FORT COLLINS — Colorado State’s football team practiced Tuesday. It was the Rams’ second day of practice this week.
During a week when giving thanks takes center stage, the Rams are thankful they are getting an extra day to prepare for Saturday’s home game against Air Force, which has an option-based offense.
The Rams usually don’t practice on Monday, but because of the holiday and no classes this week, CSU was able to start on-field preparations for the Falcons a day early.
“It’s real valuable,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said. “Their offense is very different from anything we see the rest of the year. So the challenge is not only on your defensive game plan and getting ready on one-week notice, but also getting a ‘look team’ that can simulate that. That’s always a challenge on both sides of the ball when you come into Air Force week, getting the players the look they need to get ready for the game.”
Fairchild said the Rams (3-7, 1-4 Mountain West) won’t be motivated by the knowledge that they can keep the Falcons (6-5, 2-4) from bowl eligibility.
“It makes it an extremely important game for them, obviously, but our approach and so forth is not going to change just because they’ve got something riding on the line,” Fairchild said. “It’s all about us and getting better this week and trying to do the things we have to do to play our best game on Saturday.”
Richburg update. A broken right hand has ended Weston Richburg’s season at center. So he is playing offensive tackle.
Richburg suffered the injury Nov. 12 against San Diego State. He tried snapping the ball with his left hand but wasn’t effective. CSU made him a starting tackle, and he will stay there with a cast on his right hand.
Of Richburg’s performance last weekend against Texas Christian, Fairchild said: “That was an event for him; he did a nice job, though. He is a tough guy. Weston certainly plays the game the way it is supposed to be played. You talk about a team player, a guy who can cast that up and go out there and play on the edge against those defensive ends, that was admirable.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
