FORT COLLINS, Colorado— The season is winding down but the intensity is still high. The Rams made quite the first impression when they beat Michigan State 13-7 on Sunday. While it was their first game ever against MSU, the Rams went in with confidence and kept control of the game.
"Our plan was to slow things down a bit on offense even though we might be better at running in transition," head coach Alex Smith said. The plan was to focus on possessing the ball more, something the team wanted to work on after last week's game against the University of Michigan.
While the scores were tied at four at the end of the first half, it was clear that Colorado State was in control of the game. The team surged ahead, in its typical fashion, during the second half.
"In the second half we kind of let the reigns go and let our athleticism and conditioning do the work down the stretch," Smith said. "For us to blow the game open in the third and fourth quarter said a lot about our character, I think."
This was the final on campus game for the Rams, as their next game against BYU will be held at French Field in Fort Collins as a doubleheader with the Fort Collins high school team. This will be a big game for the Rams, currently ranked No. 3 in the MCLA, because they haven't won a game against BYU, currently ranked No. 4, since 2005.
"I think we have a good shot if we continue to improve a little bit each day this week," Smith said. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
As a special treat, this will be the Hall of Fame Game, and five alumni of the program will be inducted into the 2010 hall of fame, including current assistant coach Flip Naumburg.