Colorado State Rams football

Colorado State football team of 1893

Colorado State football dates back to 1893,[7] when it was known as Colorado Agricultural University.[8] Its first football coach was W. J. Forbes, who led the team in 1899 to a 1–2–1 record.[9] He was succeeded by George Toomey in 1900, who led the Rams to a record of 1–3.

George Toomey served as one of CSU's earliest football coaches

Harry W. Hughes accepted the position of athletic director and head football coach at Colorado Agricultural University in 1911 and turned a winless team in 1911 into conference champions and an undefeated record in 1915.[10] Hughes also helped build Colorado Field, the first sodded football field in Colorado history, replacing Durkee Field (1899–1911). Colorado Field was the home of the Colorado Aggies and Colorado State Rams from 1912 to 1967.

Harry Hughes won eight conference championships in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 1915, 1916, 1919, 1920, 1925, 1927, 1933, and 1934.[11] He was a member of the NCAA National Rules Committee beginning in 1926 until his retirement. Hughes coached the Aggies from 1911 to 1941 in football and remained as the Athletic Director until his retirement in 1953. In the early 1930s Hughes was given the nickname "Dean of American Football Coaches" by sportswriters and fellow coaches for his many seasons at one school. He was famously known as one of the most fair and sportsmanlike football coaches in America. He coached football from 1911 to 1941 and after resigning as football coach in 1946, he remained as the school's Athletic Director until 1953.[10] Upon his retirement he was inducted into the Helms Football Hall of Fame on Harry Hughes Day, November 8, 1952.

Known as a tough but fair coach, Hughes was a strict disciplinarian who developed a play in 1914 known as the Million Dollar Play.[12] This triple pass was an end around play based on the single wing formation and helped Hughes lead his teams to national fame. Some of Hughes' greatest players were Ralph "Sag" Robinson (All-American Honorable Mention 1916), Kenneth Hyde (1925 All-American 3rd team) and Glenn Morris (1936 US Olympic Decathlon Gold Medal winner).[12] Hughes broke the color barrier in modern Colorado football in 1939 when he played John Mosley between 1939 and 1942.[12]

When Colorado State University built their new football stadium in 1968, it was named Hughes Stadium in his honor.[10] Hughes' final record at CSU was 126–92–18.[13]

Bob Davis succeeded the legendary Hughes on January 6, 1947.[14]

Davis utilized the "T" formation and veterans returning from World War II to turn around a 2–7 Aggies team in 1946 to an 8–2 team in 1948;[15] placing second in the Skyline Conference. Colorado A & M (as the school was then called) was invited to and played in the January 1, 1949 Raisin Bowl in Fresno, California against Occidental College. Only losing 21-20 in the last minutes of the game, Davis' 1949 team went on to a 9–1 record and placed second again.[16] Bob Davis was a revolutionary coach utilizing classroom football along with practice and game films to help his players excel. Davis also played black athletes at a predominantly white school such as Eddie Hanna, George Jones and Alex Burl.

Several of Bob Davis' players went on to careers in the National Football League including Dale Dodrill, Thurman "Fum" McGraw, Jim David, Don Burroughs, Jack Christiansen, Alex Burl and Gary Glick. Three of his players were All-Americans; Thurman "Fum" McGraw (first team 1948, 1949), Harvey Achziger (first team 1952) and Gary Glick (second team 1955). Davis' 1955 team won the Skyline Conference championship but following the season he resigned from coaching football to concentrate on his duties as athletic director. Davis' record with the Rams when he left was 54-33-2.[17]

A player for Colorado A & M under Harry Hughes, Don Mullison was promoted from line coach to head coach when Bob Davis retired.[18] However, the Rams freefell to a record of 19–40–1 in Mullison's six seasons,[19] which included a winless 0–10 campaign in 1961.[20] Mullison was not retained as head coach past the 1961 season.[18]

The Mullison era would begin with a 2–7–1 mark in 1956, which included wins over Montana and New Mexico.[21] In 1957, Mullison would lead the Rams to a 3–7 record, with wins over Denver, Montana and Air Force.[22] The 1958 and 1959 seasons would see the Rams finish with a 6–4 record, the only two winning seasons of Mullison's tenure.[23][24] In 1960, Mullison would lead the Rams to a 2–8 record, with wins over BYU and Drake.[25] In 1961, the Rams would finish a winless 0–10.[20]

