FORT COLLINS — After Colorado State went through a “mock game” at Hughes Stadium Thursday afternoon, essentially rehearsing game conditions and personnel deployment, Rams coach Mike Bobo confirmed the current makeup of the No. 1 offensive line — the likely starting unit in the Sept. 5 opener against Savannah State.
It mirrored the unit that had been working together during team drills in the open part of practice this week and included redshirt sophomore Zack Golditch from Aurora’s Gateway High School at left tackle. There, he succeeds Ty Sambrailo, the Broncos’ second-round draft choice this year now starting for Denver.
Also, sophomore Jake Bennett, the Bear Creek High product who started at center for three games in 2014 before suffering a season-ending knee injury, is at left guard.
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Former walk-on Kevin O’Brien, who stepped in for Bennett last season, is at center.
On the other side, Fred Zerblis remains at right guard and Sam Carlson, listed as the starting left tackle heading into preseason drills, is at right tackle.
Bobo added that three other linemen — Nick Callender, Trae Moxley and Colby Meeks — are getting some work with the top unit and are contenders for playing time and insurance in case of injury.
The CSU coach said that Golditch, played in four games in 2014 as a backup, “is doing good.” Bobo added, “He still makes some mistakes for a young guy, just communication and some techniques on his sets, but I believe he can be a very good player is he sticks to the process and is healthy and buys into what (offensive line) coach (Will) Friend is saying. But I think he’s strong. He’s doing a nice job.”
Golditch was among the 70 wounded in the in July 2012. He was one of only three victims whose injuries were involved in lesser charge guilty verdicts for the convicted killer of 12. James Holmes was found guilty of second-degree attempted murder in two separate counts tied to , Gage Hankins and McKayla Hicks. All three were in a theater next to the one in which the 12 murders occurred and were wounded when struck by fragments that went through the wall.
Bobo also announced that tight end Kivon Cartwright, Carlson, safety Kevin Pierre-Louis and running back Eric Williams would serve as captains for the Sept. 5 opener against Savannah State.
Colorado State to play Florida on Sept. 15, 2018
Meanwhile, USA Today reported the date for the CSU road game against the Gators in Gainesville that was part of the $7 million buyout settlement on Jim McElwain’s CSU contract. The Rams will play at Florida on Sept. 15, 2018. As previously agreed, CSU will receive $2 million for the game.
“That was all part of the gig,” McElwain told reporters Thursday. “I’m excited about it. I know that they’ve got really good players and they’ll come in and beat our tail when that time is.”
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.com or twitter.com/TFrei
