SAN ANTONIO — That wasn’t the defense Colorado State had come to expect.
The Rams entered Saturday night’s game against Texas-San Antonio averaging just 129.3 yards rushing allowed per game, but the Roadrunners had almost that much by the end of the first quarter.
By the end of the game, UTSA had gashed the CSU defense for nearly 300 yards rushing — including an 85-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by Jarveon Williams, who finished with 170 yards on the ground.
After not allowing a point during the first quarter all season, the Rams gave up a long scoring drive to UTSA to open the game. The Roadrunners went 78 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead.
The Rams had a lot of missed assignments on defense overall, and they missed tackles. They allowed the Roadrunners to extend drives by converting half their third-down plays. Even good plays by CSU turned bad at times, as Martavius Foster chased down UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz for a sack that would have killed a drive, only it came with a face-mask penalty. That set up a 13-yard scoring run on the next play.
A bright spot for CSU’s defense came a drive prior, when Bogenschutz scrambled out of trouble and threw a pass that DeAndre Elliott picked off. It was Elliott’s second interception of the season, but he’s the only CSU defensive player with a pick.
The Rams’ defense did score, forcing a holding penalty in the end zone in the first quarter. That produced a safety and a brief 9-7 lead.
Higgins update. All-America wideout Rashard Higgins rose to third in CSU history for career receptions (184) and yards (2,899). He is tied in receptions with Jeff Champine, who played for the Rams from 1980-83, and his yardage passed Champine.
Higgins has a chance this year to reach the top spot in both categories, already holding the Rams’ career record for touchdown catches with 25. The only former CSU players in front of Higgins in both categories are Greg Primus (194 catches for 3,263 yards, 1989-92) and David Anderson, who has both records (223 for 3,634, 2002-05).
CSU schedule (2-2)
Sept. 5 Savannah St. W, 65-13
Sept. 12 Minn. L, 23-20 (OT)
Sept. 19 Colorado L, 27-24 (OT)
Sept. 26 at UTSA W, 33-31
Oct. 3 at Utah State TBA
Oct. 10 Boise State 5 p.m.
Oct. 17 Air Force 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 31San Diego St. 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 7 at Wyoming TBA
Nov. 14 UNLV 5 p.m.
Nov. 21at New Mex. 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 28 at Fresno State 7 p.m.
