Gallup not a Rams’ decoy

FORT COLLINS» Sitting in the same meetings, Michael Gallup and Nick Stevens both came away with the same thought, that Gallup was more of a decoy in the game plan for Oregon State.

Both of them assessed that most of the big plays they figured Colorado State could hit in the passing game were designed to go to Bisi Johnson, with Stevens pointing out the Rams figured the Beavers would pay some special attention to Gallup.

Colorado State coach Mike Bobo led those meetings, and his response to the analysis from his quarterback and wideout was encouraging and interesting. Oh, and wrong.

“That’s good he was fired up to be a decoy,” Bobo said. “That’s a positive sign for us, but he’s never going to be a decoy.”

The confusion comes not from the players not paying full attention but semantics, really. Bobo admitted that within the concept, they all felt the big plays would go toward Johnson, who had five receptions for 66 yards. By no means, however, was Gallup going to be ignored or on the field as window dressing.

No, Bobo said, he just didn’t spend much time talking about the screens designed to go to Gallup, who delivered an 11-catch, 134-yard performance.

An all-conference, 1,272-yard, 14-touchdown decoy? Hogwash.

Gallup now has six consecutive games of 100 yards receiving or more dating to last year. The only thing the Beavers did was keep him out of the end zone, snapping an eight-game run.

Bobo liked that Gallup was fine with being perceived as a second option, as well as the fact Stevens found him when he was open.

That was the case on the deep post Gallup grabbed for a 48-yard gain, as he wasn’t the first option by design but coverage demanded the throw.

“We always have that. Coach Bobo leaves a couple plays out for a select few of us wide receivers,” Gallup said. “I never worry about that. Besides, I love when my teammates score. We just have to keep working.

“We’ve got a bunch of other talent, and when we spread the ball around, that just helps us as an offense. They’re not really going to know who to guard.”

That said, as good as Gallup is, there will be those moments when they simply have to find him.

Colorado’s secondary hasn’t faced this Gallup, though his development is obvious on tape. A year ago, Gallup was lost in the offense when the season opener arrived.

“I know what I’m doing now. Last year, I was still looking up in the stands before Nick said hut,” Gallup said.

“I feel great this time. Last year, I know my heart was beating on Monday all the way up to Friday, and it was still beating on game day. This year, I feel great. I feel good, feel confident.”

Just the way every good decoy does.