Football Preview: CSU vs. Navy

Dec. 5, 2005

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San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Preview
Colorado State will make its ninth bowl appearance in the past 12 seasons, and 11th in school history, when coach Sonny Lubick's Rams face the Navy Midshipmen in the first-ever San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. The Rams earned their sixth bowl trip in the last seven years with a 6-5 record and 5-3 Mountain West Conference mark (tie, second). Colorado State has been bowl eligible 11 times in Sonny Lubick's 13 seasons as head coach. Navy enters the game 7-4 after defeating Army Dec. 3 to win a third consecutive Commander in Chief Trophy. Colorado State returns to a familiar bowl site in San Diego for the game. Three times in the 1990's - 1994, '95, '97 - the Rams played in the Holiday Bowl. Colorado State defeated Missouri, 35-24 in 1997, the team's most recent trip to San Diego for a bowl game. Colorado State has made more bowl appearances - nine - since 1994 than any other current MWC member institution. The teams share one common opponent. Each defeated Air Force during the 2005 season. CSU won 41-23 Sept. 29 in Fort Collins, while Navy downed the Falcons, 27-24 in Annapolis on Oct. 8. Injury Report LB Jahmal Hall, left knee; S Lukas Davis, left knee; DT Shaun McGoveran, concussion; LB John Nichols, right shoulder; OT Mike Brisiel, lower back; S Klint Kubiak, left hamstring; DE Terrance Carter, left knee.

Rams At Home
Colorado State is 48-20 in home games during Lubick's tenure. The Rams are 25-5 in home nonconference games since 1993. The nonconference losses have been at the hands of Oregon (1993), Colorado (1996), Fresno State (2001), Miami of Ohio (2003), and Minnesota (2004).

Rams On The Road
Colorado State is 43-31 in 74 road games since Sonny Lubick's arrival in 1993. Colorado State was 2-4 in road games in 2005.

Kaylor Leads League
P Jimmie Kaylor led the MWC and ranked fourth nationally in punting average. Kaylor had eight punts of 50 yards or more in 2005, and three more longer than 60 yards. Additionally, he had 10 of his 46 punts downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Statistics for first-year punters under Sonny Lubick:

Punting Player No. Yds. Avg.
2005 Jimmie Kaylor 49 2241 45.7
2003 Jeff Babcock 50 2107 42.1
2000 Joey Huber 52 2035 39.1
1998 Deone Horinek 52 2331 44.8
1997 Preston Loos 52 2100 40.4
1994 Matt McDougal 54 2108 39.0
1993 Mike McGee 63 2495 39.6

Holland Top TD Figure
QB Justin Holland threw 20 touchdowns in 2005, tying for the top spot with former Rams' Moses Moreno (1997) and Matt Newton (20).

Four Named To Academic Team
Four CSU student-athletes were named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District team. Sophomore RB Kyle Bell was named to the first team while senior wide receiver David Anderson, junior OL Clint Oldenburg and sophomore DL Jesse Nading were presented with second team honors. Colorado State's district is comprised of all Division I and I-AA teams from Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. Bell has a 3.65 GPA with a major in technical journalism. Oldenburg, a Gillette, Wyo., native, holds a 3.48 GPA with a major in technical journalism. Anderson has a 3.21 GPA with a major in speech communication. Nading, a sophomore from Highlands Ranch, Colo., holds a 3.45 GPA majoring in business administration.

MWC Record
Colorado State is 34-16 in 50 MWC games since 1999 when the conference was formed. The Rams are 18-7 at home, 16-9 on the road in MWC action.

Special Teams Streaks
WR Johnny Walker's 75-yard punt return for the go-ahead touchdown at UNLV marked the first time since Sept. 14, 2002 the Rams had returned a punt for a score, spanning 104 punts. The Rams have since returned 184 kickoffs without a touchdown since Sept. 29, 2001 when Dexter Wynn scored on a kickoff return at Wyoming.

Rushing Totals
Colorado State averages 174.9 yards per game rushing in the team's 157 games under Sonny Lubick, including 201.4 in 101 wins and 123.9 in 56 losses.

