California Dreamin’: Rams Take Wins to Golden ST.

If they had stayed away from the west coast, the CSU Rams might be unbeaten for the 2002 season. As it stands, the Rams only two losses of the year have come on their two trip to California, setbacks at UCLA and Fresno State.

The Rams make their third and final trip to the Golden State this week, when they travel to face Mountain West Conference rival San Diego State in a game with MWC title implications. A win by CSU would give them a commanding two game lead with two to play – only a strong finish by New Mexico (which would have to include a win over CSU) could keep the Rams from winning the conference title and going back to the Liberty Bowl.

Colorado State won its fourth game in a row in impressive fashion on Halloween night, defeating Air Force 31-12 at Falcon Stadium in front of a national TV audience. The Rams' defense held Air Force to just 250 total yards - and held them scoreless in the second half. DB Benny Mastropaolo had a career high 14 tackles, LB Eric Pauly had 13, and DB Ben Stratton, making his first career start, had 11 stops. The Rams also forced two turnovers, and kicker Jeff Babcock returned the fumbled second half kickoff 29 yards for a touchdown.

Offensively, RB Cecil Sapp continued his outstanding season, gaining 132 yards and scoring twice, while QB Bradlee Van Pelt ran for 39 yards and threw for 142 yards including four receptions by WR Chris Pittman, and two each by WR Joey Cuppari and H-Back Joel Dreessen.

For the seventh time in Sonny Lubick's 10 seasons at Colorado State - and the 14th time overall in school history - Colorado State has won eight games in a season. Lubick has also guided the program to the only three 10-win campaigns in school history: 1994 (10-2), 1997 (11-2), and 2000 (10-2). CSU could better the school’s all time best record with wins in the final four games (including the Liberty Bowl).

On the injury front, CSU is reporting six injuries of note:
• OC Mark Dreyer, left knee contusion.
• DB Jason Hepp, right knee sprain.
• DB Landon Jones, sprained right big toe.
• CB Rhett Nelson, neck sprain.
• DE Andre Sommersell, right knee, ankle sprain.
• DB Steve Tufte, right shoulder sprain.

CSU-SID contributed to this report.