Delaware line coach Mike Lude was selected as Mullison's replacement,[26] and under his tutelage, Colorado State, as they had switched from Colorado A & M, compiled a record of 29–51–1.[27] In 1962, the Rams duplicated the previous year's mark of 0–10,.[28] In 1963, Lude led the Rams to a 3–7 record with wins over Pacific, UTEP and Montana.[29] In 1964, the Rams posted their best record under Lude to that point, a 5–6 mark.[30] In 1965, CSU finished 4–6.[31] It was in 1966 that the best season of the Lude era would come for the Rams, with a record of 7–3 with wins over South Dakota State, Utah State, Air Force, No. 10 Wyoming, New Mexico, West Texas A&M and Iowa State.[32] In 1967, the Rams slipped to 4–5–1 with wins over Utah State, Pacific, Emporia State and Wichita State.[33] In 1968, the Rams would join the Western Athletic Conference[34] and finish the season at 2–8.[35] The inability for Lude to turn around the Rams led to his firing in 1969, a 4–6 campaign,[36] after eight seasons.[26]

The Rams continued to struggle under Lude's successor, Jerry Wampfler, who had arrived in Fort Collins as a prized line coach at Notre Dame under legendary head coach Ara Parseghian.[37] The Rams continued in their misery, compiling a record of 8–25[38] before Wampfler resigned following the 1972 campaign.[39]

In 1970, the Rams finished 4–7.[40] The team began the season with a victory over New Mexico State,[41] but then the team lost six straight; beginning with No. 20 Arizona State,[41] then Iowa State,[41] followed by No. 10 Air Force,[41] Wyoming,[41] UTEP and West Virginia.[41] In Wampfler's second season, Colorado State went 3–8.[42] The Rams lost their first eight games of the season, beginning in the season opener to BYU,[41] then Idaho[41] followed by Wyoming,[41] No. 12 Arizona State,[41] Utah,[41] No. 20 Air Force,[41] Utah State[41] and Wichita State.[41] The Rams would finish the season on a three-game winning streak, defeating West Texas A&M,[41] UTEP and New Mexico State.[41] In 1972, Wampfler's Rams would finish a dismal 1–10.[43] CSU would lose its first nine games of the season (three of the first four without scoring a single point);[41] beginning with Arizona[41] then to Iowa State[41] then West Texas A&M[41] followed by Utah State,[41] No. 19 Air Force,[41] Wyoming,[41] Florida State,[41] BYU[41] and Houston.[41] Colorado State would finally win its first game of the season in its next-to-last contest, against UTEP before dropping its last game of the season to Utah.[41]

Colorado State improved its performance under head coach Sark Arslanian, who came to Fort Collins from his post as head coach at Weber State.[44] Despite a few down years, Arslanian's record at CSU was 45–47–4.[45]

Arslanian led the Rams to a 5–6 record in his first season.[46] After losing to Arizona to kick off the season,[41] the Rams defeated BYU and New Mexico State.[41] State then lost to No. 13 Arizona State[41] then defeated Idaho.[41] After losses to Utah State and Wyoming, Colorado State rang up 76 points in a dominant win against UTEP[47] then defeated Toledo.[41] Arslanian's Rams would close the season with losses to No. 15 Houston and New Mexico.[41] In 1974, the Rams finished 4–6–1.[48] CSU began the season with a loss to New Mexico[41] then defeated Florida State[41] before losing to Memphis,[41] tying BYU[41] and losing to Utah State.[41] After crushing Nevada,[41] the Rams lost to Arkansas,[41] beat Wyoming,[41] lost to Arizona[41] beat UTEP[41] and lost to Arizona State.[41]

In Arslanian's third season, the Rams finished 6–5.[49] The Rams kicked off the season against No. 12 Texas, losing the contest.[41] CSU would then reel off four straight wins, defeating BYU,[41] New Mexico,[41] Wyoming and Oregon State.[41] The Rams would lose to No. 11 Arizona State[41] before defeating Air Force[41] losing to Tennessee,[50] beating UTEP[41] and losing to No. 12 Arizona and Utah State.[41] In 1976, the Rams would again finish 6–5.[51] That year, CSU began the season with losses to Oregon and BYU before defeating Wichita State.[41] After a loss to New Mexico,[41] the Rams won five straight, defeating Utah State,[41] Air Force,[41] UTEP, Wyoming[41] and Idaho.[41] Losses to Arizona and Arizona State would cap the season.[41]

