Saturday night was a train wreck for the Colorado State Rams. Hawai’i, a 3 win team last season, came into Fort Collins and handed the Rams a loss in newly named Canvas Stadium. The Warriors offense marched down on the opening drive and scored the games first touchdown by converting a 4th down on the goal line. The Rams answered right back but after that, it was all Hawai’i until late in the 3rd quarter when K.J. Carta-Samuels suddenly looked like a big time QB. Down 37-7 in the 3rd, CSU chipped away at the deficit until they were down by 6 (40-34) with a few minutes to go. It was admirable how the Rams refused to quit but being in that situation in the first place should have Rams fans VERY concerned as I write this on an early Monday morning.
Let’s start with the defense; a unit that was suppose to see some improvement after parting ways with Marty English and hiring new defensive coordinator John Jancek. But the Rams could stop nothing. The first drive was pass after pass so CSU focused on stopping that on the second but then the Warriors ran all over them. For more than half the game, the Rams looked utterly and completely lost. Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald was a nightmare for Colorado State, rushing for 96 yards and 2 td’s while passing for 418 yards and 3 td’s. It seemed like it would never end, but thankfully, the Warriors took their foot off the gas and CSU took advantage of it, only giving up 6 in the 4th quarter. Top negatives? They had no pass rush, GIANT holes in the secondary and the ability to stay home and in position was not something the Rams were interested in doing. Positives? LB Josh Watson had 13 tackles, 1 pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. We knew he’d be the best thing about their D but we weren’t positive it would be the ONLY thing. If CSU wants a prayer against the Buffs this Friday, the Rams will have to make a big improvement or they’ll be facing an 0-2 record before Arkansas comes to town on September 8th.
Offensively there are a few reasons to be optimistic after witnessing a nice surge late in the 3rd and most of the 4th. Carta-Samuels looked rough at times in the first half with a few errant passes, misreads and failure to see the entire field. However, late in the game, he looked poised and was finding his receivers deep downfield. How much of that was due to the Warriors stepping back and playing prevent? I would say that had a lot to do with it but Carta-Samuels still has to make the throws which he did beautifully in the 4th. WR Preston Williams is a star…if he can keep his mind right. 9 receptions for nearly 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns showed Rams fans why this guy could be the next great CSU WR like Rashard Higgins and Michael Gallup. Bisi Johnson looked solid late as well with 6 catches for 157 yards and a couple of TD’s. Carta-Samuels set a new school record with 537 yards while adding 5 passing touchdowns to his night so the game was not a complete failure. Running the ball was an issue as well. Izzy Mathews had 63 yards on 15 carries. Without a solid rushing attack to start the game, the Rams were predictable early on. All in all I was thrilled to see the comeback but I have my reservations about them doing that for an entire game when defenses play them tighter.
Was Coach Bobo’s absence from practice an issue? I say yes but I don’t know that it was the deciding factor. Perhaps the Rams overlooked Hawaii but my gut tells me they are just not a good football team at this point in the season. Can they get better? They did last year but major concerns on the defensive side of the ball lead me to believe we are in for a rough year. With CU on Friday, Arkansas on Sept 8 and a trip to Florida on Sept 15, CSU could very well see an 0-4 record before taking on Illinois State later in the month.
