Sacramento State (0-1) at Colorado (0-1) 1 p.m., Folsom Field, Pac-12 Network (Comcast 430)
It didn’t take long for CU coach Jon Embree to remind his players that Sacramento State, though a FCS team and a member of the Big Sky Conference, upset Oregon State last year. “I told the team in the locker room (immediately after the loss to CSU),” he said. … The Buffs want better production from sophomore tailback Tony Jones (43 yards on 16 carries vs. the Rams). … Likely for the first time in school history, Colorado will start two true freshman cornerbacks, with Yuri Wright joining opening-game starter Kenneth Crawley. … In last week’s loss at New Mexico State, Hornets sophomore quarterback Garrett Safron was 23-of-35 passing for 308 yards and two touchdowns. … The programs have not played each other before, and the game came about two years ago when the Buffs were trying to fill their schedule with a sixth home game.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
North Dakota State (1-0) at Colorado State (1-0)5 p.m., Hughes Stadium, KTVD-20
If Colorado State is to be victorious, one of the first orders of business is to stop North Dakota State running back Sam Ojuri. The junior ran for 1,137 yards and 11 touchdowns last season in the Bison’s FCS national title-winning season. He rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown in NDSU’s 52-0, season-opening victory over Robert Morris last week. … Last week, the Rams held Colorado to 58 net rushing yards, the lowest opponent total in the past 34 games, since Weber State rushed for 58 on Sept. 12, 2009. … NDSU coach Craig Bohl is 76-31 in 10 seasons in Fargo and previously was defensive coordinator at Nebraska, where he played from 1977-79. … The Rams’ running game will rely on freshman Donnell Alexander, who is taking the place of injured starter Chris Nwoke (ankle).
Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post
Air Force (1-0) at No. 19 Michigan (0-1) 1:30 p.m., Michigan Stadium, KMGH-7
All three levels of the Air Force defense, from senior safety Brian Lindsay to senior linebacker Alex Means to senior defensive lineman Cody Miller, will come under fire from Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. Air Force coach Troy Calhoun says Robinson is as dangerous as any college player in the country. Last week against Alabama, Robinson accounted for 227 yards of total offense and a rushing touchdown. … Michigan RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, the team’s top tailback, has been cleared to play by coach Brady Hoke, who suspended him for the opener after he pleaded guilty to drunken driving. … Michigan beat Air Force 24-7 in 1964 in their only previous meeting.
Irv Moss, The Denver Post
Colorado Mesa (1-0) at Northern Colorado (0-1)1:35 p.m., Nottingham Field, ALT
UNC is still trying to get head cocoach Earnest Collins Jr. his first win, and odds are in the Bears’ favor. Northern Colorado is 12-5 in home openers at Nottingham Field and 6-0 all time against Mesa. Collins is 0-12 as the Bears’ coach. … UNC junior QB Seth Lobato is getting more comfortable in the passing game. In his first 194 pass attempts, Lobato threw eight interceptions; in his last 195, he has thrown just two. In last week’s loss at Utah, he was 10-of-24 for 74 yards. … Mesa had a strong running game last week in the loss at Humbolt (Calif.) State as sophomore RB Jake Cimolino had 17 carries for 125 yards and QB Deke Cisco had 76 yards on 23 carries.
Denver Post staff reports
Toledo (0-1) at Wyoming (0-1) 2 p.m., War Memorial Stadium
Last week in a 37-17 loss at Texas, Cowboys senior Ghaali Muhammad played in his first game since he suffered a season-ending knee injury in eighth game of last season against TCU, when he was a running back. By his choice, Muhammad has moved back to outside linebacker, where he played as a freshman and sophomore. He had two solo tackles. … The game will feature some talented quarterbacks. Wyoming’s Brett Smith ranks 26th in the nation in passing yards (276.0 yards per game) and 26th in total offense (294.0). Toledo rotates junior Terrance Owens and senior Austin Dantin. Owens ranks No. 6 in the nation in passing efficiency (169.2 rating), and Dantin is No. 20 (149.7).
Denver Post staff reports
