Rocky Mountain Collegian Pink Out Football Edition

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Quicker Than the Rest

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CSU offense faces vaunted Boise State defense

What to watch for when the Rams take the field

Collegian Sports Staff makes its predictions for Saturday’s game

Kiel Robinson has used his athletic pedigree to carve out his own path

Jasen Oden Jr. Collectible Poster INSIDE |PAGE 10|

Friday, October 9, 2015 Volume 124, No. 40 • collegian.com

PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR COLLEGIAN

Beat Boise State!

Go Rams!

2 Friday, October 9, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

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Stampeding Broncos: At a Glance

Rushing Yards in Last Year’s Matchup 324 yards

Boise State: Cream of the Crop 2nd — national rank in rushing defense

5th — national rank in turnover margin

28 yards Average Rushing Yards This Season 192.2 yards

3rd — national rank in third down defense

8th — national rank in points allowed per game at 12.4

Series History vs. CSU

4-0

107-10 — record in conference games dating back to 2000

Total Scoring

204 - 81 No. 13, Jeremy McNichols

2011 Offensive Explosion

10 rushing touchdowns Ranks 2nd nationally

63 points 742 yards

BY MARIAH WENZEL COLLEGIAN

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Staff picks: CSU vs. Boise State The Colorado State Rams face quite possibly their toughest test of the season in reigning Mountain West champion No. 25 Boise State. The Rams will be looking for their first ever victory against the Broncos, who beat CSU 37-24 last year on their signature blue turf. This year, the Rams get a crack at BSU in their own back yard. The Collegian weighs in on this week’s match-

Emmett McCarthy Sports Editor

Score: 35-21 Boise State Prediction: No team in the conference is on Boise State’s level. That said, I’m not expecting a blowout. CSU should be able to make it competitive at home, and maybe build some confidence in the process. Like last year, the Rams should be able to put some points up as long as they can get the ball to their receivers. But, the Broncos are too good, and CSU will struggle to keep them out of the end zone.

Keegan Pope

Sam Lounsberry

Brett Kennedy

Geoff Huebner

Football Reporter

Assistant Sports Editor

CTV Sports Anchor

Football Reporter

Score: 42-10 Boise State Prediction: Remember when Boise State rolled into Fort Collins four years ago and rolled CSU 63-13? This Saturday won’t be that bad, but it won’t be pretty. Boise State’s defense is among the best in the country, allowing just 51 rushing yards per game. Last season the Broncos flustered a CSU offense that had two NFL draft picks and an All-Mountain West running back. The Rams have none of those this year, and BSU’s defense may be even better. CSU has yet to prove that it can avoid costly mistakes and penalties, two areas where the Broncos take full advantage of their opportunities. It is by no means time to hit the panic button for Mike Bobo and Co., but they have got a long way to go to unseat Boise State as the league’s premier team.

Score: 31-13 Boise State Prediction: So far, CSU’s offense has yet to show it’s come to full fruition. While the Rams’ young quarterbacks have handled adversity late in games at times, forcing overtime in a couple, I don’t see CSU staying close to Boise State. The Broncos’ secondary leads the nation in interceptions, and its defensive line is deep enough to ensure its rushers are plenty rested the entire game. As stellar as CSU’s receiving core can be, open looks will be hard to come by for Nick Stevens.

And, I doubt CSU can trounce the Broncos with its running game. The Rams will cross into Boise territory, but will be held to field goals for the most part.

Score: 38-16 Boise State Prediction: Ever try to stop a freight train? Yeah me neither, but that’s what CSU will have to try to do on Saturday. This Boise State team is steamrolling right now, coming off a 55-0 beatdown of Hawaii last week. The Broncos would be undefeated if not for a BYU miracle bomb.

The Rams’ run defense really scares me after giving up almost 200 yards rushing to Utah State’s backup quarterback last week. I expect Boise State running back Jeremy McNichols to have a big day running the football. Nick Stevens is facing a secondary that knows how to take the ball away and probably won’t let the Rams’ receivers beat them very often. I do see CSU turning it around this season, just not this week.

Score: 35-10 Boise State

Prediction: Although the Colorado State football team is still on the grind to improve every week, this week’s challenge will prove to be simply too much for the Rams; as it would be for many teams.

