The Colorado State Rams (3-0) finally played a full game and it showed as the Rams won 35-20 over the Nevada Wolf Pack (0-2). The CSU defense created 5 turnovers on the day. CSU is off to a 3-0 for the first time in 15 years.
Grant Stucker accounted for three scores, one via a 35 yard rushing touchdown on a keeper. WR Dion Morton caught a touchdown and threw for another, his second in as many games. John Mosure looked good in his return with 99 yards on 18 carries with 1 touchdown.
The Rams defense was stellar allowing six points, the second string defense gave up the last 14 points in the 4th quarter. The run defense gave up yards as I expected but created enough turnovers, three fumbles and two interceptions, that Nevada could not sustain any long drive or a comeback. The Rams were ahead 14-0 in the first quarter with only 6:30 off the clock.
Nevada ran well as expected but Colin Kaepernick had a rough day with two interceptions and getting sacked twice. Vai Taua had a decent day with 95 rushing yards and a touchdown.
On defense the Wolf Pack had a hard time containing CSU as they threw a few gadget plays at them as well as some hard nose running by Mosure and Leonard Mason. The Nevada defense let Stucker get out of the pocket for 43 yards on the ground.
This next section is a thumbs up, thumbs down look at the Rams effort. For those of you who don't know who Fum McGraw is click his name for a little history.
Fum Would Be Proud of the Rams defense. FIVE turnovers! That is huge. CSU should be able to beat just about anyone when they force five turnovers in a game. Their hands were active during tackles and they pressured Kaepernick into some bad throws. Here is the Nevada first half drive results; fumble, punt, punt, punt, fumble.
Fum Would Be Upset at the Rams Kick Coverage. The kick coverage was pretty poor as they allowed 32.4 yards per kick return on the day, Mike Ball had 98 yards on two returns. Ben Deline also kicked one out of bounds for an illegal procedure call. They were lucky the defense was up to the challenge as the Wolf Pack started 5 drives within 60 yards of the goal line.
Fum McGraw Motivating Player of the Game is Grant Stucker. He ran when he needed, was accurate when needed, and most of all kept the offense moving all game. Stucker lead the Rams to 5 of 11 on 3rd downs which is much better than before. He only went to the air 20 times but had 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions. If Stucker keeps that up the Rams will be winning a few more games this year.