Seniors to be recalled as builders of the program
FORT COLLINS» Colorado State’s 2013 signing class arrived in Fort Collins on the heels of a forgettable era of Rams football with no bowl appearances in six out of the previous seven years. So a group of youngsters were sold on a vision for a brighter future, and at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, those who remain will be recognized as program builders.
The Rams (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West) host San Jose State (1-10, 0-6) for Senior Day, and nine redshirted players from that 2013 class — quarterback Nick Stevens, linebacker Evan Colorito, offensive lineman Trae Moxley, offensive lineman Jake Bennett, safety Justin Sweet, linebacker Kiel Robinson, safety Jake Schlager, offensive lineman Zach Golditch and linebacker Deonte Clyburn — will be honored among 23 total seniors for a rare feat: five straight bowl games.
That matches a program record for the longest consecutive postseason streak set by legendary former coach Sonny Lubick (19992003). And in 2017, the Rams are powered by senior leadership on both sides of the ball with 16 starters combined between offense and defense.
“These guys wanted to compete,” CSU coach Mike Bobo said. “They didn’t think it was their birthright that they were going to be a starter because they were a senior or a veteran player coming back. They battled every day and had some success at CSU.”
But CSU’s upperclassman strength is bittersweet considering what might have been this season if not for back-to-back-to-back losses entering the Saturday home finale. The Rams will be playing for pride rather than a Mountain West division championship as 33-point favorites against San Jose State.
“It’s not the season they envisioned at the start of the year,” Bobo said, “but if they’re who I think they are and what (I think) they’re made of, they’re going to finish.”