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Fast start
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The Rams were on the scoreboard just 43 seconds into the season opener when Kevin Davis recovered an errant Savannah State snap in the end zone. It was the second-fastest score to open the season in CSU history.
“It was weird how their first two snaps were over their head,” Davis said. “… To start off the game like that it gave the defense a boost, and it gave the offense a boost as well.”
The fastest CSU score in a season opener came in 1996 against Tennessee-Chatanooga when Moses Moreno connected with Jeremy Calhoun on an 80-yard touchdown just 10 seconds into the first game of the year.
Defense strikes first
Davis’ fumble recovery for the touchdown marked the fourth time in school history that CSU’s first points of the season came from the defense.
The first instance came in 1975 when Steve Krum returned an interception 28-yards against BYU in the second game of the season. The Rams had been held scoreless in the opener against then No. 12 Texas.
It happened again in 1990 when Robert Stratman recovered a blocked punt in the end zone against Air Force. The most recent occurrence – prior to the 2015 opener – was in 1999 when Rick Crowell returned an interception 54 yards to the house in a 41-14 blowout win against then No. 14 Colorado in the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
New kickers are no “Kicker”
The absence of Jared Roberts, the man former CSU head coach Jim McElwain referred to only as “Kicker”, was particularly noticeable in Saturday’s opener.
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Kickoffs repeatedly sailed out of bounds, allowing the Tigers to start numerous drives from the 35-yard line. Though it made no difference in the SSU game, those mistakes could be costly against FBS opponents.
Wyatt Bryan made the only field goal of the game from 31 yards out, but he also missed an extra-point and was wide right on a 42-yard field goal attempt. Kyle Jacobs’ first kickoff attempt was practically a ground ball.
The lack of a reliable kicker could be the difference in tight games this season for CSU.
Orange you glad to be the Aggies?
CSU remains undefeated in orange.
Formerly known as the Colorado A&M Aggies prior to 1957, the Rams donned their pumpkin and alfalfa uniforms in honor of Ag Day.
The team is now 6-0 when wearing orange uniforms in “Orange Out” games. The win also marked the 500th in program history.
Collegian Sports Editor Emmett McCarthy can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @emccarthy22.
