Vol. 128, No. 19, Friday, August 31, 2018

INSIDE THE LINES Runnels leaves the shadows

page 4

Carta-Samuels’ job security page 7 Vol. 128, No. 19 Friday, August 31, 2018

Menace in the middle

page 10

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2 inside the lines

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Sydney

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#19

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vs Auburn #25

Washington #8

vs Miami

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inside the lines

Mike Bobo has a lot riding on the Rocky Mountain Showdown Luke Zahlmann @lukezahlmann

Coach Mike Bobo, going into his fourth Rocky Mountain Showdown, has a lot riding on a victory, including the perception that he is unable to compete in rivalry games.

Consistent losses to the University of Colorado as well as Wyoming, Boise State and even Air Force have left the coach with an ugly record of 2-10. As the sample size has grown, so has the moniker that his teams cannot win the big games.

Bobo also understands that the pressure and noise can only be alleviated by victories in large matchups. The final score is the true example of a team.

“You put a lot into this game,”

Bobo said. “It means a lot to our fan base and our alumni… obviously (a win) would help with momentum.

You never know how one win is going to change a team.”

Last year only built on losses as the Rams went 0-4 in the rivalry matchups on their schedule, outscored by a good margin. The lopsided nature of the losses was made worse when the Rams played the Broncos in the confines of their newly-minted stadium and held one of their largest leads of the season.

The Rams went on to blow the lead, eventually losing the matchup 59-52 in overtime during the waning hours of night. The home team was outscored 35-17 in the second half, allowing Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien to throw for 331 yards and four touchdowns.

On top of the air attack, Alexander

see MIKE BOBO on page 4 >>

Colorado State University head coach Mike Bobo helps lead his team while the team sings to CSU fans after the game on Aug. 24.

PHOTO BY FORREST CZARNECKI COLLEGIAN

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Downtown in the Northern Hotel On Campus in CSU’s Canvas Stadium

3

4 inside the lines

The light shines bright on a new CSU volleyball star

By Luke Zahlmann @lukezahlmann

Taking over for the all-time kills leader in Colorado State volleyball history is a challenge, one Breana Runnels is undertaking.

In just her first year of consistent playing time for the Rams after redshirting, Runnels led the entire team in kills with 352.

The redshirt sophomore and 2017 Mountain West Newcomer of the Year entered this season with a new role: leader. After just the first match, her coach Tom Hilbert saw a game-changing force.

“In (the Illinois) match, she showed uncanny maturity for where she’s at in her development,” Hilbert said. “She was so composed… she had her motor running but it was extremely composed and that’s rare. She’s a different kind of kid.”

The trait is one Hilbert saw in another player: Jasmine Hanna The previous leader, Hanna played her final season for the Rams last year, leading the Rams attacking charge to a 29-4 record, with only a single blemish in their 17-1 conference schedule..

The comparisons between the two in the eyes of the coach that has led them both are astounding. Their leadership, hunger and maturity are something that Hilbert has rarely seen, but traits that the all-time leader for the Rams possessed.

Runnels was able to share the court with Hanna for the first two years of her career including game time last year.

Following Hanna’s departure, as well as that of Sanja Cizmic, the depth of the Rams has shrunk, putting the onus on Runnels even more.

The drive for Runnels is one born out of competitiveness, one that she hopes will enable her to pass her former teammate one day. “(Setting the record is) definitely a goal. (Jasmine) is kind of setting that goal for me as well,” Runnels said. “She tells me that I’m gonna beat it.”

The goal stems from only resetting the record books and having the shared feeling of her jersey with Hanna’s in the Col-

Mike Bobo >> from page 3 Mattison rushed 242 yards on only 23 carries with a trio of touchdowns.

The game was one of the glaring blemishes on the CSU football brand under the tutelage of Bobo and served as a catalyst for the firing of Marty English.

Breana Runnels waits for a serve during the game against UNC Willmington. PHOTO BY ASHLEY POTTS COLLEGIAN

orado State Sports Hall of Fame in Moby Arena.

The drive to be the best is not the only similarity between the two, but the leadership style of Runnels pays homage to the former outside hitter as well.

“I think what she took from Jasmine was understanding how to manage a game properly, when to swing and when to take care of the ball,” Hilbert said.

The leader and star of the team is a role that is not new for Runnels though.

