Sixth place, Colorado State

08-30-2007

By Tom Shanahan, San Diego Hall of Champions

QUARTERBACKS: Colorado State’s recruiting classes tailed off early in the new decade and the results showed with a 4-8 record in the 2006 season that followed up an embarrassing 50-32 loss in the 2005 Poinsettia Bowl to Navy. The Rams also won only one of their eight conference games last year. The prospects for 2007 might not sound good, either, if you consider there is only returning player that earned first- or second-team All-MWC honors, and he’s a punter. But Colorado State might actually be on the verge of turning things around if you look a little deeper at the roster. Colorado State returns 18 starters, including quarterback Caleb Hanie, with an even split between offense and defense. In addition, nearly half of the 18 earned honorable mention. There are three conference honorable mention selections from the offense and five from the defense. Hanie is back for his senior year after throwing for 2,427 yards last year with 209-of-342 passes completed (61.1 percent). He is third on the school’s career complete percentage list at .590, and the Rams have had some good quarterbacks over the years. But he must improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio after throwing 11 touchdown passes with 12 interceptions.

RUNNING BACKS: Colorado State has 19 returning starters if you count the Kyle Bell regaining his health after missing the entire 2006 season when he was hurt shortly before the season opener. In 2005, he was second in the conference when he rushed for 1,288 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Bell is a bruiser at 226 pounds and gained 742 of his yards (58 percent) after the first hit. Bell’s backup is redshirt freshman John Mosure. When CSU goes to its two-back offense, junior Gartrell Johnson returns as the team’s blocking back.

RECEIVERS: The Rams’ offensive alignment features a tight end and an H-back and both players are returning starters. Senior Kory Sperry lines up at H-back, but he earned honorable mention as a tight end. The starting tight end who is back is junior Chris Kawulok. Luke Roberts is listed as a returning starting wide receiver, but Johnny Walker is another returning starter who led the Rams in receptions with the returning wide receiver who earned honorable mention in a backup role. He led the team with 58 catches for 586 yards, but he didn’t score a touchdown. Damon Morton should see more snaps in a backup role after catching eight balls last year and earning honorable mention as a kick returner.

OFFENSIVE LINE: A signature of Colorado State’s success in 15 seasons under Sonny Lubick has been strong offensive line play. This year the Ramos have four returning starters up front to build around with senior center Nick Allotta, sophomore left guard Scott Benedict, sophomore right guard Adrian Martinez and sophomore Tim Walter, who started the year at center last season and shifted to tackle. But the Rams must find a replacement for their best offensive lineman last year as left tackle Clint Oldenburg graduated to the NFL. A big body is waiting in the wings as 6-7, 311-pound sophomore Cole Pemberton played behind Oldenburg last year.

DEFENSIVE LINE: The Rams return all four defensive linemen and half of the group earned honorable mention in the conference. Senior defensive end Jesse Nading and senior defensive tackle Blake Smith picked up the conference honors. The other returning starters up front are junior defensive end Wade Landers and senior defensive tackle Erik Sandie. But the Rams’ defensive linemen must to a better job of keeping blockers off the linebackers.

LINEBACKERS: Junior linebacker Jeff Horinek, who earned honorable mention last year, is the only defender who must adjust to playing with new starters alongside him in his unit. Horinek was fourth on the team in tackles with 69 with five tackles for a loss, two sacks and one interception. Competing for the starting nods at the two outside linebacker spots are sophomore Jake Pottorff, sophomore Sedric Patterson and senior John Nichols.

SECONDARY: The Rams not only return their secondary intact, just like the defensive linemen, but half of the foursome earned honorable mention a year ago. The conference recognition went to junior free safety Klint Kubiak and junior strong safety Mike Pagnotta. Kubiak led the team in tackles with 90, including six for lost yardage. Pagnotta was third on the team with 71 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and three sacks. The returning starting cornerbacks are senior Joey Rucks and senior Darryl Williams. Williams proved to be a ball hawk as he intercepted three passes.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Both of the Rams’ kickers are back, with punter Jimmie Kaylor entering his senior year after earning second-team All-MWC honors as a junior. Jason Smith handles the place-kicking duties. Senior kick returner Damon Morton, who doubles as wide receiver, earned honorable mention for his special teams play.

Returning starters: 18; Offense 9; QB: 1; RB: 0; WR/TE: 4; OL: 4; Defense 9; DL: 4; LB: 1; DB: 3; ST: 2.

2006 Record: 4-8; 2006 Conf. Record: 1-7

Head Coach: Sonny Lubick (15)

Last Bowl Appearance: 2005 Poinsettia Bowl, Lost to Navy 50-31

2006 Turnover Ratio: -7

Home Surface: Grass

Returning Lettermen: 40

Lettermen Lost: 22

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 4-3