Three True
Colorado State used three true freshman in 2005, as compared to having used six last season. S Klint Kubiak has played in 10 games, on special teams and also as a reserve in the secondary. DT Shaun McGoveran played two games, and DE Wade Landers played in four games including a starting role at UNLV.

Opening Drives
Colorado State since 1993 is 33-10 in games the Rams have scored on the opening drive of the game. CSU is 15-27 in games the opponent has scored on the opening drive.

First Scores
Colorado State is 68-13 since 1993 when the Rams score first in a game. The Rams are 32-39 since 1993 when the opponent scores first.

League Play
Colorado State has an impressive 70-28 record in 98 conference games since Sonny Lubick's arrival as head coach in 1993.

Rushing Defense
Colorado State has allowed 67 individual 100-yard rushing performances since 1993. The Rams are 35-28 in games where an opponent rusher has gained 100 or more yards and 58 -23 when an opponent does not have a 100-yard rusher.

100 Receiving In Eight
Colorado State had at least one 100-yard receiving performance in eight of 11 games, and in games at Minnesota, and wins over Air Force and New Mexico, had a pair of 100-yard performers. WR David Anderson had five 100-yard games (Colorado, Air Force, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico), while WR Johnny Walker had four (Minnesota, Nevada, BYU, New Mexico). WR Dustin Osborn (Minnesota) and WR Luke Roberts (Air Force) had one apiece. CSU's 11 total 100-yard games is the most under Sonny Lubick.

Season Picks
Colorado State had 12 pass interceptions through in 2005. Colorado State finished the 2004 season with eight total interceptions.

Player Notes
Justin Holland, QB
* Has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 8 games.
* Tied the school record with 20 touchdown passes in 2005.
* Threw two or more touchdowns in seven of 11 games.
* Completed three or more touchdown passes in a game three times.
* Had a career-most four touchdown passes in CSU's 39-31 win over Wyoming.
* Threw two or more touchdown passes in nine of 18 career starts.
* Had six career 300-yard passing games including three in 2005; his six 300-yard games tie for the third most in school history.
* Ranks third in the MWC and 36th nationally in passing per game, 254.9.
* Ranks second in the MWC and 20th nationally in passing efficiency, 143.0
* Holland threw for 2,804 yards in 2005, the fifth most in a season in CSU history.
* Holland's 2,653 yards in total offense in 2005 is the seven most in school history.
* Named to the Davey O'Brien and Johnny Unitas preseason watch lists.
* Named MWC offensive player of the week after thrown four career highs in touchdowns (four) and yards (419) in CSU's win over Wyoming.

Kyle Bell, RB
* Earned second-team All-MWC honors.
* Second in the league and 22nd nationally averaging 106.0 yards per game rushing.
* Had five 100-yard games.
* Five times carried 30 or more times in a game.
* Gained 1,166 yards, the most in school history by a sophomore and fifth most overall in a season by a CSU player.
* Averaged 4.6 yards per rush.
* Fumbled only twice in 254 attempts, once ever 127 carries.
* Bell gained 685 of his 1,166 yards in 2005 following initial contact, 59 percent.
* Named one of the "Five Best Players You've Never Heard Of" by SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.
* His 1,166 yards rushing is the 16th 1,000-yard season performance in school history.
* Doak Walker Award watch list nominee.
* Named to Academic All-District first team and will appear on Academic All-American ballot.

David Anderson, WR
* Second-team All-MWC honoree in 2005.
* Named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award list for the second season in a row.
* 20 times in his career and in 10 of 11 games in 2005, has caught six or more passes in a game.
* Second in the league and 11th nationally in receptions per game, 7.0.
* Second in the league and 11th nationally in receiving yards per game, 99.5.
* Is the only player in CSU history to have more than 70 receptions in two different seasons.
* Set a new school record with 77 receptions in 2005, breaking his own record, 72, set in 2003.
* Scored eight touchdowns in 2005, tying for the sixth most by a receiver in a season in school history.
* 15 career 100-yard receiving games, a school record.
* Is the school's career leader in receptions, 214, and receiving yards, 3,508.
* 20 receiving touchdowns, tying for the third most in school history.
* Three times in 2005 caught two touchdowns in a game.
* Thirty-six percent of his receiving yards in 2005 came after the reception.
* Named to Academic All-District second team.