Since 2000, with an overall record of 171-29, The Broncos are the winningest football program in the country. They rank ahead of even Ohio State (162-36), Oklahoma (165-39), LSU (154-45) and Oregon (150-48). The Broncos are sound, do not beat themselves and can do equal damage on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. It will take at least another week for the Rams to get their first conference victory.

Sports Desk can be reached at sports@collegian.com.

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Three Keys with Keegs: Boise State at Colorado State

By Keegan Pope @ByKeeganPope

Colorado State (2-3, 0-1 Mountain West) and Boise State (4-1, 1-0 MW) face off in key matchup at Hughes Stadium Saturday. The Rams, coming off a loss to Utah State last Saturday, will look to get their season back on track against a Broncos team that recently re-entered the top25 polls.

When the Rams and Broncos face off Saturday, look out for these three key matchups: Colorado State wide receiver Rashard Higgins vs. Boise State cornerback Donte Deayon Coaches and players always preach about the importance of going “best-on-best.” That’s exactly what they’ll get when Higgins and Deayon face off Saturday night. Higgins is returning consensus All-American and a likely finalist for the Biletnikoff award.

Deayon is a two-time Jim Thorpe Award (given to the nation’s best defensive back) candidate and is second all-time on the Mountain West’s career interceptions list.

Along with safety Darian Thomp-

son, Deayon gives Boise State one of the best secondaries in the country. They will have their hands full with CSU’s wide receiver group and Higgins in particular.

Colorado State offensive line vs.

Boise State front seven If CSU has any shot to beat the Broncos Saturday at Hughes Stadium, its offensive line will have to come up huge. Boise State’s defense is among the best in the nation, especially against the run, and CSU knows that very well. The Rams could only muster 28 yards last year in CSU’s loss 35-24, and the Broncos are even better against the run than they were a year ago. If CSU can run the ball effectively, they might be able to set up quarterback Nick Stevens in the play-action passing game. If not, it will be a very, very long day for the Rams’ offense.

Boise State running back Jeremy McNichols vs. Colorado Sate red-zone defense There hasn’t been a better running back near the end zone this season than McNichols.

Despite averaging just 4.6 yards per rush and 76 yards per game,

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

McNichols is tied for second in the FBS with 10 rushing touchdowns. CSU’s defense hasn’t been great in the red zone, rank-

ing 79th in the FBS. Boise State’s offense will be able to move the ball against CSU, but if the Rams can hold the Broncos to field

goals, they’ll give themselves a lot better shot to win.

Keegan Pope can be reached at kpope@collegian.com.

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Friday, October 9, 2015 • Page 7

When the Rams are on defense...

Colorado State

Boise State

9 - Martavius Foster, LDE, 6-4, 270, Senior

4 - Brett Rypien, QB, 6-2, 199, Freshman

68 - Justin Hansen, DT, 6-5, 305, Senior

13 - Jeremy McNichols, RB, 5-9, 205, Sophomore

93 - Terry Jackson, DT, 6-1, 295, Senior

88 - Jake Roh, TE, 6-3, 229, Sophomore

90 - Joe Kawulok, RDE, 6-6, 250, Senior

6 - Chaz Anderson, WR, 5-10, 2186, Junior

15 - Kiel Robinson, SLB, 6-2, 225, Sophomore

82 - Thomas Sperbeck, WR, 6-0, 175, Junior

31 - Cory James, MLB, 6-0, 245, Senior

1 - Shane Williams-Rhodes, WR, 5-6, 173, Senior

33 - Kevin Davis, WLB, 6-3, 240, Junior

66 - Mario Yakoo, RT, 6-4, 329, Junior

13 - DeAndre Elliott, LCB, 6-1, 185, Senior

70 - Steven Baggett, RG, 6-3, 282, Junior

16 - Trent Matthews, SS, 6-3, 210, Senior

72 - Marcus Henry, C, 6-3, 293, Senior

26 - Kevin Pierre-Louis, FS, 6-1, 215, Senior

73 - Travis Averill, LG, 6-3, 299, Junior

24 - Preston Hodges, RCB, 5-11, 200, Junior

71 - Rees Odhiambo, LT, 6-4, 309, Senior

When the Rams are on offense...

