Colorado State Rams football
Encyclopedia
The Colorado State Rams football program, established in 1893, represents Colorado State University
and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mountain West Conference
(MWC) under head coach Steve Fairchild
. Rams football teams have met with relative success over the years, including winning or sharing the Mountain West title in 1999, 2000 and 2002. Overall, the Rams are a 473–521–33 (.477) (473 wins, 521 losses, and 33 ties), and are 5–7 in bowl game
s.
Home games have been played at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium
, located four miles west of the school's campus in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains
, since 1968. The Rams have long-standing rivalries with Colorado
, Wyoming
, and Air Force
.
(1993–2007). During their history, the Rams have played in five different conferences.
took control over the Rams as head coach in 1993, the Rams have made nine bowl appearances. CSU had only two previous bowl appearances. Lubick won nearly 75% of home games in the stadium that would later bear his name, leading the team to six conference titles and an overall record of 108-74. CSU was consistently a top 25 contender from 1994–2002, with a 79-32 record during that period and 3 top 25 finishes. Lubick, conference coach of the year four times, coached current Denver Broncos
Cecil Sapp
and Erik Pears
, and all-pro NFL linebacker Joey Porter
.
offensive coordinator
Steve Fairchild
to take the helm. Fairchild was a Rams quarterback from 1978–80, and served under Lubick as quarterback's coach and later as offensive coordinator from 1993–2000. The Rams finished the regular season in fourth place in the Mountain West Conference
and accepted a bid to the 2008 New Mexico Bowl on December 20, where they defeated the Fresno State Bulldogs
.
, Sonny Lubick
and Steve Fairchild
, the CSU Rams have gone to a total of eleven bowl games since the 1990 football season.
Under Sonny Lubick, the CSU Rams played in their two of their biggest bowl games to date. The first was the 1997 Holiday Bowl 35–24 victory over the Missouri Tigers
while the second was the 2000 Liberty Bowl 22–17 victory over the Louisville Cardinals
. During both of these winning seasons, the CSU Rams were ranked in the top 25 football teams by both the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll.
In the first season under new head coach Steve Fairchild, the CSU Rams were able to beat the Fresno State
40–25 in the 2008 New Mexico Bowl
. During this game, running back Gartrell Johnson
rushed for over 286 yards and received five passes for 90 yards setting a record for the second most all-purpose yards ever in a single FBS bowl game.
have faced one another in the annual football battle
in Denver at Invesco Field at Mile High
. The rivalry started in 1893 and was played annually until 1958. After being resurrected in 1984, the game moved to Denver in 1998. Since moving to Invesco Field at Mile High, the teams have consistently played before the largest crowds in state history to witness a college sporting event. On August 31, 2009, Colorado State and Colorado signed a 10-year contract extension of the Rocky Mountain Showdown
which will bring the game back to Invesco Field at Mile High
from 2010 to 2019. The game is scheduled to be played at Hughes Stadium in 2020.
- the longest rivalry in each school's history - dates back to 1893. Since 1968, the schools have battled for possession of the Bronze Boot
traveling trophy. The bronzed battle boot was worn in Vietnam by CSU alumnus Dan Romero.
, located in Colorado Springs
. The wood-carved trophy was produced by local artist Bill Wrage. The Air Force ROTC detachment on the CSU campus initiated the creation of the trophy.
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mountain West Conference
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
(MWC) under head coach Steve Fairchild
Steve Fairchild
-Personal life:Fairchild graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 with a degree in economics.-References:...
. Rams football teams have met with relative success over the years, including winning or sharing the Mountain West title in 1999, 2000 and 2002. Overall, the Rams are a 473–521–33 (.477) (473 wins, 521 losses, and 33 ties), and are 5–7 in bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
s.
Home games have been played at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium
Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium
Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is the home field of the Colorado State Rams of the Mountain West Conference....
, located four miles west of the school's campus in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
, since 1968. The Rams have long-standing rivalries with Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
, Wyoming
Wyoming Cowboys football
The Wyoming Cowboys are a college football team that represents the University of Wyoming. They compete in the Mountain West Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I. The team has won 15 conference titles...
, and Air Force
Air Force Falcons football
The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.-Style:...
.
History
Colorado State football goes back 115 seasons, and experienced its most successful run in the 15 seasons under head coach Sonny LubickSonny Lubick
Louis "Sonny" Lubick is a former head football coach at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. In his fourth decade as collegiate football coach, the 2007 season marked Lubick's 15th and final year at the helm of a Colorado State program that he built from virtually the ground up...
(1993–2007). During their history, the Rams have played in five different conferences.
- 1892–1892: Independent
- 1893–1908: Colorado Football Association
- 1909–1937: RMACRocky Mountain Athletic ConferenceThe Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico...
(previously named Colorado Football Association) - 1938–1961: Skyline
- 1962–1967: Independent
- 1968–1998: WACWestern Athletic ConferenceThe Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
- 1999–present: Mountain West ConferenceMountain West ConferenceThe Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
.
