Last weekend, Colorado State seniors told themselves “enough is enough” and earned the Bronze Boot traveling trophy with a stunning 52-22 win at Wyoming. Saturday night, CSU went into Aloha Stadium prepared for winless Hawaii to play with the same level of resolve for homecoming.
Late in the first quarter, CSU held a 14-7 lead after a 5-yard touchdown run by Kapri Bibbs and a 73-yard fumble return by Max Morgan, who scored after a sack by Cory James caused Hawaii quarterback Sean Schroeder to lose the ball.
“Their players will say they’re playing a Colorado State team that’s been up and down, and this is their chance,” CSU coach Jim McElwain said last week.
Hawaii (0-6, 0-4 Mountain West entering the game) had been playing better of late. The Rainbow Warriors, under second-year coach Norm Chow, had lost their past three games by an average of just 5.7 points.
During preparations for Saturday’s game in Honolulu, Hawaii players didn’t sound discouraged. “This is a very important game for us,” said senior linebacker Art Laurel. “If we smack Colorado State in the mouth, I think we’ll be fine.”
Coaches prefer to say that every game is a “must-win” situation. For the Rams (3-4, 1-1 before visiting Hawaii), that was especially the case Saturday. After the game against the Rainbow Warriors, CSU has only five remaining regular-season games and the Rams must reach seven victories (because of their 13-game schedule) to gain bowl eligibility.
CSU hosts Boise State next Saturday in a 6 p.m. conference game at Hughes Stadium.
