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Gophers Football Week 2 Opponent: Meet the Colorado State University Rams
By Luke Gildemeister
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/551536?referrer_id=
Most Gopher fans will naturally fret and lament how a few crucial mistakes cost Minnesota a chance at an upset last Thursday night during the season opener against TCU. What if Rodrick Williams Jr. didn’t fumble near the goal line? What if De’Vondre Campbell actually caught that gift-wrapped ball from Trevone Boykin? We will never know. The Gophers lost, and the team must move on because a strong Colorado State squad in Fort Collins lies ahead. Here’s what you need to know about the Rams prior to kickoff:
New Head Coach: Former head coach Jim McElwain darted to Gainesville to take the same position for the Florida Gators. McElwain coached the Rams for three seasons, posting a 22-17 record. In comes new head coach Mike Bobo, who spent the previous eight seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Georgia Bulldogs. Bobo actually played quarterback for the Bulldogs from 1994-97, throwing for 6,334 yards in his career. Bobo will bring an up-tempo, no-huddle offense to Fort Collins.
New Quarterback: Redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens will likely start at quarterback for the Rams. He was the backup for stud quarterback Garrett Grayson (mentioned below) in 2014. Stevens threw for 136 yards and one touchdown in five games last season. In the 2015 season opener against Savannah State, Stevens threw for 289 yards and five touchdowns. It should be interesting to see how well the Gophers defensive line can pressure the young quarterback and disrupt the fast-paced offensive tempo.
The Rashard Higgins Factor: Keep an eye on #82, who just might be one of the best receivers in collegiate football. Rashard Higgins is a 6’ 2” wide receiver entering his junior season. Last season he earned first-team All-America honors, leading the nation with 1,750 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. If you’re asking yourself, “why haven’t I heard of this kid?” It’s probably because Colorado State plays in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), which garners very little national exposure. I am very excited to see how Minnesota and their experienced defensive backfield will handle such an elite deep-ball threat.
New Defense: New defensive coordinator Tyson Summers has instilled a 4-3 defensive scheme for 2015. Change is likely a good thing for the Rams defense, which has been below average in years past. In the past three seasons, the Rams ranked 87th, 81st and 70th respectively in the nation in total defense. Look out for veteran playmaker #31 Cory James. The redshirt senior linebacker has 22 sacks in his career and has potential to expose Minnesota’s currently shaky offensive line.
Strong 2014 Campaign: The Rams finished the 2014 season with a 10-3 record, including a 45-10 loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. It was their first ten-win season since 2002. Much of this success was due to the play of quarterback Garrett Grayson. As a senior in 2014, Grayson threw for 4,006 yards and 32 touchdowns en route to earning the MWC Offensive Player of the Year award. Luckily for Minnesota, Grayson has moved on to play for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.
In closing, the Minnesota Gophers will face a program coming off an exceptional 2014 season. The Rams feature plenty of intrigue this season with a new head coach, defensive coordinator and starting quarterback. Hopefully the maroon and gold can capitalize on a mediocre-at-best defense still learning a new system. One thing is certain: Colorado State is no joke. If the Gophers don’t show up mentally or physically, it could be a long afternoon in the Rocky Mountains at Hughes Stadium.
By Luke Gildemeister
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/551536?referrer_id=
Most Gopher fans will naturally fret and lament how a few crucial mistakes cost Minnesota a chance at an upset last Thursday night during the season opener against TCU. What if Rodrick Williams Jr. didn’t fumble near the goal line? What if De’Vondre Campbell actually caught that gift-wrapped ball from Trevone Boykin? We will never know. The Gophers lost, and the team must move on because a strong Colorado State squad in Fort Collins lies ahead. Here’s what you need to know about the Rams prior to kickoff:
New Head Coach: Former head coach Jim McElwain darted to Gainesville to take the same position for the Florida Gators. McElwain coached the Rams for three seasons, posting a 22-17 record. In comes new head coach Mike Bobo, who spent the previous eight seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Georgia Bulldogs. Bobo actually played quarterback for the Bulldogs from 1994-97, throwing for 6,334 yards in his career. Bobo will bring an up-tempo, no-huddle offense to Fort Collins.
New Quarterback: Redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens will likely start at quarterback for the Rams. He was the backup for stud quarterback Garrett Grayson (mentioned below) in 2014. Stevens threw for 136 yards and one touchdown in five games last season. In the 2015 season opener against Savannah State, Stevens threw for 289 yards and five touchdowns. It should be interesting to see how well the Gophers defensive line can pressure the young quarterback and disrupt the fast-paced offensive tempo.
The Rashard Higgins Factor: Keep an eye on #82, who just might be one of the best receivers in collegiate football. Rashard Higgins is a 6’ 2” wide receiver entering his junior season. Last season he earned first-team All-America honors, leading the nation with 1,750 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. If you’re asking yourself, “why haven’t I heard of this kid?” It’s probably because Colorado State plays in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), which garners very little national exposure. I am very excited to see how Minnesota and their experienced defensive backfield will handle such an elite deep-ball threat.
New Defense: New defensive coordinator Tyson Summers has instilled a 4-3 defensive scheme for 2015. Change is likely a good thing for the Rams defense, which has been below average in years past. In the past three seasons, the Rams ranked 87th, 81st and 70th respectively in the nation in total defense. Look out for veteran playmaker #31 Cory James. The redshirt senior linebacker has 22 sacks in his career and has potential to expose Minnesota’s currently shaky offensive line.
Strong 2014 Campaign: The Rams finished the 2014 season with a 10-3 record, including a 45-10 loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. It was their first ten-win season since 2002. Much of this success was due to the play of quarterback Garrett Grayson. As a senior in 2014, Grayson threw for 4,006 yards and 32 touchdowns en route to earning the MWC Offensive Player of the Year award. Luckily for Minnesota, Grayson has moved on to play for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.
In closing, the Minnesota Gophers will face a program coming off an exceptional 2014 season. The Rams feature plenty of intrigue this season with a new head coach, defensive coordinator and starting quarterback. Hopefully the maroon and gold can capitalize on a mediocre-at-best defense still learning a new system. One thing is certain: Colorado State is no joke. If the Gophers don’t show up mentally or physically, it could be a long afternoon in the Rocky Mountains at Hughes Stadium.
