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The Colorado State Rams improved to 4-2 (2-0 MW) on the season with a resounding 27-14 win over MW Mountain Division foe Utah State on Saturday in Logan, Utah. The game marked the fourth time this season that the Rams have eclipsed 500 yards of total offense, and the 212 yards allowed were their fewest surrendered to an FBS opponent since 2013.
Senior quarterback Nick Stevens threw for 293 yards on 22-of-31 passing, with two touchdowns. He was able to connect with eight different Rams, including senior wideout Michael Gallup who led the team with 88 yards receiving. CSU’s rushing attack was led by the dynamic duo Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews who rushed for 121 yards and 84 yards, respectively, with Matthews finding the end zone near the end of the first quarter. Despite being ranked first nationally in turnovers gained, Utah State’s defense failed to produce a turnover against the Rams.
“Our guys executed really well, jumped out to the big league,” head coach Mike Bobo said after the game. “We wanted to take advantage of that wind in the first quarter and then we were able to hold on.”
Colorado State’s offense was unstoppable to start the game, scoring on its first four possessions with two of those drives covering 80 or more yards. At the end of the half, the Rams accumulated 295 total offensive yards while allowing Utah State just 46 total offensive yards.
During its first five drives, Utah State failed to sustain a drive that lasted for more than four plays and was ultimately forced to punt for 10 series in a row. On the Rams’ first punt of the game, Utah State’s DJ Nelson blocked punter Ryan Stonehouse‘s punt and returned the block for a touchdown. It would be the Aggies’ only points until the 2:51 mark of the fourth quarter.
Defensively, CSU dominated the line of scrimmage, generating a total of 13 tackles for loss with a season-high seven of those being sacks. Sophomore defensive end Arjay Jean led the Rams with six total tackles, a forced fumble and a career-high two sacks. True freshman Emmanuel Jones recorded his first career sack and finished the game with two total.
The Rams will return home next week to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack in Colorado State’s first on-campus homecoming game since 1967. Kickoff is slated for 8:15 p.m. and the game will air nationally on ESPN2.