Colorado State

Boise State

7 - Nick Stevens, QB, 6-3, 205, Sophomore

69 - Tyler Horn, DE, 6-5, 298, Senior

1 - Dalyn Dawkins, RB, 5-9, 175, Sophomore

40 - Armand Nance, NT, 6-0, 306, Senior

82 - Rashard Higgins, WR, 6-2, 190, Junior

90 - Justin Taimatuia, DT, 6-0, 298, Senior

25 - Joe Hansley, WR, 5-10, 180, Senior

8 - Kamalei Correa, STUD, 6-3, 248, Junior

2 - Deionte Gaines, WR, 5-8, 180, Sophomore

51 - Ben Weaver, WLB, 6-0, 228, Junior

86 - Kivon Cartwright, TE, 6-4, 245, Senior

20 - Tanner Vallejo, MLB, 6-1, 230, Junior

71 - Sam Carlson, RT, 6-4, 295, Senior

3 - Chanceller James, Nickel, 6-2, 216, Junior

54 - Fred Zerblis, RG, 6-3, 295, Junior

5 - Donte Deayon, CB, 5-9, 155, Senior

77 - Jake Bennett, C, 6-3, 295, Sophomore

24 - Kameron Miles, S, 6-1, 215, Sophomore

61 - Zack Golditch, LG, 6-6, 290, Sophomore

4 - Darian Thompson, S, 6-2, 212, Senior

76 - Nick Callender, LT, 6-6. 315, Junior

2 - Jonathan Moxey, CB, 5-10, 188, Junior KEEGAN POPE COLLEGIAN

8 Friday, October 9, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

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Quicker than the competition

Sophomore linebacker Kiel Robinson ranks 5th on CSU with 25 tackles. photo by Austin Simpson COLLEGIAN

“...Even if I’m out leveraged, I’m still able to get there and make a play. I can cover receivers, it just helps me be very versatile out there.”

Kiel Robinson linebacker

By Geoff Huebner @HuebnerMedia93

To play football at the college level takes an extreme amount of talent, commitment and fortitude.

Many young athletes dedicate themselves to the sport for years, picking up the game at the youth level and continuing to play until senior year of high school rolls around. At this point, an athlete may very well have played for about half of his or her young life before not having the talent to compete at the next level becomes a reality.

Colorado State sophomore linebacker Kiel Robinson was able to reach the college level with just four years of competitive football experience.

“I’ve been playing sports since I was just a little kid,” Robinson said. “Baseball, football, basketball, running track – all that stuff.”

But, when did he strap on the pads and compete in real action for the first time?

“Not until my freshman year of high school,” Robinson said.

Now, in his first year as a starter for the Rams, the San Marcos, California native is following in the footsteps of his talented family. His mother, Synthia, played volleyball at Pepperdine and his father, David, played football for the USC Trojans.

His grandfather was also a very talented man to say the very least. Often referred to as “The Genius,” Robinson’s grandfather is 25-time Grammy Award winner Ray Charles Robinson, better known as Ray Charles.

“I didn’t really spend a lot of time with him, but I’ve met him a few times and I remember going to one of his concerts,” Robinson said. “It was really fun to just be around him, talking with him, and him treating me like his grandson.”

While Robinson holds those memories close – he said he used to be good on the piano himself – he wants to make a name for himself on the football field, and not be known simply as Ray’s grandson.

His teammates and coaches have taken notice of his commitment and his abilities.

“He’s got speed, Kiel is a very fast guy,” junior linebacker Deonte Clyburn said. “He’s very smart too, he can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. He can make up for things with his speed, he’s a good guy and a good player.”

Despite missing the Rocky Mountain Showdown due to a concussion, Robinson has been able to make an impact for CSU's defense this year. In his four games of action, he has 25 tackles (fifth-best on the team), including two sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss.

First year head coach Mike Bobo liked what he saw in Robinson as soon as he got a look at him in spring camp. Whenever Bobo was asked about who could possibly replace last year's leading tacklers Aaron Davis and Max Morgan, it was Robinson's name that was consistently brought up.

