The time has come.
At 3-5 overall, the Colorado State Rams have made an official switch at quarterback, from K.J. Carta-Samuels to Collin Hill, per head coach Mike Bobo. Bobo announced that move during his weekly press conference which is also broadcasted live on CSURams.com every Monday.
Carta-Samuels has started all eight games for the Rams this year, and the redshirt senior graduate transfer formerly of Washington has played very well considering he’s new to the team and the offense. Carta-Samuels has compiled 2,172 passing yards, completing 61.4 percent of his passes, for 18 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
For the most part, he’s made solid reads and decisions, though, at times he’s forced passes which have turned into picks. Following the win over New Mexico on Oct. 13, Bobo called Carta-Samuels “a gambler.”
In the blowout 56-28 loss to Boise State, CSU’s starting quarterback went 19-30 for 238 yards and two scores, but his two interceptions likely cost him his job in that game. Redshirt sophomore Hill came in during the fourth quarter and shined.
Hill went 12-14 for 135 yards and one score, which is great production, even if it was garbage time at that point. Hill, who sustained a second torn ACL in February, finally looked healthy for the first time all year and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start the rest of the season. He’s played in spot duty all year, going 25-48 for 288 yards with two touchdowns and one interception on the season.
In fact, our Eddie Herz called for Hill to start the rest of the year today in his column, and it may just come true.
The Rams have to go 3-4 down the stretch of this season to become bowl-eligible, which is a long shot, but it is possible. Can Hill — who was named a team captain before the season even though he was injured — spark a fire and help the Rams go on a run?
We’ll have to wait and see.
Hill did enjoy a career-high in completions and yards against Wyoming in 2016, which is a possible positive this week.
Hill will lead the Rams offense on Friday night as Colorado State (3-5) hosts Wyoming (2-6) at 8 p.m. MT. The Border War is the longest-played rivalry game east of the Mississippi in all of college football.