Success under Sonny Lubick
Since Sonny LubickSonny Lubick
Louis "Sonny" Lubick is a former head football coach at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. In his fourth decade as collegiate football coach, the 2007 season marked Lubick's 15th and final year at the helm of a Colorado State program that he built from virtually the ground up...
took control over the Rams as head coach in 1993, the Rams have made nine bowl appearances. CSU had only two previous bowl appearances. Lubick won nearly 75% of home games in the stadium that would later bear his name, leading the team to six conference titles and an overall record of 108-74. CSU was consistently a top 25 contender from 1994–2002, with a 79-32 record during that period and 3 top 25 finishes. Lubick, conference coach of the year four times, coached current Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Cecil Sapp
Cecil Sapp
Cecil Sapp is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Colorado State....
and Erik Pears
Erik Pears
Erik Anders Pears is an American football offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
, and all-pro NFL linebacker Joey Porter
Joey Porter
Joseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a...
.
Fairchild Era
On November 27, 2007, following significant drops in attendance and a 17–30 record over the past 4 seasons, including 3–9 in 2007, CSU made the difficult and controversial decision to relieve Lubick of his head coaching duties. The school hired Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Steve Fairchild
Steve Fairchild
-Personal life:Fairchild graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 with a degree in economics.-References:...
to take the helm. Fairchild was a Rams quarterback from 1978–80, and served under Lubick as quarterback's coach and later as offensive coordinator from 1993–2000. The Rams finished the regular season in fourth place in the Mountain West Conference
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
and accepted a bid to the 2008 New Mexico Bowl on December 20, where they defeated the Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
.
Bowl Results
Under the coaching of Earle BruceEarle Bruce
Earle Bruce is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Tampa , Iowa State University , Ohio State University , the University of Northern Iowa , and Colorado State University , compiling a career college football record of 154–90–2...
, Sonny Lubick
Sonny Lubick
Louis "Sonny" Lubick is a former head football coach at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. In his fourth decade as collegiate football coach, the 2007 season marked Lubick's 15th and final year at the helm of a Colorado State program that he built from virtually the ground up...
and Steve Fairchild
Steve Fairchild
-Personal life:Fairchild graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 with a degree in economics.-References:...
, the CSU Rams have gone to a total of eleven bowl games since the 1990 football season.
Under Sonny Lubick, the CSU Rams played in their two of their biggest bowl games to date. The first was the 1997 Holiday Bowl 35–24 victory over the Missouri Tigers
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
while the second was the 2000 Liberty Bowl 22–17 victory over the Louisville Cardinals
Louisville Cardinals football
The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship...
. During both of these winning seasons, the CSU Rams were ranked in the top 25 football teams by both the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll.
In the first season under new head coach Steve Fairchild, the CSU Rams were able to beat the Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs
The Fresno State Bulldogs represent California State University, Fresno in 19 NCAA Division I sports. The teams have been members of the Western Athletic Conference since 1992. Before that, it had been a member of the Big West Conference since 1969...
40–25 in the 2008 New Mexico Bowl
2008 New Mexico Bowl
*1st Quarter**FRES – Lonyae Miller 1 yard run , 11:46. Fresno State 7-0. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:14.**CSU – Grant Stucker 18 yard run , 09:37. Colorado State 7-7. Drive: 4 plays, 84 yards, 2:09....
. During this game, running back Gartrell Johnson
Gartrell Johnson
Gartrell Godfrey Johnson, III is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
rushed for over 286 yards and received five passes for 90 yards setting a record for the second most all-purpose yards ever in a single FBS bowl game.
Rocky Mountain Showdown
Eight times since 1998, Colorado State and in-state rival ColoradoColorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
have faced one another in the annual football battle
Rocky Mountain Showdown
The Rocky Mountain Showdown is an an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Colorado Buffaloes football team of the University of Colorado and the Colorado State Rams football team of Colorado State University. The winner of the game receives the Centennial Cup. The series...
in Denver at Invesco Field at Mile High
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High, is a multi-purpose stadium, in Denver, Colorado. It replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium in 2001...
. The rivalry started in 1893 and was played annually until 1958. After being resurrected in 1984, the game moved to Denver in 1998. Since moving to Invesco Field at Mile High, the teams have consistently played before the largest crowds in state history to witness a college sporting event. On August 31, 2009, Colorado State and Colorado signed a 10-year contract extension of the Rocky Mountain Showdown
Rocky Mountain Showdown
The Rocky Mountain Showdown is an an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Colorado Buffaloes football team of the University of Colorado and the Colorado State Rams football team of Colorado State University. The winner of the game receives the Centennial Cup. The series...
which will bring the game back to Invesco Field at Mile High
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High, is a multi-purpose stadium, in Denver, Colorado. It replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium in 2001...
from 2010 to 2019. The game is scheduled to be played at Hughes Stadium in 2020.
Border War
The Border War featuring CSU and WyomingUniversity of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is a land-grant university located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains, at an elevation of 7,200 feet , between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains. It is known as UW to people close to the university...
- the longest rivalry in each school's history - dates back to 1893. Since 1968, the schools have battled for possession of the Bronze Boot
Bronze Boot
The Bronze Boot is awarded to each season's winner of the College football game between the Colorado State University Rams and the University of Wyoming Cowboys. The annual Wyoming–Colorado State football game has evolved into one of the most bitterly contested rivalries in college football...
traveling trophy. The bronzed battle boot was worn in Vietnam by CSU alumnus Dan Romero.
Ram-Falcon Trophy
The Ram-Falcon Trophy originated in 1980 to highlight the series between CSU and the U.S. Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
, located in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
. The wood-carved trophy was produced by local artist Bill Wrage. The Air Force ROTC detachment on the CSU campus initiated the creation of the trophy.