“Kiel is a guy that can run, he is extremely fast,” Bobo said.

“He’s a guy that will play out in our field-backer, which sometimes we substitute at nickel, and he’s talented enough to play out there when we don’t have to

go nickel defense, which is a good thing.”

The frame of the six-foottwo inch, 225-pounder makes his speed that much more noticeable. It makes sense – Robinson has been outrunning opposing athletes for years.

“It started in basketball in probably sixth grade, when I was playing rec ball and I noticed that I actually had speed and its been a big part of my sports career since then,” Robinson said.

He also knows that having that quickness at his size and his position can set him apart from others.

“It’s very helpful because even if I’m out leveraged, I’m still able to get there and make a play,” Robinson said. “I can cover receivers, it just helps me be very versatile out there.”

Being a sophomore, Robinson has plenty of time to keep building on what he has done on the field this year.

“He’s still young," Bobo said.

"Young kid... first year starting, first year playing. (He's) improving.”

Robinson knows he is still

young and recognizes his opportunity to grow. He hopes to one day play at the next level in the NFL. “I’m excited for the rest of this season and my two upcoming years,” Robinson said. “It’s only my sophomore year, but I’m going to keep working the rest of this year, my junior year, and my senior year to get there.”

As of now, Robinson – just like the rest of the Rams – is focusing primarily on the upcoming conference powerhouse Boise State. The Broncos are defending their 2014 Mountain West championship and have a national-best 107-10 record in conference games since the start of the 2000 season.

“We need to play like were supposed to,” Robinson said.

“We’ve got to be physically sound, we’ve go to know our assignments — no mistakes.

We know they are a physical team and don’t make a lot of mistakes on offense, so we just have to play at our highest level.”

Geoff Huebner can be reached at sports@collegian.com.

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Friday, October 9, 2015 • Page 9

Biletnikoff Watch: “Hollywood” Higgins 2014 Stats

(through four games)

28 receptions 404 receiving yards 4 receiving touchdowns 14.4 yards per catch

2015 Stats

(has only played four games)

30 receptions 426 receiving yards 4 receiving touchdowns 14.2 yards per catch photo by Abbie Parr COLLEGIAN

The Dynamic Duo Last Year vs. Boise State

Rashard Higgins: 11 catches 143 yards Joe Hansley: 7 catches 149 yards 1 touchdown photo by Abbie Parr COLLEGIAN

photo by Austin Simpson COLLEGIAN

Friday, October 8, 2015 Volume 124, No. 40 • collegian.com

photo by Austin Simpson COLLEGIAN

Collectible Poster 4 of 8 Boise State vs. CSU

| 6 | Jasen Oden Jr. | RB | Senior |

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12 Friday, October 9, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

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Boise State brings dynamic offense into Hughes

By Geoff Huebner @Huebnermedia93

The No. 25 Boise State Broncos (4-1, 1-0 MW) roll into Hughes Stadium Saturday and will look to test the grit of the Colorado State Rams (2-3, 0-1 MW).

“They expect to win every time they take the field, they’re just not hoping to win,” head coach Mike Bobo said.

Coming into Saturday’s game, the Broncos stand as the only team in the FBS to rank in the top 15 in scoring offense and defense. The Bronco offense is ranked 13th in the country, scoring 40.6 points per game.

The Rams are allowing 25.4 points per game, and often times the team has had to lean on its defense.

The pressure of facing a high-powered offense might have some defenses worried, but the Rams’ hardened unit is amped for the opportunity.

“We get really excited about games like this,” junior linebacker Deonte Clyburn said. “We feel like we’re a good defense no matter what has happened. We know they’re a very good team, but every team we’ve played this year is a good team so we’ve just got to work harder… we will be fine.”

The Broncos lost their starting quarterback to an ankle injury in their third game of the season, but backup Brett Rypien has stepped up and played big in the

wake of the injury.

“Rypien has come in and I don’t think he’s thrown an interception,” Bobo said. “ (They are) very efficient, they know what they are doing, they are sound.”

The dynamic Boise State offense doesn’t have to rely on just Rypien, either. They have talent all over the field, including sophomore running back Jeremy McNichols, who is off to an exceptional start to the season.

