Rams rule Boulder

BOULDER • The high hopes for Dan Hawkins’ fourth season as Colorado coach were stomped by every Colorado State fan who stormed Folsom Field on Sunday night.

One game might not ruin the Buffaloes’ season, but there will be a permanent stain. And the Rams already have a highlight in a season that coach Steve Fairchild admits is part of a rebuilding process.

Colorado State controlled the line of scrimmage and rarely seemed out of control in a 23-17 win. The only times the outcome seemed in doubt were during a brief Colorado rally in the third quarter and again when the Buffaloes lined up for an onside kick after a touchdown with just less than 2 minutes to go. The Rams recovered that kick, and a few minutes later their fans were streaming onto the field.

“That was a special feeling to have our students there, especially when nobody gave us a chance to win this game,” safety Klint Kubiak said.

Colorado was oddly calm after its in-state rival won in Boulder for the first time since 1986. The Buffaloes spoke about missing a few plays and how small mistakes cost them.

Coach Dan Hawkins spoke optimistically about how well his team played in the second half. He talked about having to get ready for a game against Toledo on Friday night and only briefly indicated that some issues might have been exposed.

Hawkins said he never thought about pulling his son, quarterback Cody Hawkins, although fans were booing him during an uneven performance in the first half. Cody Hawkins wasn’t completely at fault, considering he was under consistent pressure from the Rams’ front seven.

Colorado State took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, led 20-3 at halftime, and then took away the Buffaloes’ momentum with a defensive play in the third quarter. Trailing 20-10, Colorado receiver Scotty McKnight caught a pass inside the Rams’ 20-yard line, but a breathtaking hit by safety Elijah-Blu Smith separated McKnight from the ball and Colorado State recovered.

The best sign for Colorado State — and perhaps the most disturbing part of the night for Colorado — was that the Rams came in with a simple plan and just outplayed their rivals.

“It’s on us,” linebacker Jeff Smart said. “We didn’t come out with the intensity we needed to. They wanted to line up and play smash-mouth football, and that’s what they did.”

Mountain West breaks even

Highlighted by BYU’s win against Oklahoma, MWC teams went 2-2 against BCS conference teams over the weekend.

No. 20 BYU 14, No. 3 Oklahoma (Big 12) 13 
Colorado State 23, Colorado (Big 12) 17
Texas A&M (Big 12) 41, New Mexico 6
UCLA (Pac 10) 33, San Diego State 14

Next week: Air Force at Minnesota (Big Ten), No. 2 Texas (Big 12) at Wyoming, Oregon State (Pac 10) at UNLV, No. 17 TCU at Virginia (ACC)