Wyoming not shy about chances against CSU Friday
Wyoming played Texas tough for a half.
With as many mistakes as Colorado State made last week on the football field, it’s nice to see an opponent shoot themselves in the foot — before the game even starts.
Wyoming made a blunder of a PR move earlier this week by posting an order form for bowl game tickets on its athletics website. An order form for a 5-6 team; one win shy of eligibility, one game left to play and even if it were to get to 6-6, isn’t completely guaranteed a bid.
By Tuesday morning, a copy of the form could be found in each CSU player’s locker. For the 2009 revision of the sports fan’s dictionary, I hereby nominate Wyoming’s move be placed next to the entry for “bulletin board material.”
“That’s their choice,” said safety and Rams defensive captain Nick Oppenneer. “If they think that they can start selling those tickets, we’ll see. We look at that as disrespectful, and we’ll be ready. They better be ready too because we’re not going to let them come in here and walk out easy.”
It’s just what CSU needed. Your hated rival calling their shot, on your home turf nonetheless. The Rams, while aware of their current 3-8 record, are only focused on one thing now: ruin it for the Cowboys.
“The rivalry is good within itself,” said senior receiver Dion Morton, “But when you bring in their being able to go to a bowl, you do want to spoil their hopes. They’re your rival so you hope the worst for them.”
The teams will meet Friday afternoon in the 42nd annual Battle for the Bronze Boot, which Colorado State leads 21-20. The Rams will also try to defend a winning streak of their own, not losing at home to Wyoming since 1998. So to spoil the dreams of the enemy, send off the seniors in style and start spring ball with some momentum, here are three keys to beating the Cowboys:
ANOTHER SUB MUST START
Tuesday, Rams quarterback Grant Stucker was in sweats. As much as he wants to play his final game, the status of his shoulder injury is still up in the air. Backups Jon Eastman and T.J. Borcky have been taking the snaps in preparation for Wyoming, but with Steve Fairchild’s consistent stand on practice performance equals playing time, who knows who will be under center on the first drive.
If it’s Eastman, the junior must have a game much like his performance last week, just bigger and better. Against New Mexico, Eastman threw for a 54 percent completion ratio, with a touchdown, after replacing Stucker. Eastman should be familiar by now with the big game atmosphere, and draw on his experiences playing in the junior college championship game.
WORK THE EDGES FIRST
Wyoming runs a true 3-4 defense, which basically takes away the middle of the field with its extra linebacker. As a result, five of the top ten tackle leaders in the Mountain West Conference are from Laramie, and they all patrol the center of the field. The list includes both inside linebackers and both safeties.
To dissect the 3-4, Stucker, Eastman or Borcky will need to take advantage of a weaker pass rush and find receivers on the outside early. There should be no shortage of motivation from receivers Dion Morton and Rashaun Greer to get open, both playing in their last game. If CSU can establish a quick-passing game, it will open up the run. When a defensive scheme like the Cowboys’ is forced to defend the pass, the linebackers have to drop into coverage more quickly, leaving only three players on the line to run through. Then it’s time for hard-hitting back John Mosure to rush up the middle.
YOUNG, DANGEROUS OFFENSE
Wyoming’s roster is loaded with starters who are true freshman, and they still have managed to make it to 5-6. On offense, the young players have picked up Dave Christensen’s spread offense quickly. Three freshmen lead the team in production:
Austyn Carta-Samuels took over the starting duties at quarterback full-time a few weeks into the season, and since has been named MWC player of the week three times. An extremely accurate and efficient passer, Samuels only has four interceptions.
“He’s pretty smart with the ball, he puts it where it needs to go in an easy way,” said Oppenneer. “Hopefully we can catch him trying some different things or break on some routes and we’ll make a play.”
Alvester Alexander leads the Cowboys in rushing, with 474 yards and six touchdowns. Not far behind is Brandon Stewart, 403 yards and three scores himself. Stewart also lines up as a receiver, and has an additional two touchdowns from caught passes.
CSU will need to be prepared for a wide-open, unpredictable offense. Much like the one they ran earlier in the season. Injuries may have taken away some chances for CSU to run the crafty play in a game situation, but hopefully there was enough of it in practice to get the defense ready.