In high school, Runnels attended Independence High School and was named team MVP in 2014 as a junior, as well as her team’s offensive player of the year in 2013. She also led her team to two South Yosemite

League championships including her senior year when they went 10-0 in the league and received league MVP. Runnels led the league by nearly 200 kills her season year.

“I don’t think there’s much difference (between high school and college stardom),” Runnels said. “I just come on the court for one job and that’s to win. My mentality hasn’t changed since high school.”

The biggest difference between Runnels and her predecessor on the outside is their size. Hanna held a distinct advantage of three inches on Runnels, a trait that has affected the way Hilbert conducts his gameplan for the second-year player. “(Runnels) is not a big kid,” Hilbert said. “Breana has to el-

evate her game physically on a very consistent level for a long time. Fatigue is gonna be huge.

(The) health of her body and fatigue is gonna be huge.”

The workload is nothing new for Runnels as she had nearly 1,000 attempts in her senior year as well as almost 900 last season for the Rams.

Her size has never been an issue in the eyes of the facilitator of the Rams though. Setter Katie Oleksak, 2017 Mountain West Player of the Year, has nothing but positivity for the newest hitter to benefit from her assists.

On the young season, Runnels leads the team in kills already, despite the increased focus on her abilities from the opposition.

A year of film is now available to opposing teams and Runnels has already seen the difference in stopping power against her.

“They’re definitely going after me,” Runnels said. “I’m taking on this role and I need to perform.”

The Rams enter their hardest out-of-conference weekend of the year as they will face Cincinnati, Florida State and Texas Christian on Saturday and Sunday. The opportunity to shine once again will be readily available in the top matchups for Runnels, a feat with which her team and coach feel she will have no trouble.

Luke Zahlmann can be reached at sports@collegian. com

In search of a change, Bobo hired John Jancek to reform the defense in hopes of juxtaposed results this season. That decision, though questionable so far, is only in its infant stages.

In his first game at the helm of the defense, Jancek had a rough first showing.

Against Hawaii, the Rams had one of their worst showings in years. They allowed 617 total yards and only forced a single turnover. The total included a whopping 30 first downs.

The game proceeded a period where Bobo was forced to be away from the team for 10 days due to numbness in his feet, diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy. The lengthy stay included a procedure that forced Bobo into a walking boot.

Despite the absence, Bobo refused to use his leave as an excuse.

“It was unfortunate… there’s no opportune time for that,” Bobo said. “We still had chances to play well (against Hawaii). (My absence) does not cause us to hold.”

Bobo has chosen to avoid any excuses in his career at CSU and has stated multiple times leading up to the showdown that the talk of his lack of success in rivalry games is on him. He realizes the nature of a win-loss orientated job and embraces the results, positive or negative.

Health concerns have already caused Bobo to shift away from his usual routines, limiting the coaches’ ability to impact the team. Forced to coach from the press box, Bobo’s unintentional

lack of health is not the only reason he should be given a break.

Recruiting and player motivation has been at a high level at all times under the former Georgia coordinator.

The Rams under Bobo are a better team for the present and the future, but another loss may tip the scales out of his favor in the eyes of those outside the program.

Luke Zahlmann can be reached at sports@collegian.com.

The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, August 31, 2018

5

6 inside the lines

Despite recording-setting CSU veterans focused on leaving a winning legacy in their final showdown performance, K.J. Carta-

Samuels job is still unsafe

By Eddie Herz @Eddie_Herz

There is no question that the Rocky Mountain Showdown tends to be the most important regular season game in the eyes of Colorado State fans. The significance of the game is evident throughout the locker room as well.

But, here is some added significance for a few Rams this time around.

A few of CSU’s seniors will be playing in the Rocky Mountain Showdown for the fourth and final time. Graduating from the program without a win to their names is almost unfathomable In their eyes on Friday, they are going to lay it all on the line.

Izzy Matthews is one of those players who has watched his rivals from Boulder hoist the trophy in each of the last three seasons. Matthews has had trouble against the Buffaloes in the past.

Last season, he carried the ball 10 times for only 31 yards. In 2016, the running back collected just 13 yards in seven attempts.

Now Matthews finally has the chance to be CSU’s feature back during the Rocky Mountain Showdown. Previously, he was behind Dalyn Dawkins on the depth chart. Matthews has more input than ever to help bring a Rocky Mountain Showdown victory back to Fort Collins.