Mike Brisiel, OT
* Second-team All-MWC in 2005.
* Made 43 career starts, most on the team.
* Had a string of 32 consecutive starts stopped the final game of 2005 by injury.
* Honorable mention all-conference in 2004.
* Preseason all-conference team in 2005.
* Only offensive lineman on the team to have graded out above 90% in the 10 games in which he played.
* Made 42 big blocks/pancake blocks in 2005.
* Allowed only two quarterback sacks while playing left tackle in 2005.

Jesse Nading, DE
* Honorable mention all-conference in 2005.
* Tied for first on the team with 10 tackles for 36 yards lost.
* Led Colorado State with four quarterback sacks.
* Started all 11 games in 2005 at defensive end.
* Starter in 16 games over the past two seasons.
* In eight of 11 game sin 2005, has had four or more tackles.
* Three times in 2005 has had six or more tackles.
* Made a career-most seven tackles in CSU's 21-17 win over Utah.
* Made three tackles for 10 yards lost in CSU's 35-25 win at New Mexico.
* Also had his first career pass interception in 2005.

Blake Smith, DT
* Starter in all 11 games in 2005.
* Has started 18 games in the past two seasons.
* Made career-most five tackles in CSU's 41-23 win over Air Force.
* Made two tackles for 15 yards lost in CSU's win at New Mexico.
* Was also credited with a quarterback sack resulting in a safety in that game.
* Had three tackles for yards lost in 2005.
* Returned his first career interception 23 yards in CSU's win over Wyoming to set up a score.

Courtney Jones, LB
* Honorable mention all-conference in 2005.
* Tied for the team lead with 10 tackles for yards lost in 2005.
* Starter in all 11 games.
* In eight of 11 games, has made five or more tackles in a game.
* Five times in 11 games, has made seven or more tackles.
* Made a career-most 13 tackles in CSU's game at BYU.
* His 13 tackles at BYU is the most by any player at CSU in 2005.
* 23rd in the league with 68 total tackles.

Miles Kochevar
* Honorable mention all-conference in 2005.
* Tied for 13th in the league with 75 total tackles.
* Started all 11 game sin 2005.
* Starter in 16 games over the past two seasons.
* In nine of 11 games had made five or more tackles in a game.
* Eight times in 2005 had six or more tackles in a game.
* Five times in 2005, had made eight or more tackles in a game.
* Twice had nine tackles in a game.
* Had one quarterback sack.
* Tied for second on the team with two pass interceptions, including one at UNLV.
* Leads the team with 52 unassisted tackles.

Travis Garcia, S
* Honorable mention all-conference in 2005.
* Starter in all 11 games in 2005 and 13 in a row over the past two seasons.
* 10th in the league and leads the team with 82 total tackles.
* Made 49 unassisted tackles, second most on the team.
* Is a former walkon.
* In eight of 11 games, made five or more tackle sin a game.
* Seven times in 2005, had seven or more tackles in a game.
* Only player on the team with two double-figure tackle games with 12 stops in two different games.
* Led the team with three pass interceptions, the most by a CSU safety since 2002.

Robert Herbert, CB
* Honorable mention all-conference in 2005.
* 25th in the league with 66 total tackles.
* Tied for the team lead with 52 unassisted tackles in 2005.
* Starter in all 11 games in 2005 and 22 in a row over the past two seasons.
* Made career-most 10 tackles in CSU's 21-17 win over Utah.
* In seven of 11 games in 2005, made five or more tackles in a game.
* Three times in 2005, made seven or more tackles in a game.
* Tied for second on the team with two pass interceptions.
* Led the MWC in forced fumbles.
* Named MWC defensive player of the week for his performance at New Mexico when he had three unassisted tackles, a pass deflection, a pass interception which set up the go-ahead touchdown, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
* Ranks seventh in the league in pass deflections.

