Rams to get more help at wide receiver

FORT COLLINS» Nothing like setting the bar high.

After a feeling-out period that really lasted five games for Michael Gallup — a time when he was learning the offense and developing his role — the Colorado State wide receiver blew up.

He finished the season with a run of eight straight games with at least one touchdown (three each in the final two games), earning him first-team allMountain West honors.

So as the Rams hit conference play Saturday at Hawaii (10 p.m.), Gallup has but one touchdown, but his catches have him on pace to exceed what he did last year and his yardage is close to pace.

“There’s no question he’s having a better year,” CSU head coach Mike Bobo said. “One because he knows more, he’s a better route runner. I think he’s only going to get better. A better year because of numbers — I don’t know what his numbers are going to be — but as far as a receiver and his ability to make plays, he’s in a much better place.”

Even Gallup knows his pace at the end of 2016 would be hard to keep up with through a full season, but he’s trying to get on another similar run in the form of a more complete package.

“I do this year. It’s been different for me, seeing the field differently these first couple of games,” Gallup said. “Especially in Alabama. I thought I had a pretty decent game, though they took away my TD. I feel a lot more confident, and when we get into conference play, teams will try to double me, but I don’t see that as a big factor anymore.”

There’s one area, however, where Bobo would like to lower the bar for his senior wideout: plays per game.

Gallup is averaging 64 a contest and Bisi Johnson is at 66. From the slot, Detrich Clark is in the high 40s, according to the coach, and that’s not good. Not at all, and to that, Gallup offers up a reluctant smile.