“It’s personal this year,” Matthews said. “I haven’t beaten them since I’ve been here. Our class has never beat them. It honestly would be kind of a disgrace to leave here 0-4. It’s important to leave a legacy.”

Matthews is from California.

So, it may have been tough for him to recognize the significance of the rivalry when he first arrived in Fort Collins, but that is no longer the case.

“This year, if I’m not crawling off the field at the end of the game, I’m really not going to feel like I did enough.”

IZZY MATTHEWS SENIOR RUNNING BACK

It is apparent that even if a player has no prior knowledge of the heated-rivalry, one is aware of how impactful the outcome of the game.

“After that first loss you kind of see how it affects the town,” Matthews said. “How it affects the community and just how important it is to everyone in the state.”

On the other hand, take Olabisi Johnson for example. Johnson was born and raised in Lakewood and attended Bear Creek

Eddie Herz @Eddie_Herz

Defeating Hawaii last week would have done much more for the Colorado State Rams than reverse a zero in the win column.

Earning a season-opening victory was obviously the most important thing for CSU last week.

But it cannot go unnoticed that defeating the Rainbow Warriors last week would have completely changed the Rams’ current quarterback situation.

As anyone following CSU football knows, the starting job is graduate transfer K.J. Carta-Samuels’ to lose. Collin Hill will be cleared to play seemingly any day now and it definitely does not send a good message to Carta-Samuels, as far as his job concerns, that Hill is listed as a captain.

The moniker basically says

that CSU is Hill’s team. Hill obviously won’t just immediately overtake Carta-Samuels once he is healthy. But, there will be a much shorter leash than necessary on Carta-Samuels once Hill is cleared.

Carta-Samuels was aware of Hill’s potential when he transferred here. Picking to come to Fort Collins from Washington was a bit of a risk considering this is Carta-Samuels’ final shot at being a consistent starter.

There is no denying that Hill has earned all of the respect he’s been given for grinding through multiple injuries since 2016. But, Carta-Samuels came to CSU to play. His audition to start the season should have solidified his role for the time being and given him some well-deserved room for error.

After all, the graduate transfer set the Colorado State singlegame passing record in his first ever game as a Ram. It really see CARTA-SAMUELS on page 7 >>

Junior wide receiver Olabisi Johnson (81) stiff arms a Nevada defender during the first half of the Rams’ 44-42 win over the Wolfpack. PHOTO

BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN

High School. The wide receiver had feelings about this rivalry before he was even playing high school football.

Whether Johnson grew up a CSU fan or not, he was aware of what the game meant from a young age.

Last season, CSU fans remember the role Johnson played. Besides hauling in six grabs for 71 yards, Johnson was victim to a few questionable offensive pass interference calls that heavily impacted the game.

Considering what Johnson has gone through in this rivalry and the fact that he is from Colorado, there may not be one CSU player to whom a victory would mean more to.

“Losing these game leaves a bad taste in your mouth,” Johnson said. “It has been tough the last three years to see that happen. But we are definitely ready to go get that trophy.”

Besides being motivated because this is his final shot at defeating CU, Johnson also feels that his wide receiver group is entering the game with more finesse than ever.

Johnson himself had 157 receiving yards last week and scored twice, Tennessee transfer Preston Williams recorded 188 yards and two touchdowns with sophomore Warren Jackson collected 72 yards on five receptions as well.

“I saw the stats after the game and I was very impressed with what all three of us did,” Johnson said. “We have huge momentum going into the game and the (defensive backs) down there should be a little worried.”

Senior center Colby Meeks, as well as senior linebackers Tre

Thoms and Josh Watson, complete the list of key Rams who have fallen victim to three Rocky Mountain Showdown defeats.

Similar to Matthews, Meeks will be forced to play a much more crucial role in the game than he has in years past. But that is not something the center is unprepared for.

In 2016, starting left guard Joe Thurston was forced to exit the rivalry game with an injury.

As a result, Meeks had to step in and compensate for the loss.

Meeks was a sophomore at the time who was still grasping the significance of the rivalry.

Now CSU’s starting center fully understands it. Besides desiring a victory for personal reasons, there is a lot Meeks wants to demonstrate with a victory.

“I want to just prove that we can do this, we are a good team and we can do just as well as CU,” Meeks said. “I want to show the younger guys that they can keep improving on this legacy and do things that we haven’t done before.”

