CSU wins big at home, thanks to five Nevada turnovers
CSU quarterback Grant Stucker finishes his fourth-quarter, 35-yard touchdown run with a dive into the end zone. (CSU photo)
The Colorado State Rams are 3-0 for the first time since 1994 after beating up on favored Nevada, 35-20.
Saturday afternoon’s contest wasn’t as close as the score indicates, with two of Nevada’s scores coming late in the second half against the Rams’ second-teamers. CSU started fast, thanks to a Nevada fumble at its own 23-yard line. RB John Mosure, held out last week because of a concussion, needed only four carries to get into the end zone, part of his 99-yard day. The Rams scored again on their next possession, and again WR Dion Morton threw a touchdown pass on a trick play. After taking a lateral, Morton found TE Eric Pietz wide open for the score.
Colorado State held onto this 14-0 lead through the rest of the first half. The dangerous Nevada offense continued to struggle as it did against Notre Dame. Wolfpack QB Colin Kaepernick had only 37 yards passing before halftime.
Nevada looked poised for a comeback at the beginning of the third quarter. It adjusted to the running game, leaning on RB Vai Taua, who had 45 yards rushing in the first drive of the half, including a 31-yard score. After a missed extra point, the score was 14-6 Rams. Colorado State’s defense then clamped down, securing interceptions on the next two Nevada drives, and then recovering a fumble to make three consecutive Nevada turnovers. CSU turned each recovery into a touchdown, making the score 35-6 late in the fourth. Turnovers were the killer for Nevada, which totaled five giveaways in the game.
Taua scored again with just over three minutes left, and a two-point conversion made it 35-14. Nevada got the ball back again for a final two-minute drill and drove 79 yards, ending on a touchdown pass by Kaepernick to WR Brandon Wimberly as time expired. Although an impressive drive, it was never enough to overcome the hole the turnovers caused.
Rams QB Grant Stucker had a good day moving the ball, completing 10 of 20 passes for 165 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The defensive standout for Colorado State was again CB Elijah-Blu Smith, who recorded his third interception in as many games, along with five tackles.
