"Under the direction of Sonny Lubick, Colorado State has established
itself as one of the premier programs in the nation," said Hathaway.
"The 2002 schedule clearly is one that will provide our fans with a
great deal of excitement and enthusiasm, and at the same time, provide
our football program unmatched national exposure."
Colorado State opens the season Aug. 22 against the University of
Virginia in the Jim Thorpe Association Classic. Telecast plans for the
game, to be played in Charlottesville, Va., will be announced.
Colorado State's first game within the state's borders takes place
Saturday, Aug. 31, when the Rams play Colorado at INVESCO Field at Mile
High in Denver. Following a trip to UCLA, the Rams play the first of
five home games, facing defending Conference USA champion Louisville at
Hughes Stadium Sept. 14 in a night game that will be televised live
nationally by ESPN2.
Colorado State has become one of ESPN's favorite attractions for night
prime time telecasts. The Rams have appeared on more Thursday night
games than any other team in the nation, including three times last year
- twice on ESPN and once on ESPN2.
Colorado State will be featured again in 2002, with five games
currently scheduled for ESPN or ESPN2 coverage, including the in-state
battle with Colorado Aug. 31 in Denver. The Rams will also make a
Friday night appearance on ESPN, when the Rams play on the road at
Fresno State Oct. 4.
The Rams play host to BYU on Oct. 24 in a Thursday night prime-time
game, and a week later, play another Thursday night game, Oct. 31 at Air
Force. Both of those games will be televised by either ESPN or ESPN2.
The schedule is the first 13-game regular-season campaign in school
history. The 2002 season includes five teams - Colorado, BYU, Fresno
State, Louisville, and Utah - that played in bowl games a year ago.
Four of the teams on the slate - CU (11-2), BYU (12-2), Louisville
(11-2), Fresno State (11-2) finished the year ranked among the top 25
and had a combined 43-10 record. Three of those teams, including CU,
BYU, and Louisville, won their respective conference titles last season.
Eight of the 13 teams on the 2002 schedule had records was .500 or
better in 2001 . The teams combined for an 84-60 (.583) cumulative
record.
Colorado State finished with a 7-5 record a year ago and won the
first-ever New Orleans Bowl, the third consecutive year the Rams have
played in a bowl game - a school record. Under Lubick's guidance, the
Rams have been to bowl games in six of the past nine years, most by any
Mountain West Conference member institution. Plus, Colorado State ranks
12th nationally in total victories since 1994, and the Rams 77 regional
and national television appearances since that time are the most among
MWC members.
The 2002 schedule includes (all times to be announced unless otherwise
shown):
Aug. 22 Thursday at University of Virginia+ Charlottesville, Va.
Aug. 31 Saturday University of Colorado INVESCO at Mile High ESPN or
ESPN2 TBA
Sept. 7 Saturday at UCLA Los Angeles, Calif.
Sept. 14 Saturday University of Louisville Hughes Stadium ESPN2 8 p.m.
MT
Sept. 21 Saturday Open Date
Sept. 28 Saturday at University of Nevada Reno, Nev.
Oct. 4 Friday at Fresno State Fresno, Calif. ESPN
Oct. 12 Saturday Wyoming* Hughes Stadium
Oct. 19 Saturday at Utah* Salt Lake City, Utah
Oct. 24 Thursday Brigham Young* Hughes Stadium ESPN or ESPN2
Oct. 31 Thursday at Air Force* Colorado Springs, Colo. ESPN or ESPN2
Nov. 9 Saturday Open Date
Nov. 16 Saturday at San Diego State* San Diego, Calif.
Nov. 23 Saturday New Mexico* Hughes Stadium
Nov. 30 Saturday UNLV* Hughes Stadium
+Jim Thorpe Association Classic.
*Mountain West Conference Games.
All
dates and times subject to change without notice.