Colorado State University Athletics
Football Continues Bowl Preperations
12/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 20, 2005
San Diego - It was a homecoming of sorts during Colorado State University's 90-minute practice Tuesday in preparation for Thursday night's Poinsettia Bowl game against Navy in San Diego.
Four prominent former players and a former assistant coach were on hand to watch practice, and Rams' head coach Sonny Lubick asked each of them to address the team prior to the workout.
"All of those guys are from the San Diego area," said Lubick following the workout. "Those guys had main parts in starting the winning tradition at Colorado State."
Former offensive coordinator Dave Lay - now a prominent high school coach in San Diego - along with former players E.J. Watson, Paul Turner, Darran Hall, and Anthoney Hill spoke to the team.
Watson was the team's top rusher in 1994 and '95 and helped CSU to back-to-back Holiday Bowl appearances. Turner remains among the school's career leaders in receptions, while Hilll led CSU to a 10-2 record in 1994, the school's first conference title in 40 years, and berth in the Holiday Bowl against Michigan. Hill's senior season, 1994, the Rams jumped to a 7-0 start and were ranked as high as 10th nationally en route to the conference title.
"Those guys are all special. They helped set the tone for our success," said Lubick. "I wanted our players to realize that these guys set the tempo for the success of our program."
Lubick said his team had a productive workout Tuesday.
"It was still warm, but that's good. It's the same thing for Navy," said Lubick. "We've been pushing it from the first day that we got the invitation" to the bowl game.
Lubick said a win Thursday night is critical to the program.
"It would leave a good taste in your mouth if you can win."
Lubick said the game is important for other reasons, too.
"I told our players to give an okay effort will not be good enough. We will not win the football game. We have a lot of fans coming out here, a lot of people depending on us. That's what people will remember, how we play in this game. We have a lotof guys from California on the team, and it's a great opportunity for them to see us play."
Following practice, a majority of team visited the San Diego Zoo. Lubick, along with seniors David Anderson, Albert Bimper, and Mike Brisiel made a visit to the local Children's Hospital.
Wednesday, the team and their counterpart will be featured at a luncheon aboard the USS Midway. The Rams then have a brief walk-through at Qualcomm Stadium, the site of the first-ever Poinsettia Bowl game Thursday night.
The entire team will then join Ram fans for a pep rally in the team hotel Wednesday night. Thursday, CSU is hosting a pregame tailgate party in the stadium parking lot.
Kickoff time Thursday is 7:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on the Colorado State Sports Network, and ESPN2 will provide live television coverage.
Tickets remain on sale by calling 1-800-491-RAMS.