Colorado State struggling to bust through plateau

FORT COLLINS • A confusing season continues for Colorado State.

Six weeks ago, the Rams were unbeaten with wins over Nevada, Weber State and Colorado. They were coming off a winning season and a bowl victory, and momentum was going strong.

Then, Colorado State bumbled its way to six straight losses, including Saturday’s 34-16 defeat to Air Force.

In the past two games, the Rams have surrendered 76 points, 50 first downs and 913 yards of total offense.

Coach Steve Fairchild refuses to yield to despair.

“I’m not frustrated,” he said. “This is a process and I knew that when I took this job. … We’ve hit a plateau here, but we’ll pass through this.”

Fairchild returned to his alma mater last season to take over for longtime coach Sonny Lubick.

He was asked to define his team’s plateau.

“Call it what you want,” Fairchild said. “We’re going to get better.”

It’s been a tough tumble for Fairchild. When the Rams defeated Colorado on Sept. 6, it seemed a massive win for the program.

But the importance of that win diminishes every week. The Rams keep losing, and so do the Buffaloes.

His team has lost its past three games by a total of 70 points, but Fairchild will keep pushing for more.

“Our attitude is good,” he said. “We’ll practice hard. I’m quite confident of that. And sooner or later, we’ll bust our way out of this.”