Despite an ugly loss to Hawaii last week, CSU players are keeping their heads up. After all, it is common knowledge that each team gets a clean slate heading into a rivalry game.

It would not matter if the Rams were 8-0 or 0-8 right now.

The desperation to beat CU is clear. Even more so when examining the players who have experienced multiple painful defeat in the Showdown.

“It’s a constant burning angst to really just go out there and pull out a win for the city,” Matthews said.

Eddie Herz can be reached at sports@collegian.com

Colorado State Quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels makes a deep pass from the pocket during the fourth quarter of play against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. The Rams fell to the Warriors 43-34 at Canvas Stadium on Aug. 25 in Fort Collins. PHOTO BY ELLIOTT JERGE COLLEGIAN

inside the lines

CartaSamuels >> from page 6 doesn’t get better than that.

In fact, besides the one interception, there essentially is not a way Carta-Samuels could have done more.

Astonishingly, Carta-Samuels threw four of his five touchdowns and 422 of his 537 passing yards in the second half, when it mattered most. He almost accomplished what would have arguably been the greatest comeback in program history.

The reason the team failed was not his fault. CSU’s baffled defense is to blame there.

Carta-Samuels’ performance is being completely overshadowed by the fact that the Rams lost to a team in rebuild mode coming off of a 3-9 season. CSU also entered the game as 17-point favorites, making it a monumental upset.

Imagine if CSU’s defense was somewhat effective and the Rams came out on top like they should have. Every headline would be pointing to Carta-Samuels’ brilliant debut.

Instead, the biggest storylines highlight the struggling state of Rams’ football.

If Hawaii missed the field

goal attempt while leading 4034 and then Carta-Samuels led the Rams on a game-winning drive, the signal caller would be in the spotlight and his job would be significantly safer.

I am not saying Carta-Samuels would still be the starter even if he went out and consistently performed horribly from here on. But, Carta-Samuels would be given the benefit of the doubt much more than he will be now.

The sentiment is especially true if CSU keeps losing. The fans will demand change and pressure will be put on Bobo to make an attempt at fixing things.

At the end of the day, the better quarterback is the one who should play. I am sure Hill will get his shot sooner or later.

It is just questionable that Carta-Samuels probably still feels like he has to prove himself after putting together the best performance under center in the 125-year program history.

Looking at the quarterbacks whom Carta-Samuels passed on the CSU single-game passing list gives a sense of the unlikely situation the quarterback is in. All of which were consistent starters.

Carta-Samuels broke Scooter Molander’s previous record of 449 passing yards in a game, which was coincidentally set against Hawaii as well. Molander did so in the 1987 season, a season in which he also

7

K.J. Carta-Samuels high fives Collin Hill in between drills at practice on Aug. 2. PHOTO BY ASHLEY POTTS COLLEGIAN

came to CSU as a transfer. Molander started 23 games in two seasons for the Rams.

Two of the guys close behind Carta-Samuels on the list are Garrett Grayson and Nick Stevens. And we all know that they

were constant starters as well.

It’s odd to say that a loss can tarnish a prestigious individual record. Though Carta-Samuels will be remembered for what he did, he won’t be awarded appropriately.

Eddie Herz can be reached at sports@collegian.com

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The Rocky Mountain Collegian Friday, August 31, 2018

9

10 inside the lines

From Denmark to CSU, Hougaard-Jensen is all business

By Sergio Santistevan @TheRealsSergio

In the previous two seasons, Paulina Hougaard-Jensen has been exceptional for the Colorado State volleyball team. Unfortunately for opposing teams, she still has another two years to compete before finishing her college career.

The Copenhagen, Denmark native, has racked up accolade after accolade throughout her volleyball career.

From 2013-2015 Hougaard-Jensen was named the best middle blocker in the Danish Youth Championship at the under-21 level. In 2015-2016, she competed for her club team, Brøndby Volley, and ranked as the top middle blocker in the Danish Volleyliga.

In the middle of the 2015 season, after hearing from a few different connections, Coach Tom Hilbert decided to check out the Danish prospect on film.

“I thought she was good on film but it’s hard on video sometimes to make a final decision, so I went over there (Denmark),” Hilbert said.

In Hilbert’s visit to Denmark, Hougaard-Jensen was sick and did not look the same, but to him, it did not matter as he invited her to Fort Collins anyways.