McNichols has 12 touchdowns on the year, 10 of which are on the ground.

The Boise State coaching staff knows how to get the most out of McNichols, Rypien and the rest of their weapons.

“They do a nice job of schemes with different personal groups and creating mismatches, and being able to run into the right look,” Bobo said. “(They) run the power, run the zone, run the counter, and can get the dirty three-, four-yard run.”

Despite the Broncos’ unique offense, the Rams will mentally prepare for this game as if it were any other. Just ask sophomore linebacker Kiel Robinson.

“We just look at it as they are just the next team, our next opponent,” Robinson said. “We just take it one week at a time, do what we do week in and week out.”

Senior safety Kevin Pierre-Louis adds to that notion.

“We’ve just got to go out there and be prepared like al-

ways. … We’ve just got to continue doing what were doing,” Pierre-Louis said.

The bend-but-don’t-break mentality, communication and discipline will be the keys for the defense Saturday.

“If we get beat one-on-one running a route that’s okay,” Bobo said. “Misalignment, not in the right fit … that’s unacceptable.”

The Broncos offense also has cohesion on their offensive line, adding to their dynamic abilities. Entering 2015, Boise State returned a combined 95 career starts throughout the offensive line. That is tied for the 15thmost in the country.

The Rams hope that the home-field advantage and their rowdy home crowd will disrupt that Broncos offensive line unit.

“It’s good to be home,” Pierre-Louis said. “We’ve been away for a few weeks now, it’s a good thing we’re going to have our crowd behind us.”

Having the home crowd behind them might just be the spark the Rams need to get them playing at their highest level Saturday.

“It’s a big part of it, you know, when you get out there in warmups and you see the stands are already pretty full before the game has started … it definitely ads a little fuel,” senior wide receiver Joe Hansley said.

Geoff Huebner can be reached at sports@collegian.com.

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Friday, October 9, 2015 • Page 13

McCarthy: Boise State is the pride of the Mountain West Emmett McCarthy @emccarthy22

No, Boise is not a state. But, the state of football in the city is something else. What Boise State University might lack in education (once again... not

ing Mountain West football champs are probably the only ranked team the Rams will face this year.

All knocks on the strength of the Mountain West come with an obvious disclaimer: “other than Boise State.” The 107-10 record in conference games dating back to 2000 – the best in the nation during that time – speaks for itself.

But, at the same time,

Beating Power Five teams has become a regular occurrence for Boise State. While the school is an outlier for the most part, its devotion to bolstering its football program has benefitted Group of Five schools across the country.

a state), the Broncos surely make up for on their trademark blue turf.

Once viewed as a gimmick, the Broncos’ blue field is now the signature of a dynasty. At No. 25 in the nation, the reign-

it doesn’t. Non-conference games are where Boise State has solidified its credibility.

The Broncos have consistently added notches to their belt in the form of Power Five schools, including a win at No. 19 Geor-

gia in 2011 (Colorado State head coach Mike Bobo was the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator at the time).

For a while though, the school was viewed as a sandbagger, beating up on weaker Western Athletic Conference teams (BSU was a member of the WAC from 2001-2011).

It wasn’t until the insanity known as the 2007 Fiesta Bowl that the nation had no choice but to take notice.

The gutsy play calling in the upset of No. 7 Oklahoma earned the Broncos a reputation for their offensive creativity. But, what they did on the other side of the ball was equally impressive: through four quarters, Adrian Peterson was held to 52 yards on 19 carries.

In the coming years, Boise State proved to be more than a one-hit wonder, and more than a one-trick pony (that one trick refers to, of course, trick plays).

The Broncos opened the 2009 season with a win over No. 16 Oregon. The Ducks, known as an offensive juggernaut, were held to eight points.

LaGarrette Blount finished

with negative-five rushing yards on eight carries.

BSU went undefeated again that year, capping the season off with another Fiesta Bowl win.

This time, it came against No. 4 TCU. The Broncos intercepted current NFL-starter Andy Dalton three times in the win.

Last year, they reminded the world yet again that the Fiesta Bowl was their domain.

