The Rams’ last four games include Border War – Greeley Tribune

This is the third installment in a three-part series detailing Colorado State’s opponents in 2022. This third part focuses on the Rams’ last four conference opponents.

The final third — or final four — games of the 2022 CSU football schedule includes four games against division rivals.

It starts with a long road trip, followed by a much-anticipated rivalry game, a quick trip south, and then a home game to end the season.

The first three of those contests are against teams the Rams lost to last season. The season finale is beaten against one of the two CSU Bergwest teams a year ago.

November 5 in San Jose State, TBA in San Jose, California.

The second half of the Mountain West game for the Rams begins with an away game at San Jose State.

Last season, the Spartans went 5-7 overall and 3-5 into the Mountain West, including a 32-14 win over the Rams. San Jose State was selected for third place in the West Division in this year’s preseason conference poll.

The Spartans are led on defense this season by lineman Cade Hall, who was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year on the Mountain West preseason All-Conference team.

Hall was the 2020 Conference Defensive Player of the Year after recording 10 sacks in seven games for the Spartans. Last season he had 40 tackles, four sacks and two fumble recoveries.

San Jose State had two other preseason All-Conference selections, defenseman Viliami Fehoko and linebacker Kyle Harmon.

Fehoka had 36 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three forced fumbles last season. Harmon had 133 tackles, six tackles for loss and a sack.

The Spartans are led offensively by quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, who traded from Hawaii for 2,793 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Rainbow Warriors last season.

San Jose State’s leading returning rusher is quarterback Nick Nash, who rushed for 385 yards and a touchdown. Nash started six games behind center last season.

Colorado State is 6-5 all time against San Jose State. The Rams’ last win over the Spartans came in 2018.

Nov. 12, vs. Wyoming, 5 p.m. at Canvas Stadium

CSU’s biggest rivalry game, The Border War, will be the Rams’ penultimate home game when they host the Cowboys.

Wyoming came off a 7-6 season a year ago where they were 2-6 in the Mountain West game. One of those two conference wins was a 31-17 win over the CSU. The Cowboys ended their season with a 52-38 win over Kent State in the famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

The Cowboys were picked to finish fifth in the conference’s Mountain Division this season, one spot behind the Rams.

Titus Swen returns at running back for Wyoming. He was the team’s second-best rusher last season after rushing for 809 yards and seven touchdowns.

Wide receiver Joshua Cobbs had 25 receptions for 245 yards. Tight end Treyton Welch had 19 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while fullback/tight end Parker Christensen caught 13 passes for 127 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Easton Gibbs is making a return after finishing second on the team with 90 tackles last season. Nose tackle Cole Godbout had 70 tackles and five sacks.

Kick returner Cam Stone averaged 40 yards per return last season and had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Utah State.

This is the 113th meeting between the two teams since 1899. The CSU leads in the all-time series with 58:49:5. Before losing to the Cowboys last year, the Rams won in the 2020 season shortened by COVID-19.

Nov. 19, Air Force, TBA at USAFA Falcon Stadium

The Rams’ final road game of the season will take them south to face the Falcons.

Air Force went 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the Mountain Division, making them the division co-champs. The Falcons ended their season with a 31-28 win over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas.

After that successful season, the Falcons were selected second in the Mountain Division behind Boise State.

Returning offensively for the Air Force is fullback Brad Roberts, the conference’s top returnee. Roberts rushed for 1,352 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago.

Quarterback Haaziq Daniels also returns after finishing second on the team in the rushing with 731 yards while passing for 1,184 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named MVP in the Air Force’s 31-28 First Responder Bowl win over Louisville, rushing for 252 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Vince Sanford returns to lead the defense after totaling 59 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

All three were named to the Mountain West preseason All-Conference team.

Offensive lineman Everett Smalley was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List after helping the Air Force offensive line a national-leading 327.7 rushing yards per game.

The Falcons lead the all-time streak between schools dating back to 1957, 37-21-1. Air Force has won the last five matches between the teams. The CSU’s last win in this series came in 2013.

November 25, vs. New Mexico, 1:30 p.m. at Canvas Stadium

The CSU’s last game of the season is a home game against the Lobos.

New Mexico went 3-9 overall and 1-7 at Mountain West. The Rams defeated the Lobos 36-7 for their second of two conference wins last season.

Conference poll voters don’t have much confidence in New Mexico, having voted the Lobos for last spot in the Mountain Division.

Leading the returning Lobos this season is receiver/kick returner Luke Wysong, who was recently added to the Paul Hornung Awards Watchlist.

Wysong led the Lobos in 24 catches for 224 yards last season. He averaged 11 yards per punt return, including a 63-yard touchdown against CSU. He averaged 20.3 yards per kickoff return.

Safety Jerrick Reed returns to lead defense after leading the team with 89 tackles last season. He also had seven pass break-ups and one interception.

Defensive end Jake Saltonstall had 36 tackles and two and a half sacks last season. Linebacker Ray Leutele had 36 tackles and four sacks and safety Tavian Combs had 81 tackles and two interceptions.

Punter Aaron Rodriguez had a national-leading 81 punts, averaging 42.8 yards and a 61 long.

The Rams lead the all-time streak dating back to 1935, 43-25. The CSU has won the last 10 matches between the teams.