Colorado State junior linebacker Tre Thomas watched the pass bounce off the hand of an Oregon State receiver and into the air Saturday. Shortly after, he scored the first pick-six of the college football season.
Thomas, a Denver native and former Overland High School standout, snagged the ball in mid-air and ran 44 yards for the score. It extended CSU’s second-half lead to two touchdowns in an eventual 58-27 victory.
“I actually didn’t know I had a chance to score,” Thomas said. “(Strong safety) Jamal Hicks made it possible. He made that block and made me have a clear way to the end zone. … I just seen (the tipped ball) and acted. I’m glad it came my way.”
Thomas’ interception was one of three total hauled in by the CSU defense on the afternoon, prompting Oregon State quarterback Jake Luton to tell reporters, “We beat ourselves too many times, stopped too many drives. We can’t put the defense in that position, so I think that was the biggest thing.”
CSU outscored OSU 34-7 in the second half, thanks in large part to a dominating defensive performance.
“I think we were largely able to capitalize on momentum that (the defense) created,” CSU quarterback Nick Stevens said. “My favorite play as a player is a pick-six by our defense. You put up points without having to go out there. The defense did an incredible job today.”
Heat plays a factor. The turf temperature at Sonny Lubick Field on Saturday was 117 degrees, according to the CBS Sports Network broadcast crew.
CSU tight end Detrich Clark: “Luckily, we got some clouds, but there were a couple times my feet were on fire.”
CSU receiver Michael Gallup: “Like (Clark) said, I took my shoes off like twice. They were burning up pretty bad.”
Rivalry game up next. CSU now shifts its focus to a 6 p.m. Friday kickoff against Colorado. The Buffaloes dominated the Rams a year ago, 44-7.
“Nobody likes getting embarrassed like that, I remember I almost cried after the game,” Clark said. “I think it’s more so just us being more mature than last year, like knowing where we’re supposed to line up. You can play a lot faster when you know what to do.”
Footnotes. CSU has now scored at least 50 points in three consecutive games for the first time in school history. … Gallup hauled in 11 catches for 134 yards, marking his sixth consecutive game hitting the century mark. … A total of 21 CSU players made their FBS debut Saturday, including 10 true freshmen.