A pick-six turned the game in their favor, and a sack on the final play sealed the win, as the Broncos took down No. 10 Arizona.

Beating Power Five teams has become a regular occurrence for Boise State. While the school is an outlier for the most part, its devotion to bolstering its football program has benefitted Group of Five schools across the country.

Having the Broncos around makes life difficult for other Mountain West teams, but ultimately it helps legitimize the conference.

Just think: every year, CSU has a built-in game on the schedule against a team that has beaten Oregon, Oregon

State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Washington, Virginia, Virginia Tech, TCU and Utah, all within the past decade.

It’s natural to wonder why BSU hasn’t made to jump to a Power Five conference. The truth is the Pac-12 doesn’t have much to gain by adding the Broncos. The 2011 additions of CU and Utah brought with them the TV markets of Denver and Salt Lake City – Boise pales in comparison. It would just be another school siphoning recruits from California, and it doesn’t bring the conference any closer in proximity to the hotbed that is the state of Texas.

I have no idea how much longer Boise State will be a part of the Mountain West. All I know is that I’m excited to watch an elite program play at Hughes Stadium Saturday.

I wish I could say that every week, but for now, at least we have a matchup with Boise State to be excited about every year.

Emmett McCarthy can be reached by e-mail at sports@ collegian.com.

14 Friday, October 9, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

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CSU offense faces its toughest challenge yet against Boise State

By Keegan Pope @ByKeeganPope

Things don’t get any easier for the Colorado State offense this week.

Following a week in which it faced a Utah State defense that boasted one of the nation’s best pass rushing units, CSU will face a unit that’s even better. Through five games, Boise State’s defense ranks in the top-10 nationally in total defense, rushing defense, team passing efficiency defense, scoring defense and turnover margin. The Broncos have pitched two shutouts this year, and just one team has scored more than 14 points.

CSU knows how good this defense is firsthand, though.

Last year, in a 35-24 win that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated, Boise State limited CSU to just 28 rushing yards, and forced CSU quarterback Garrett Grayson to throw a career-high 58 times. It wasn’t the plan CSU went into the game with, but the lack of success in the running game, coupled with a three-touchdown second quarter deficit, forced then-offensive co-

ordinator Dave Baldwin’s hand.

First-year head coach Mike Bobo hopes to avoid exactly that fate.

“We need to hope one of them falls down and we get a crack at a big run,” Bobo joked Monday. “They’re only giving up like 1.5 yards per rush right now.

But, we’ve got to be committed to the run, we’ve got to be consistent and we’ve got to make sure we run the runs into the right looks. That will gave us a chance to be successful. We can’t have wasted plays and we’ve got to win the one-on-one battle where we get the front handled and the backers handled, and then we’re one-on-one with a safety. We’ve got to be able to make that guy miss.”

All three of the players who caught touchdown passes – Jasen Oden Jr., Steven Walker and Joe Hansley – are back this season.

They understand the challenges Boise State’s defense presents, including the difficulty of replicating the size, speed and playmaking ability the Broncos have at every position.

“It really is hard (to replicate it),” Walker said. “I think

our scout team and defense does a great job of giving us the right looks. They do the best they can, but obviously it’s not going to be the exact same because they’re going to have the different adjustments they can make, and the stuff we just don’t know about.

It’s hard to see the exact same things we’ll see Saturday, but they’re doing a good job.”

Junior guard Fred Zerblis was on the field last year in Boise when the Rams were manhandled by the Broncos’ front seven, and last week when CSU struggled to just 109 rushing yards on 31 carries at Utah State. The offensive struggles were frustrating, he said, but he believes the Rams aren’t that far off from the success they had earlier this season.

“Last year we shied away from our gameplan a little bit, but I think we’ve got a great plan this year for running the ball,” Zerblis said. “We just have to get a hat on a hat, and that gives us a chance to get a 3-yard gain and keep grinding away. But, it’s going to be a really good challenge for us.”

Keegan Pope can be reached at kpope@collegian.com.

