only to fall this time, created more reason for optimism.
“We can’t be moping like last year,” said Thomas, who had one of his better outings despite two interceptions. “We can’t overlook anyone.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