Jimmie Kaylor, P
* First-team All-MWC selection in 2005.
* Ray Guy Award semifinalist.
* 11 of his 49 punts were downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
* Averaged 45.7 yards per punt, 1st in the MWC and 4th nationally
* In six of 11 games has averaged more than 45 yards per punt; five times has averaged 46 yards or more per punt; four times averaged 47 yards or more; twice averaged 49 yards per punt in a game.
* Never averaged less than 41.8 yards per punt in a game in 2005.
* Has the best punting average at Colorado State in 30 years.
* Named MWC special teams player of the week after averaging 47.0 yards on three punts including one inside the 20-yard line in the Rams' 41-23 win over Air Force.
* Only 26 of his 49 punts have been returned.
* Has three punts longer than 60 yards and nine longer than 50 yards in 2005.

Come-From-Behind Wins
Forty-seven of Colorado State's 100 wins under coach Sonny Lubick have come in games the Rams trailed and rallied to win.

Wire-To-Wire Wins
Fifty-four of CSU's 100 wins under Sonny Lubick have been in games where the Rams have never trailed.

League Victory Milestones
Colorado State's 5-3 MWC record in 2005 marks the 12th time in Sonny Lubick's 13 seasons at the helm the Rams have won four or more league games. Colorado State has won five or more league games 10 times in Lubick's 13 seasons as head coach.

Pennant Fever
Colorado State is 23-8 in games played during Sonny Lubick's 13 seasons in games where a share of the conference title or potential bowl invitation was at stake. In those stretch drive games, CSU is 12-3 on the road, 11-5 at home.

Pennant Fever, Part II
Colorado State has a 27-11 record in games played during November in Sonny Lubick's career in Fort Collins.

Starting Nods
Forty-five players on Colorado State's roster have started at least once game. Nineteen players have started 10 or more games.

Turnover Turnaround
Colorado State was a "plus-3" in turnover ratio, after having finished -12 in 2004, a difference of +15 over two seasons. Colorado State is in the plus category in turnover ratio since 2002, when the Rams were +8.

MWC Honor Roll
Twelve Colorado State players earned all-conference honors in 2005 in
voting by the league's coaches and selected media members, including:
* P Jimmie Kaylor, first-team
* WR David Anderson, second-team
* OT Mike Brisiel, second-team
* RB Kyle Bell, second-team
* OL Josh Day, honorable mention
* S Travis Garcia, honorable mention
* CB Robert Herbert, honorable mention
* LB Courtney Jones, honorable mention
* S Miles Kochevar, honorable mention
* DE Jesse Nading, honorable mention
* OL Clint Oldenburg, honorable mention
* HB Kory Sperry, honorable mention

Locker Room Renovation
The entire renovation of CSU's football locker room begins immediately after the arrival of the new year. The renovation was made possible through a gift of $200,000 by former Rams' all-star and current NFL All-Pro Joey Porter, who made the contribution last spring.

Cumulative Records
Colorado State's 2005 opponents had a 72-62 cumulative record. Eight of 12 opponents had winning records. Seven opponents earned bowl invitations including: Colorado, BYU, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah, and TCU, and Navy.

On Television
Colorado State's 2005 bowl game will be the program's 117th appearance on regional or national television since Sonny Lubick's arrival in 1993.

Late-Game Success
Colorado State has an 84-5 record (94.3 %) under Sonny Lubick when the Rams lead after three periods. The five losses include:
* Sept. 3, 2005; Colorado 31, Colorado State 28; Rams lead 21-10 at end of third quarter. (Boulder).
* Sept. 7, 2002; UCLA 30, Colorado State 19; Rams lead 13-7 at end of third quarter. (Fort Collins).
* Oct. 13, 2001; Fresno State 25, Colorado State 22 (ot); Rams lead, 14-13, at end of third quarter. (Fort Collins).
* Sept. 17, 1998; Air Force 30, Colorado State 27; Rams lead, 27-17 at end of third quarter. (Colorado Springs).
* Nov. 16, 1996; Wyoming 25, Colorado State 24; Rams lead, 24-13, at end of third quarter. (Fort Collins).

Rams' Passing Plans
The Rams are 12-29 in games where the team has attempted 35 or more passes and 89-27 games when attempting less than 35 passes since 1993.

Touchdown Passes
Five times in 2005, the Rams threw three or more touchdowns in a game. Eight times, the team has scored two or more times via the air, and in one game (Wyoming), Colorado State had four scoring pass plays.

