SEC Attitude Fuels Colorado State in Win Over Colorado
By Joe Morrone
Aug 29, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Dee Hart (10) scores a rushing touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado State Rams won the Rocky Mountain Showdown over the Colorado Buffaloes. While that win is certainly a big one for Head Coach Jim McElwain and his program, it’s only another step towards something bigger.
For the first time, maybe ever, the Rams are about more than just trying to beat big brother. McElwain has the players, the school, the alumni and the community believing that the Rams can return to the glory days of Sonny Lubick.
The Rams did not beat the Buffaloes on a last second field goal or a fluke play at the end of the game, they dominated them in the second half. If not for a fumble early in the second half that briefly gave the Buffaloes some momentum, it would have been even worse than 31-17.
Newcomer from Alabama, Dee Hart brought an SEC (Southeastern Conference) attitude to the Rams and everyone on the offense followed his lead. Hart ran hard all night and ended up with 139 yards and two touchdowns. More important than the numbers though, was his physical play. It set the tone for the Rams who struggled to get in the game early.
Fellow running back Treyous Jarrells also rushed for 100+ yards and added a touchdown of his own. With due respect to Hart and Jarrells, who were great, the star of the night was the Rams offensive line. They were supposed to be the weakness, they were young and they dominated the football game.
By the middle of the third quarter, the Buffaloes were done on defense. The offensive line for the Rams had taken over the game and they would not be stopped again.
The defense followed the physical lead of the offense and once the Rams grabbed a 21-17 lead, the Buffaloes were never going to score again.
In past seasons, the win over the Buffaloes would have been the highlight of the year and it is big but this team has bigger goals ahead. It started last season with the winning streak to get into a bowl game and concluded with the come from behind win in the New Mexico Bowl over Washington State.
This is not your typical Mountain West team, the Rams will lineup and hit you in the mouth. Quite frankly, quarterback Garrett Grayson stunk on Friday night and it didn’t matter. The Rams just took what they wanted from the Buffs and they did with an attitude.
The Rams will begin conference play next week with a trip to Boise State and they take a game with them that travels. Boise State will provide another test for the Rams but unlike years past, this team is prepared to win.
The attitude started to change when McElwain took the job at CSU, it changed a little more with the success last season and it changed a little more with their victory over Colorado. McElwain and Hart came from Alabama and they brought the attitude with them.
The teams in the Mountain West may want to buckle up because the Rams are back and they will hit you in the mouth!