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The Colorado State Rams’ impressive 2013 New Mexico Bowl comeback was not to be replicated, as they fell 31-28 to the Marshall Thundering Herd on Saturday in the 2017 edition of the bowl. The loss brings CSU’s final 2017 record to 7-6.
The Rams found themselves trailing 31-14 late in the third quarter, but strung together a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives that brought them back within a field goal. After an impressive stand by the defense, the Rams got the ball back with 3:18 remaining and picked up a pair of first downs to approach midfield. On fourth-and-five with 1:38 on the clock, senior quarterback Nick Stevens had his pass attempt batted back to him and was tackled for a loss, ending CSU’s valiant comeback attempt.
Stevens finished the game—his final as a Ram—with 320 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and a pair of rushing touchdowns. He attempted a career-high 52 passes, as the Rams managed just 70 yards rushing on 31 attempts.
Junior wide receiver Olabisi Johnson led CSU with 119 yards on six catches, while senior Detrich Clark was on the receiving end of both touchdown passes. Consensus All-American and Biletnifkoff Award finalist Michael Gallup finished with six receptions for 68 yards to set a CSU single-season receptions record with 100.
The Rams’ leading tackler on the season, junior linebacker Josh Watson, was forced to sit out the first half as a result of a second-half targeting penalty in the previous game, but still finished with six tackles and a sack. Sophomore linebacker Max McDonald led all Rams in the game with nine tackles, including 2.0 for a loss. Junior safety Jordan Fogal and sophomore cornerback Anthony Hawkins logged interceptions, and senior linebacker Evan Colorito raised his team-leading sack total to a career-high 5.5 for the season.
With the season finished, the Rams’ coaching staff resumes its final push toward the new early signing period for prospective student-athletes that begins on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Watch CSURams.com and @CSUFootball on Twitter for extensive coverage.