FORT COLLINS — If Jim McElwain takes the usual route of rebuilding a program from the inside out, he had better hire the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild Colorado State’s offensive line. That is, if Friday’s first public scrimmage of the McElwain era is any indication.
One offensive touchdown. Twenty-seven sacks.
That’s right. The four quarterbacks were mercifully off limits for contact, but sacks were counted whenever a defender reached them before they passed. Some were on them before they breathed.
“You only had (27)?” McElwain deadpanned to the media afterward. “I had 32.”
Regardless, it’s an indication of McElwain’s massive reconstruction job, let alone the free fall from his previous post at national champion Alabama. The returning quarterback, Pete Thomas, transferred to North Carolina State, meaning McElwain must break in a rookie behind a line with three returning starters and more questions.
“Is it a concern?” McElwain said. “Obviously, you’re going to correct the mistakes and see how they battle back. The positive is we don’t have to play anybody next week.”
On the plus side, senior Pete Kontodiakos, a second-team all-Mountain West punter, had some booming kicks, and sophomore quarterback Garrett Grayson hit 11-of-21 passes for 101 yards.
Of course, the defense shined. Senior end C.J. James had five sacks, and freshman linebacker Cory James returned an M.J. McPeek interception for a touchdown and had two sacks.
“For what it’s worth, I don’t think I’ll throw myself into Horsetooth (Reservoir) right now,” McElwain said.
CSU’s next public scrimmage will be at 6 p.m. Friday at Infinity Park in Glendale.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
