Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Colorado State still has something to prove

DENVER AP) - Colorado State wrapped up the Mountain West Conference title last week with a victory over New Mexico, securing a spot in the Liberty Bowl in the process.

That must mean the 16th-ranked Rams have nothing to play for Saturday against Nevada-Las Vegas, right?

Fat chance.

Not only are the Rams looking to keep some momentum headed into the postseason, they also have a chance to tie a school record for victories, become the second Mountain West team to finish undefeated in the conference and move up in the rankings.

"We still have a lot to play for," Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick said. "You're sitting up there with a ranking and every win you might move up a couple of notches. I don't suspect that we would let down."

Colorado State (10-2, 6-0 MWC) earned the conference title last week with a 22-14 victory over New Mexico, the Rams' 15th conference. The victory puts the Rams in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. on Dec. 31, against an opponent that will be determined.

A victory over UNLV would be Colorado State's 11th of the season, tying the school record set in 1987.

UNLV would appear to be an easy target for the Rams, who have their last six games by an average of 16 points and have won six in a row over the Rebels.

But the Rams could have at least one less weapon if running back Cecil Sapp isn't able to play.

Sapp, who is 81 yards short of Steve Bartalo's 1986 team record of 1,419 yards in a season, has been bothered for two weeks by turf-toe.

Sapp didn't start against New Mexico and managed just 36 yards on 14 carries. Lubick said he expects Sapp to play, but the decision will be up to him.

"If he'd like to play, it's up to him," Lubick said. "We feel that we've got some other pretty good running backs there, but of course he'd like to finish out the season and have a chance to maybe break a record.

"That's not the most important thing, but just to go out and let him play his last game with all his teammates."

The Rams will face a UNLV team that is again struggling.

The Rebels (4-7, 2 (4)- have lost two straight games and haven't beaten Colorado State since 1982. UNLV is also looking for just its fourth five-win season in the last 15 years and will be facing its highest-ranked opponent since No. 2 Tennessee to start the 1996 season.

But coach John Robinson believes all the negatives could lead to a positive.

"I think you almost get to the point where there's a relaxation," Robinson said. "I think there's a good mood for this week. Now can a team that has not met it's goals get it up? We're going to find out. But I think we've been a team that has tried and has just kind of shot itself in the foot all year."

Another difficult season has left Robinson contemplating his future, but the 67-year-old coach says he's not ready to quit.

"I think when you're over 40, which I am, slightly, you must look at yourself kind of in a year-to-year basis," Robinson said. "There's no question when you say, 'hey, I'm not doing it,' and I think you have to evaluate that. But those are private evaluations that one makes, then you go on. We will, obviously, return next year and have a better team."

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