The highlight of the Arslanian era came in 1977, when the Rams beat all odds and compiled a 9-2-1 record,[52] their first such season in years.[53] Despite the success, the Rams didn't get a bowl invite that season. In 1978, the Rams slipped to 5–6.[54] That year, CSU lost three straight to start the year, Utah State, BYU and Utah.[41] Back-to-back wins over UTEP and Air Force followed before CSU lost three straight; UNLV,[41] Wyoming[41] and San Diego State.[41] Arslanian would lead the Rams to three straight wins to close the season; over New Mexico,[41] West Virginia[41] and Pacific.[41]

In 1979, CSU went 4–7–1.[55] The team's wins that season were over Wyoming, UTEP, San Diego State and Air Force.[41] In 1980, Arslanian led the Rams to a 6–4–1 record for his fourth winning season at CSU.[56] That season, CSU defeated Air Force, Arizona, New Mexico, San Diego State, Wyoming and UTEP.[41] A poor start to the 1981 season cost Arslanian his job. He was fired after the Rams fell to 0–6 to start the season.[57]

Texas defensive coordinator Leon Fuller, a Bear Bryant and Fred Akers disciple, took over the Rams football program in 1982.[58] However, Fuller also struggled to find success. He went 25–55 through seven seasons and resigned under pressure after the Rams finished the 1988 season at 1–10.[59]

In Fuller's first season, the Rams finished 4–7.[60] That year, CSU would defeat Wyoming,[41] New Mexico State,[41] Air Force[41] and UTEP.[41] In 1983, Fuller led the Rams to a 5–7 record.[61] Wins that year included Utah, San Diego State, UTEP, New Mexico and Northern Colorado.[41] Fuller's third season saw the Rams finish 3–8.[62] Colorado State would defeat Hawaii,[41] New Mexico and UTEP.[41] 1985 would bring a 5–7 record with wins over UTEP, New Mexico, Wyoming, Southern Miss and Utah.[41] Losses included Colorado, No. 9 LSU,[63] San Diego State, No. 15 BYU, No. 10 Air Force, Hawaii and No. 4 Miami.[64][41] In 1986, the Rams finished 6–5, its best season under Fuller.[65] CSU would defeat in-state archrival Colorado in the season opener[41] as well as Northern Colorado, BYU, Hawaii, Wyoming and New Mexico Lobos football.[41] The Rams would slip to 1–11 in 1987,[66] with the lone win coming against New Mexico.[41] The 1988 campaign would also result in one win, coming against San Diego State.[41]

CSU next turned to a veteran head coach, hiring former Iowa State and Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce as Fuller's replacement in 1989.[67] The move was praised by many across the country, who saw CSU as getting a seasoned, proven head coach who could restore success to CSU.

The Bruce era began in 1989, which resulted with the Rams compiling a 5–5–1 record.[68] After losing the season opener to Tennessee[69] and the second game to No. 9 Colorado, the Rams would defeat Cal State Fullerton then tie Eastern Michigan.[41] After losing to No. 24 Air Force, CSU defeated New Mexico then lost to No. 25 BYU.[41] The Rams then defeated Hawaii and Utah the next to week.[41] A loss to Wyoming and a shutout win over UTEP would conclude the season.[41] In his second season, Bruce led the Rams to a 9–4 record and a victory over Oregon in the Freedom Bowl,[70] their first bowl appearance since 1948 and their first bowl victory ever. In his third season at Fort Collins, Bruce coached the Rams to a 3–8 record,[71] which included wins over Arkansas State, Hawaii and UTEP.[41] In 1992, Bruce led the Rams to a 17-14 victory over LSU in Baton Rouge.[72] Colorado State would finish the 1992 season with a 5–7 record.[73]

Bruce was fired after the 1992 season for, among other things, verbally and physically abusing his players and discouraging players from taking classes that conflicted with football practice.[74]

Sonny Lubick served as coach during 15 years

Sonny Lubick, who had previously served as defensive coordinator at Miami under head coach Dennis Erickson, took over the Rams as head coach in 1993.[75] CSU had only two previous bowl appearances in their school's history before Lubick's arrival.[76] Faced with a culture of losing, Lubick assembled a staff of assistants that included eventual Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, and began aggressively recruiting and attempting to change CSU's image.[76] He was already familiar with CSU, having served as offensive coordinator under Fuller from 1982 to 1984.