After a 15 hour flight, Hougaard-Jensen arrived at Denver International Airport, immediately in awe.

During her visit to Fort Collins, Hougaard-Jensen fell in love with Old Town and the Uni-

versity.

“Once I got here I was really excited about the town,” she said. “Obviously, Moby (Arena) was (like) nothing I’ve ever seen.”

With the University of Nebraska showing some interest as well, Hilbert was unsure about Hougaard-Jensen’s decision. In the end, she signed with CSU. In her final season in Denmark, Hougaard-Jensen won first place for their senior national team at the 2016 Novotel Cup. As a freshman, Hougaard-Jensen appeared in 20 matches for the Rams with five starts mixed in. She averaged 1.2 kills and 0.7 blocks per set in her limited freshmen campaign.

“Freshmen year I had a totally different role,” she said. “My role was if one of them didn’t play too well, I got to play … if they needed some blocking.”

In her breakout sophomore campaign, Hougaard-Jensen shattered her freshman numbers and started every game as the Rams’s middle blocker.

At the start of the season, CSU went undefeated in the Seminole Invitational Tournament, and Hougaard-Jensen was selected to the Home2Suites by Hilton Tallahassee Seminole Invitational All-Tournament Team.

Despite all the talent surrounding her, Hougaard-Jensen finished the season third on the team with 271 kills and ranked second in the nation with a hitting percentage of .474. Her season was solid enough that she was able to add another acco-

+

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Paulina Hougaard-Jensen serves during the home opener against Illinois. PHOTO BY ASHLEY POTTS COLLEGIAN

lade to her list: 2017 Mountain West All-Conference.

“It’s a huge honor and I’m really excited about it since I got to share it with a lot of girls on the team too,” she said.

The Rams’s terrific season came to an end at the hands of Stanford University in the second round of the NCAA tournament but Hougaard-Jensen, and the Rams have set even higher standards for this season.

“We should make it pass the second round of the NCAA tournament (this year),” Hougaard-Jensen said. “I think this team can …. build ourselves up this year.”

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After the graduation of four seniors, and with no seniors on this years’ team, Hilbert will rely on the serious leadership style and experienced play of Hougaard-Jensen, along with the rest of the juniors on the team if the Rams want to make a run in the NCAA tournament.

“She’s a serious person,” Hilbert said. “She wants to be good, and she shows people every day how badly she wants to be good.”

Hougaard-Jensen earned the right to help lead the young Rams off the court by earning Mountain West Academic All-Conference and Mountain West Scholar-Athlete in her

first two seasons. But, even as a leader, Hougaard-Jensen is still looking for ways to improve her own game to top-off last season’s campaign.

She’s looking to have more kills this season, become the full-time serving middle and improve her blocking.

“She’s ended up being everything we thought and more,” Hilbert said. “She’s probably one of the hardest workers, most dedicated, most self-driven people we got on the team.”

Sergio Santistevan can be reached at sports@collegian.com

The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, August 31, 2018

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11

12 inside the lines

CSU volleyball enjoys home-court advantage like few others

By Mack Beaulieu @Macknz_James

After years of being the Mountain West’s best team and one of the nation’s most consistent programs, it makes sense the Colorado State Rams are one of the nation’s most watched teams.

But, that is not always a given in college volleyball. The Rams are defying the odds with a team that has the No. 2 ranked attendance in the country.

The Rams have long enjoyed a home-court advantage that tops most of their foes, but this year has a chance to be their best, after topping out as the sixth-most attended volleyball home court back in 2014.

The team’s string of success, an open and vibrant Fort Collins’ community and invested members of CSU volleyball help make it all possible.

“It has to do with the fact that we’ve been winning on a consistent basis.” coach Tom Hilbert said. “It has to do with the size of the community and how reachable everybody is.

This is a community where people are looking for things to do.

This is a community where you can get out and meet people. I don’t know if that’s usually the case.”

Hilbert and the players help take the lead in community involvement with events like Hilbert’s Happy Hour, hosted at the Mayor of Old town every Wednesday, as well as interacting with booster clubs, providing free volleyball clinics and being open to the public.

“The players are the best advocates for themselves,” CSU assistant director of marketing Brynne Davis said. “Everybody likes peer to peer marketing and they feel a special connection when (someone with the program) invites them out to the game.”

