Stevens cements legacy as Rams’ ironman
FORT COLLINS» The family stood together as one Saturday near the west sideline at Colorado State’s on-campus football stadium — a mother, a father, a sister, a wife and others — during pregame festivities against San Jose State. Some wore No. 7 jerseys. Others donned green-and-gold knit hats. They all carried full hearts for the final home game of one Rams player in particular: Nick Stevens.
Haley Stevens swears her quarterback husband treated this game week like any of his previous 31 career starts, but as the Rams’ marching band returned to their seats and the families of 23 CSU football seniors made their way to midfield, she leaned into her family circle.
“Don’t cry,” Haley Stevens said, “here they come.”
CSU defeated San Jose State 4214, improved to 7-5 (5-3 Mountain West), and the weight of Senior Day filled the on-campus stadium for its final 2017 fall showcase. But there would be no waterworks from Nick Stevens, a fifth-year Ram and team captain who handed a single red rose to Haley and his mother, Stacy, during a ceremony honoring one last go-round in Fort Collins.
“It never really hit me until we were kind of lined up in the tunnel,” Stevens said. “It went by so quick that it still hasn’t had the chance to settle in.”
And yet, the ability to compartmentalize emotions brought on by physical and mental strain has come to define much of Stevens’ green-and-gold legacy, or as he puts it: “You can’t ride too high or ride too low.” Stevens proved it first with his response to a 2016 early-season benching after a dismal Rocky Mountain Showdown.
And Saturday was little different. The Rams entered with threestraight losses, their Mountain West championship hopes dashed, but with Stevens was the calming force.
SJSU (1-11, 0-6) sprinted out to a 7-0 lead five minutes into the first quarter after a 14-yard rushing score from tailback Dejon Packer.
But Stevens then led the Rams to four scores on their next five drives before halftime, including a pair of deep touchdown tosses to tight end Cameron Butler (50 yards) and receiver Olabisi Johnson (24 yards). CSU led 28-7 after the break, and Stevens added another passing touchdown — 9 yards to tight end Dalton Fackrell — in the third quarter to seal the victory.
With just one yet-to-be-determined bowl game left in Stevens’ collegiate football career, his mark on the CSU record books is undeniable. He is the all-time leader in career touchdown passes (68) and passing efficiency (149.2 entering Saturday), and second in career passing yards (8,234) and completions (602).
What’s more? Stevens has appeared in 40 games, including 32 starts, all while taking a combined 28 career sacks. Not once has Stevens missed a game to injury.
“(Stevens) has got some size, but he’s a little bit fragile, he doesn’t have the greatest strength in the world and he’s not the best athlete in the world,” CSU coach Mike Bobo said. “He’ll stand in there and deliver balls. He’s got mental and physical toughness. And the thing I’m so proud about him is he’s grown as a leader.”
Said CSU center Jake Bennett, who joined Stevens as part of the Rams’ 2013 signing class: “Mentally, (Stevens) is one of the toughest guys to ever come through here, and his numbers speak for themselves. One of the top-three or top-two quarter- backs to ever play here, I think. That speaks volumes to the guy, because obviously last year he had to sit down (on the bench) and go through some adversity.”
The truth is, Stevens doesn’t have much of an explanation for what’s made him the Rams’ ironman..
“I guess God is on my side and luck is on my side,” he said.
Stevens admits he hasn’t done much reminiscing on his legacy, even after he sought out his
mother for a postgame kiss on the turf soon after Saturday’s final horn. But there will come a time soon, likely back home on the couch beside his wife, when Stevens can appreciate all he’s accomplished.
Cue the water works.
“I’ll let you know when I start crying later tonight,” Stevens said.