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Daily Horoscope Nancy Black

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY

(10/09/15). Your thoughtful plans bear abundant fruit this year. Meditate, contemplate and create. Discipline with communications and publishing pays satisfying dividends.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — 9

— It’s easier to resolve creative misunderstandings now that Mercury is direct. Communications barriers dissolve. Good news comes from far away. The end of a project is near.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — 8 — It’s easier to play the game, with Mercury direct. Logistics fall together. Assume responsibility. Opposites attract. There’s no pleasing everybody, though.

Question authority.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — 7 — Exploration calls. It’s easier to learn, now that Mercury’s direct.

Creative efforts take a leap forward. Friends spur you to action. A previously hidden door presents new options.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — 9 — Communication gets easier. Launch projects now that Mercury’s direct. Use charm and persuasion. Successes come through your own efforts, despite the impulse to run.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — 9 — This could be a lucky break.

Traffic flows with greater ease, with Mercury direct. A brilliant discovery leads to a new plan.

Keep it practical. Avoid distractions and silly arguments.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — 9 — You gain clarity on the job. Wait to hear what’s wanted before trying to provide it. Avoid wasted effort and distractions.

Compromise. Consensus comes easier now that Mercury’s direct.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — 7 — You and a partner can resolve a previously-stuck issue, with Mercury direct. Lines of communication clear. Speak from your heart. Don’t hold back!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — 9 — Be practical. Advance by using old methods and pathways. There’s less confusion at work, with Mercury direct. Push to gain more authority. Work quickly but carefully.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — 8 — A glass ceiling is dissolving. Long-distance connections come together. It’s easier to travel, launch and get your message out, with Mercury direct. Change your tune.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — 9 — It’s easier to advance group projects. Brainstorming is more productive, with Mercury direct. Address an uncomfortable situation head on.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — 8 — New income opportunities open, with Mercury direct.

Go for the big prize. Assume authority. Go ahead and make a purchase. Group membership pays off newly.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — 9 — Work for a vision. A barrier to your objective is dissolving.

Words and traffic flow better, with Mercury direct. Career is highlighted, and a move is possible. Watch for hidden agendas.

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The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Friday, October 9, 2015

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Across 1 Stirs 5 He wrote about “a midnight dreary” 8 Gobble (up) 13 Die, with “out” 14 Blog entry 15 Capital of India 16 Capital __ 17 Colorful fish 18 Took the wrong way?

19 Old Tokyo 20 Haul to the kitchen, as groceries 22 Word before or after dog 23 High-five relative 24 Poison remedy 26 Poison test site 27 Steamy stuff 30 Queen of the Goths in Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus” 32 *Vandalized, in a way 33 Romantic activity 34 Words of wisdom 35 Country on the Strait of Hormuz 36 Ravel classic 39 *Head of the produce section?

43 Old-style warning

44 Rather little 45 Understand 46 Deli staple 49 Like Beethoven’s “Pastoral Symphony” 50 Horse show concern 52 They’re graphically represented three times in this grid ... and the answers to starred clues are the six longest common words than can be spelled using only them 53 2000 World Series venue 54 Yearbook, e.g.

56 Bakery buy 57 Newspaper fig.

58 Little garden party?

59 Mazatlán Mrs. 60 End in __ 61 Facilitated 62 Suffer 63 Squealed Down 1 *Yielded 2 “Is it worth the risk?”

3 Knowledgeable about 4 Word before or after blue 5 Online annoyances

RAMMIES LUKE MEACHAM

BREWSTER ROCKIT TIM RICKARD

6 Oklahoma county in which a 2008 Pulitzer-winning drama is set 7 Work __ 8 Many AARP mems.

9 “Darn it!”

10 Ill-fated 1967 mission 11 Brush up on 12 *Place for oats 14 Member of the force 21 Darwin, for one 25 Fruit named for a Turkish town 28 14-Down’s need, at times 29 Legendary flier 31 “Morning Joe” airer 33 Like Congress 36 *Emotional burden 37 1992 Mamet play 38 Fast-growing U.S. ethnic group 40 Reigning emperor of Japan 41 Regan’s poisoner, in Shakespeare 42 *Wiped out 47 “__ luck!”

48 Asteroids maker 51 Subdue 53 “Buzz off!”

55 Went first Yesterday’s solution

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

15

16 Friday, October 9, 2015 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian

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