Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Opens Final Week of Regular Season
11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2005
Colorado State has plenty to play for when the Rams close the regular season campaign Saturday at UNLV.
The Rams, 5-5 overall and 4-3 in Mountain West Conference play, face the Rebels, 2-8, 1-6 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
For Colorado State, it's the final chance to earn bowl eligibility for the 11th time in coach Sonny Lubick's 13 seasons at the helm. The Mountain West Conference has three bowl game agreements, in Las Vegas, San Franciso, and San Diego. A win puts the Rams in line to accept an invitation from one of the three bowl games.
"A bowl game is important for happiness," said Lubick Monday. "I still like going to bowl games. I think the players like it. It would be nice to go, no doubt about that."
To earn the trip, the Rams must shake off the affects of last week's 30-10 loss to San Diego State in Fort Collins. Consistency will be the key, said Lubick.
"We're not consistent. We have to bounce back. It was a hard loss for our team, but we have to bounce b ack."
Injuries continue to take a toll on the Rams. Tackle Mike Brisiel, who has started 32 games in a row and 43 in his career, is doubtful after leaving last week's game with a lower back contusion. Middle linebacker Courtney Jones has a hamstring problem as does Josh Day. Both are probable. Center Albert Bimper, who has missed the team's past six games, remains doubtful as do backups Klint Kubiak and Mike Pagnotta, who both play safety. Defensive end Terrance Carter also remains out with a knee injury and likely won't play.
There is no television coverage for Saturday's game, which begins at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT. The game can be heard live on the Colorado State Sports Network, including flagship station KIIX in Fort Collins (600 AM) and 710 KNUS in Denver. Rich Bircumshaw calls the play-by-play, Erik Olson is the analyst and Brian Roth provides sideline reports. Kevin McGlue is the game producer.
If CSU earns a bowl invitation, school officials said they'd make a public announcement and begin selling tickets as soon as they accept an invitation. The school will have a dedicated ticket allotment for the game, and fans who purchase tickets through CSU can help them reach the sales terms.