Building relationships with the people of Fort Collins had played right into the philosophy that Hilbert has embraced over his 20-plus years of service to the Rams’ volleyball team.

“It is a lot of work,” Hilbert

Fans adorned in white cheer on the Rams at their home-opening match against No. 12 Illinois. The attendance was an all-time record for CSU volleyball and one of the highest totals in Division I volleyball history. PHOTO BY ASHLEY POTTS COLLEGIAN

said. “It’s a work over time and it’s a constant work in progress because the most important aspect of what we’ve done in our community attendance is basically relationship building.”

That long-term approach could be key in helping the Rams remain a storied program, as the Rams inspire younger girls in the local area and give other players a reason to keep coming to CSU. “We did a free kids clinic down in Old Town,” Oleksak said. “We’re like ‘hey come to our games,’ and a bunch of them showed up... It’s definitely one of the reasons I chose CSU. We play these teams and there ar-

en’t nearly as many people so it makes a big difference.”

That work has paid off, as the Rams have about 1,400 season ticket holders according to Hilbert. Many of them belong to local families.

That number alone would be good enough to put the Rams ahead of about two-thirds of other schools’ attendance, but there are many more people at Rams’ volleyball that help make nights like last week’s record-breaking attempt at a sellout.

There’s little doubt that the Rams’ opponents notice the overwhelming crowd. The No. 12 ranked Illinois, took time to

notice the Rams crowd, being one of the many bigger schools that can’t pull in as large of a crowd as the Rams.

“When the crowd is large, it honestly gets in the head of the other team,” junior Jessica Jackson said. “We’ll go to other schools and they barely have 15, 20 people in the crowd. It’s just like we’re so lucky and so blessed to be able to play here and play in front of such a huge Rams’ fanbase.”

The Rams will get another chance to boost that attendance this weekend as they take on three of their most competitive opponents in Florida State University, Texas-Christian Uni-

versity and the University of Cincinnati.

While fans will not be treated to any big promotions this week, because of the strength of their opponents, the team will be available immediately after the game for fan interaction.

Some promotions the Rams will be using to increase attendance later in the year include a Halloween-themed Border War, an orange-out weekend in September and a ‘90s day against the Air Force Academy, all in order to give fans a one-ofa-kind experience.

Mack Beaulieu can be reached at sports@collegian. com.

Practice sportsmanship at the Rocky Mountain Showdown

By CSU & CU’s Student Governments @CSUCollegian

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by the Collegian or its editorial board. Letters to the Editor reflect the view of a member of the campus community and are submitted to the publication for approval. Tristan Syron is the

President of Associated Students of Colorado State University.

Dear fellow students: In light of the upcoming Rocky Mountain Showdown, we are reminded of the important role competition plays in our sports, our university system, and our lives. We must also simultaneously acknowledge the clear distinction between competitiveness and incivility.

While we enjoy the competition that our sports teams cultivate, we must not do so at the

expense of basic manners and sportsmanship.

Keep in mind that profanity is poor sportsmanship and does not help build community among the schools. Ram and Buffalo pride is not about putting others down, but rather about positive cheers.

As students of the University of Colorado at Boulder and Colorado State University, we feel it is important to remind you that no student is immune from university discipline sim-

ply because they are off campus.

Both universities work closely with stadium officials to ensure that fans enjoy a safe and lawful Showdown. Underage drinking or any other violations will not be tolerated. For those of you who decide to legally consume alcohol, we ask that you do so in a safe and responsible manner.

We hope you enjoy this Friday’s game and show your school spirit.

May the best team win, Tristan Syron, Associated

Students of CSU President Ben Amundson, Associated Students of CSU Speaker of the Senate Jake Reagan, David Kidd, Olivia Wittenberg, CU Boulder Student Body Presidents Josh Ney, CU Boulder Legislative Council President The Collegian sports desk can be reached at sports@collegian.com.

The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, August 31, 2018

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13

14 inside the lines

Carta-Samuels is poised for his next big challenge

By Mack Beaulieu @Macknz_James

K.J. Carta Samuels came into his first Colorado State season breaking records. Now, the graduate transfer will try and prove that four years in a power-5 program and one start has prepared him for the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

“It would worry me if he was starting this game without having a start.

As far as playing in the showdown, there’s going to be pressure because you’re the quarterback, but you don’t need to put added pressure on yourself because of X number of people, and the fans, or because it’s this. At the end of the day, it’s ‘I gotta go play and I gotta go execute.’”