Same Starters
Twelve Colorado State players have started 11 games to date, including:

* Offense: 5; WR David Anderson; TE Matt Bartz; OT Mike Brisiel; QB Justin Holland; OT Clint Oldenburg.
* Defense: 6; S Travis Garcia; LB Courtney Jones; S Miles Kochevar; DE Jesse Nading; DT Blake Smith.
* Specialty: 1; P Jimmie Kaylor.

Bell Tolls
RB Kyle Bell, who ranks among the MWC and NCAA leaders in rushing per game, has fumbled only twice in 254 attempts, once every 127 carries. Of Bell's two fumbles, one was lost.

Bell Sophomore Leader
RB Kyle Bell has gained the most yards by a sophomore runningback in school history. Bell has gained 1,166 yards, surpassing former all-star Kevin McDougal's record for sophomores, 1,111 yards in 1997.

Injured List Colorado State lost 68 man-games played in 2005 due to injury. By comparison, CSU lost 29 man-games played a season ago due to injury.

Rams Bowl Experience Fifteen players have been on respective CSU bowl rosters in the past. The group includes eight offensive players, six on defense, and one kicker.

Family Affair Since Sonny Lubick arrived in Fort Collins, 11 sets of brothers have competed for the Rams, including:

* Mack Craft, CB 1992-95 Jason Craft, CB 1997-98 Denver, Colo. East HS

* Justin Gallimore, CB 1999-01 Jason Gallimore, CB 1999-01 Wheat Ridge, Colo. Wheat Ridge HS

* Jeff Horinek, LB 2004-current Deone Horinek, P 1998-99 Atwood, Kan. Atwood HS

* Kevin McDougal, RB 1994-96 Matt McDougal, K/P 1996-99 Arvada, Colo. Arvada West HS

* Damon Morton, WR/KR 2004-current Dion Morton, DB 2005 Riverside, Calif. North HS

* Nathan Pauly, LB 2003-current Eric Pauly, LB 2000-03 Conway Springs., Kan. Conway Spgs. HS

* Morgan Pears, OL 1999-02 Erik Pears, OL 2000-04 Denver, Colo. Kennedy HS

* Brady Schneider, DB/KR 1993-96 Brian Schneider, LB 1990-93 Arvada, Colo. Pomona HS

* Aaron Sprague, DB 1998-01 Russell Sprague, WR 2000-03 Holyoke, Colo. Holyoke HS

* Ben Stratton, DB 2002-current Dane Stratton, OL 2004-current Cheyenne, Wyo. East HS

* Bob Vomhof, DE 2003-current Mike Vomhof, DE 2001-current Gillette, Wyo. Campbell Cty. HS

Watch Lists
Four Colorado State student-athletes were listed on various postseason awards watch lists, including:
* WR David Anderson - Biletnikoff Award
* RB Kyle Bell - Doak Walker Award
* OC Albert Bimper - Rimington Award
* OT Mike Brisiel - Outland Trophy
* QB Justin Holland - O'Brien Award; Unitas Award
* P Jimmie Kaylor - Ray Guy Award

NFF Players Of Week
Each week during the 2006 the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame-Colorado Chapter awards player of the week awards. This season's CSU winners include:
* WR David Anderson (Oct. 31)
* QB Justin Holland (Oct. 24)

MWC Players Of Week
Six Colorado State players earned weekly player of the week honors in 2005, including:
* P Jimmie Kaylor (Oct. 3); special teams
* DB Joey Rucks (Oct. 24); special teams
* QB Justin Holland (Oct. 24); offense
* K Jason Smith (Oct. 31); special teams
* DB Robert Herbert (Oct. 31); defense
* WR Johnny Walker (Nov. 20); special teams

Postseason Invitations
Three Colorado State student-athletes have been invited to postseason all-star games, including:
* WR David Anderson, Hula Bowl (Honolulu); Jan. 21; East-West Shrine Game (San Antonio, Tex.); Jan. 21
* OL Mike Brisiel, Hula Bowl (Honolulu); Jan. 21
* QB Justin Holland, Las Vegas All-Star Classic (Las Vegas (Jan. 14).

Rams In The Pros
Since Sonny Lubick's arrival in 1993, more than 40 former Ram players have been drafted or signed as free agent with respective NFL teams.

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