Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Down to Final Workouts Before Poinsettia Bowl
12/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 16, 2005
Colorado State University's football team is now down to one more workout in Fort Collins before leaving Sunday for final preparations for the team's Dec. 22 Poinsettia Bowl game against Navy in San Diego.
Friday, 13th-year coach Sonny Lubick put his team through a 90-minute workout in chilly conditions for the game. The Rams will practice Saturday morning, then depart Sunday afternoon for San Diego. Once arriving at the bowl site, CSU will practice Monday and Tuesday on the campus of San Diego State University, then have a walk-through at Qualcomm Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
"It was cool, but I felt we got some work done today," said Lubick following the workout. "We'll have our game plan in place by the time we leave."
Colorado State's defense faces the task of stopping Navy's wishbone attack led by quarterback Lamar Owens. Navy enters the game leading the nation in rushing per game
"He's really a quick guy," said Lubick. "He likes to duck it up in there, and keep the football. Their tailbacks and fullbacks have been very good, too. They run their offense about as well as it can be run."
Lubick said he's also been impressed by Navy's offensive line.
"They are solid," he said. "We will have to play as well as we were when we won three in a row earlier in the year. We cannot play like we did the last two games of the season. If we play as well as we did against Air Force and the wishbone, we'd have a chance."
Lubick said Navy's ball-control offense also impacts CSU's offensive attack.
"You might not get many opportunities," he said. "In a regular game, you are going to get 12 possessions or so. Here, you might get only eight possessions. These guys score. We have to be able to get the ball back."
Tickets for the game remain on sale by calling 1-800-491-RAMS.
Kickoff for the inaugural bowl is 7:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live statewide on the Colorado State Radio Network, which includes KCOL (1410 AM) in Fort Collins and KNUS (710 AM) in Denver. ESPN2 is televising the game live nationally.
Also Friday, East-West Shrine Game officials announced the initial roster for the Jan. 21 all-star game in San Antonio, Tex., the first time in 80 years the game will not be played in San Francisco.
CSU wide receiver David Anderson - the school's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards - has been named to the West squad. Anderson will be coached by Dennis Franchione of Texas A&M.
Kickoff for the game is 3 p.m. CT/2 p.m. MT, and it will be played in the Alamodome.