MIKE BOBO CSU FOOTBALL COACH

Of course, Carta-Samuels first start was not all sunshine.

The Rams took an unexpected loss at home to the University of Hawaii, but there’s hope to be found in the fact that Carta-Samuels came out in the second half and responded like a pumped-up veteran.

“He’s a grad transfer,” coach Mike Bobo said. “I think he’s mature, I think he understands big-time college atmosphere. He wasn’t the starter at Washington,

but heres a guy who’s been in bigtime college environments. He’s been in the national championship playoffs… there’s something about being a part of, any type of, that big-time atmosphere that he understands.”

In the first half of the Aug. 25 game against Hawaii, his experience level was unclear to Rams’ fans. After driving down the field on their first possession, with the exception of a missed field goal, the Rams did not threaten again in the first half.

“It was awesome to start out quick,” Carta-Samuels said. “I wish we would’ve sustained, obviously, and kept that going each drive, but the second drive we hit some adversity with falling down and throwing a pick and stuff, but that happens in the game of football.”

In the second half, it was a much different story. Carta-Samuels was visibly fired up from the sidelines. It was the first real indication of confidence that Rams’ fans were able to witness from the quarterback, but Carta-Samuels had that confidence even after a lousy first half.

After halftime, the Rams came out and did to the Hawaii defense what everyone had expected them to do. Preston Williams, Olabisi Johnson, and the rest of the receiving core came up huge to help take off the impending pressure of being blown out in week one.

“He came in with a great mentality in that second half,” Johnson said. “He was fired up and I think guys really fed off of him. Sometimes you don’t see that from a quarterback, but he was getting emotional. In the first game and everything, so it was good to see.”

The second half culminated in Carta-Samuels setting the

Colorado State Quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels makes a deep pass from the pocket during the fourth quarter of play against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. The Rams fell to the Warriors 43-34 at Canvas Stadium on Aug. 25. PHOTO BY ELLIOTT JERGE COLLEGIAN

all-time single-game record for passing yards in school history (537). Along with the yardage, he accounted for five touchdowns and 25 yards rushing.

Carta-Samuels seemed pleased with his second-half performance, but he still sees room for growth. “(The) biggest thing I learned…,” Carta Samuels said.

“We have playmakers, we can score quickly and we can score fast, which is awesome, but also sometimes that can be tough on the defense too… It’s awesome to have that ability to score whenever we want, but we also need to be consistent.”

Olabisi Johnson points downfield after making a reception against CU during the Rocky Mountain Showdown in 2017. PHOTO BY FOREST CZARNECKI COLLEGIAN

While Carta-Samuels is saying all the right things and certainly showed resilience in that first game, there’s no doubt that finally getting a start under his belt is extra reassurance for Bobo.

Carta Samuels isn’t sure if nerves played a role in the first half against Hawaii, as the Rams offense was kept off the field by long Hawaii drives, but either way, he expects to be calmer against the University of Colorado.

Carta-Samuels is speaking and acting like a veteran quarterback this week, but he doesn’t see a lack of excitement in his future.

As Johnson alluded to, that could be a good thing.

“I think I’ll be a little bit calmer,” Carta Samuels said. “I can’t really tell if it’s nerve or excitement, you know? You’re just excited about the experience. I used to feel pretty nervous when I was younger, but I think with age and time it’s more excitement now…. I think if you don’t feel that, there might be something wrong with you.”

The Rams will seek to reverse course under the tutelage of Carta-Samuels under the lights in Denver, kickoff at 7 p.m. Friday.

Mackenzie Beaulieu can be reached at sports@collegian.com

Colorado State Wide Receiver Olabisi Johnson makes a run for the end zone during the Rocky Mountain Showdown on September 1, 2017 at Mile High Stadium. The Rams were defeated by the Buffaloes 17-3.

PHOTO BY ELLIOTT JERGE COLLEGIAN

inside the lines

Kirstie Hillyer and Sasha Columbo celebrate after a block during the game against UNC WIllmington.

15

Breana Runnels celebrates after a good play during the game against UNC Willmington. PHOTO BY ASHLEY POTTS COLLEGIAN

PHOTO BY ASHLEY POTTS COLLEGIAN

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16 Friday, August 31, 2018 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

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