Rams Keep It Going With Big Comeback
The Colorado State-Michigan State game was billed as a matchup of 1,000-yard running backs, but one the featured players had a different view about what decided the game.
“Our offensive line dominated today,” said Kevin McDougal, who scored the go-ahead touchdown in fifteenth-ranked Colorado State’s season-opening 23-16 victory over No. 23 Michigan State in the Black Coaches Assn. Classic on Saturday. “When they have good games, we have good games.”
McDougal, who ran for 1,111 yards last season, completed a Colorado State comeback from a 16-0 deficit with a burst off tackle for a 32-yard touchdown with 11:29 left in the fourth quarter.
Colorado State, which won a school-record 11 games last season, increased its winning streak to 10 games. Michigan State, 7-5 last season, has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked opponents and is 7-34 in such games since 1988.
Colorado State had 151 yards rushing to 133 for Michigan State.
Sedrick Irvin, a 1,000-yard rusher for Michigan State last season, had 120 yards and a touchdown in 30 carries.
Damon Washington, seeking to become the first Colorado State player to rush for 1,000 yards three consecutive seasons, had 66 yards and a touchdown in 19 carries. McDougal had 82 yards in 12 carries.
Ryan Eslinger, making his first start at quarterback for Colorado State, was three-of-three for 44 yards in the go-ahead drive. Eslinger, a senior who had attempted only 27 passes before this season, was 13-of-26 for 205 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
“The second half, it was just a matter of making everything go,” Eslinger said. “They didn’t throw anything at us that we didn’t see on film.”
Bill Burke, making his first start at quarterback for Michigan State, was 11-of-21 for 73 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Freshman Ryan Van Dyke was at quarterback for the Spartans’ final series.
Colorado State, which led the nation in turnover margin last season at plus-27, forced two fumbles in the fourth quarter to protect its lead.