CSU’s Branch comes back running strong

Steve Carp

Thursday, Sept. 19, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

It's not the best route to success, but taking a year off from football didn't hurt Calvin Branch one bit.

Forced to sit out last season after transferring to Colorado State from Iowa State, the 5-foot-11, 197-pound senior running back from Spring, Texas, has returned to the field with a vengeance.

He's averaging nearly 11 yards a carry and has scored five touchdowns in three games. Branch will present a formidable challenge for UNLV's defense in Saturday's Western Athletic Conference contest at Fort Collins.

"Watching them win the WAC last year motivated me," Branch said of his Rams teammates. "I'm used to playing, not sitting, so I was really anxious to get back on the field."

He spent the spring and summer working out intensely, making sure he was ready to go. That work ethic impressed his teammates so much they made him a team captain, even though he had yet to suit up in a Rams uniform.

"I think that shows you how special a kid Calvin is," said CSU coach Sonny Lubick. "He's a tremendous young man. He handles himself well, on and off the field, and he's very dedicated."

Branch wasn't expecting such an honor.

"That was kinda surprising," he said. "I've only been here one year."

But he has accomplished a lot in a year. He had to catch up academically after many of his Iowa State credits were not accepted. He stayed in shape by running track for Colorado State last spring, turning in a 10.56 clocking in the 100 meters.

And now that he's back on the football field, he's turning up the heat. Not only does Branch have a lofty rushing average and a knack for finding the end zone, he's averaging 33 yards per kickoff return.

That concerns UNLV coach Jeff Horton as much as Branch's rushing ability.

"We've done a good job so far with our kickoff return coverage," he said. "But this kid's really fast. If we don't get to him before he gets going, we could be in big trouble."

Branch, who considers himself a speed back more than a power runner, prefers to run inside where he can find a crease, hit the hole and accelerate through.

"I think a lot of teams try to take away the corner on me," he said. "So I don't mind running inside."

He said the WAC isn't as rugged as the Big 8 (now Big 12) was.

"In the Big 8, everybody was more physical, even the defensive backs," he said. "But otherwise, there isn't much difference between the two."

Branch said his departure from Iowa State had nothing to do with the emergence of Troy Davis as the Cyclones' featured back. Nor was it directly the result of new coach Dan McCarney.

"I just got tired of losing," he said. "It wasn't anything with Troy. And Coach McCarney and I got along fine. It's just when you have a new coach and a new philosophy, you never know how long it's going to take to turn things around.

"I wanted to win before I left and Colorado State was on the right track."

Extra points

* HOLY MOSES: Colorado State QB Moses Moreno is third among WAC quarterbacks in passing efficiency. The junior has thrown for 771 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception. Only Brigham Young's Steve Sarkisian and San Diego State's Billy Blanton are ahead of Moreno. ... While Calvin Branch leads CSU with a 10.6 rushing average, Damon Washington leads the Rams in rushing yards with 349.

* BANGED-UP RAMS: A rash of injuries has forced CSU coach Sonny Lubick to juggle his lineup for Saturday. Freshman OT Blaine Saipaia will likely start as will junior OG Josh Dansereau. DBs Brady Schneider and Myron Terry are nursing sprained knees and are doubtful. Steve Morse and J'Sharlon Jones could take their spots.

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