FORT COLLINS — Halfway through Steve Fairchild’s fourth season as CSU head coach, his team’s 3-3 record means different things to different people.
For those who yearn for a coaching change, it’s a sign of a mediocre season.
For those who see better days ahead — and certainly Fairchild is one — it is a sign of hope. His team is just one game off the pace it reasonably expected to be at. The loss to San Jose State at home remains the most obvious stinging defeat.
Stuck in a two-game losing streak and with a multitude of issues to iron out, the Rams’ goal remains becoming bowl-eligible. With six games left, three wins will get them there. CSU is at Texas-El Paso on Saturday night.
Asked where he sees his team at this point, Fairchild said: “I’d say the thing I like about the football team is the attitude, the effort. It’s really been a great group of guys to be around and coach. They want to do good. They care. When you have those types of teams, it’s the reason you coach.
“Probably the most disappointing is that we’re sitting at 3-3. I think we could be a little bit better than that. We’re still inconsistent on both sides of the ball. When we can play our way into being a more consistent football team, we can finish strong.”
A rash of injuries has been a significant issue.
“We’ve been a little bit up and down,” Fairchild said. “I’m never going to use the injuries as an excuse, but we’ve been a little bit up and down.”
Offense founders
The offense’s poor production has been the source of Fairchild’s biggest frustration. Across the board, CSU’s offensive figures are down from a year ago, except in scoring, where CSU is averaging about a touchdown more.
Following is a look, with last season’s ranking in parentheses:
98th in rushing — 113.3 ypg (93).
80th in passing — 209.2 ypg (58).
101st in total offense — 322.5 (83).
86th in scoring offense — 23.3 ppg (109).
The rushing game has been particularly maddening to CSU coaches, given the fact it has shown the ability to be an area of strength. But CSU has had just one 100-yard rushing performance and is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.
“It’s disappointing, to say the least,” offensive coordinator Pat Meyer said. “I’m hopeful that the next six games are going to be a different outcome in terms of run production.”
CSU’s passing game got off to a slow start, but has shown improvement as the season has progressed. Still, it’s nowhere near where CSU coaches want it. Sophomore quarterback Pete Thomas said improvement starts with him.
“I’ve progressed in some areas, but I need to keep improving in everything,” Thomas said. “I know I have a lot of work to do; this whole offense has a lot of work to do.”
Said Fairchild: “There’s a couple throws he’d like to have back. But I think for where he’s at as a true sophomore, second-year player, he’s done some really nice things this year. He’s going to be really good. We’re satisfied.
Defense dented
Defense was a clear strength through the first month of the season, but the Rams have been shredded in back-to-back losses to San Jose State and Boise State, allowing averages of 265 rushing yards, 331 passing yards and 50.5 points.
“What I don’t like is we’re falling into a lull here the last couple of weeks,” defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said. “I really thought the first four weeks we played at a level that was good for who we are. The last two weeks obviously we haven’t played that way. One, I think the opponent (Boise State) was just far superior to us, but we still could have played a lot better. I think we need to regroup, we’ve got to re-establish who we are, we’ve got to tackle.”
Defensive lineman Nordly Capi has been the breakout star and is among the nation’s leaders with nine sacks. CSU has also gotten solid play from linebackers Mike Orakpo, Shaquil Barrett and James Skelton.
“When you’re doing well, you’re tackling well,” Kerr said. “When you’re not doing so well those missed tackles start to show up. But it’s also just an energy and an effort thing.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
Three questions for CSU
Can CSU’s defense bounce back? It has been a rough go for the Colorado State defensive unit in October, even after it started the season well. The Rams have allowed an average of more than 50 points per game and have gotten ragged in areas in which they were solid through the first four games.
2. Will the offense put together a complete performance? We’ll just anchor this question for the weeks to come. It hasn’t happened yet, but coaches and players say they are close. This could be the week.
3. Will the Rams continue to be road warriors? CSU is undefeated (2-0) on the road this season. A win Saturday would mean CSU got out to its best road start since 2002. That season, the Rams won five times on the road.
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