Considering the dreadful state of the program he'd inherited, Lubick made the Rams respectable fairly quickly. In his first season, the Rams overcame a 1-4 start to finish the season 5–6.[77] While it was clear that Lubick had the Rams going in the right direction, he took the Rams to heights the program had never previously seen in 1994.[53] Led by a defense that featured future NFL players Sean Moran and Brady Smith,[78][79] They rolled to a then school-best 7-0 start, including a shocking 21-16 upset over No. 4 Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, the biggest upset in school history at the time.[80] Late in the second half, Garrett Sand forced a fumble that Moran recovered and ran back 79 yards for a touchdown, a feat known among Ram fans as simply "The Play."[53][81]

The streak ended with a 45-31 shootout loss to undefeated Utah before a then-record crowd of 39,107 at Hughes Stadium.[82] The Rams recovered to win their final three games, including a dramatic 44–42 comeback win at Fresno State that sealed CSU's first ever outright WAC championship[83] and first-ever trip to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Although the Rams lost 24-14 to Michigan,[84] they still finished with a 10–2 record,[85] setting a new school record for victories in a single season.[86] The 10–2 campaign was the start of 10 straight winning seasons under Lubick, and also earned him National Coach of the Year honors from Sports Illustrated.[86]

Lubick's Rams followed up their breakout campaign in 1994 with a strong 1995 season. With Smith earning WAC defensive player of the year honors,[87] and safety Greg Myers earning All American honors for a second straight year,[88] CSU finished the 1995 season with an 8–4 mark and a share of the WAC title.[89] The Rams were once again invited to the Holiday Bowl, but this time they were downed by the Kansas State Wildcats by a score of 51–24.[90] In 1996, the Rams posted another winning season, finishing 7–5 and tied for second place in the WAC.[91] However, a lack of quality wins, and losses to Colorado,[41] Oregon,[92] Nebraska,[93] and Wyoming[94] kept the Rams out of a bowl game.

The Rams sputtered again to start 1997, losing 31–21 to archrival Colorado after leading at halftime[95] and falling to Air Force 24-0 a week later.[95] However, the Rams would not lose again that season. Led by quarterback Moses Moreno,[96] the WAC Offensive Player of the Year,[97] running back Kevin McDougal,[98] and future Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers Joey Porter and Clark Haggans,[99][100] the Rams were only seriously threatened once for the rest of the season, a 14–7 victory at Wyoming on October 18.[101] After defeating New Mexico in the WAC Championship game,[102] the Rams once again went to the Holiday Bowl, this time facing the Missouri Tigers.[103] Down three at halftime, CSU scored 21 second half points to defeat the Tigers 35–24,[103] netting Lubick his first ever bowl victory,[103] extending a school record nine-game winning streak (the streak would be end at ten in 1998), and finishing what is still the greatest season in school history at 11–2.[104]

In 1998, Lubick's Rams were left out of the postseason despite finishing 8–4 and third in the WAC.[105]

Prior to the 1999 season, Colorado State and seven other WAC schools, upset over conference expansion that threatened to balloon travel costs and break up longstanding regional rivalries, broke away from the conference and formed a new league, the Mountain West Conference.[106] But 1999 would be memorable for Ram fans for another reason. Historically, the Rams had never been able to get the better of Colorado. Even with his success in rebuilding the program, Lubick had gone 0–3 in his first three games against Colorado. On September 4 the game, dubbed the Rocky Mountain Showdown, was played at a neutral site, Mile High Stadium in Denver for the second straight year, and the Rams were once again considered underdogs against the ranked Buffaloes. However, behind 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns from McDougal, the Rams blew out the Buffaloes 41–14, marking the first time in 13 years that CSU had beaten their in-state rivals.[107] The victory was seen by many as the final step in CSU's ascension to legitimacy. Victories over Wyoming and Air Force also completed the "Front Range" sweep, and the Rams finished 8–4 again,[108] this time tying for the Mountain West title. CSU was invited to the Liberty Bowl, but lost to Southern Miss 23–17.[109] After the season, Lubick received a contract extension from CSU.[110]

In 2000, Lubick's Rams, led primarily by Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year Matt Newton,[111] defeated Colorado for the second straight season by a score of 28–24.[112] The victory was the catalyst for a 10–2 season[113] that included an outright Mountain West title and a 22–17 Liberty Bowl victory over Louisville.[114] With the graduation of several key seniors, and the preseason loss of starting running back Cecil Sapp to injury, Lubick faced a rebuilding year in 2001. The Rams still managed a 7–5 finish[115] and a 45–20 New Orleans Bowl victory over North Texas.[116]

2001 was also notable for the emergence of quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt. A transfer from Michigan State, Van Pelt's dual threat capability as a running and passing quarterback would make him a two-time conference player of the year.[117] But it was his game in 2002 against Colorado that made Van Pelt a cult hero in Fort Collins. After losing to CU in 2001, Van Pelt and the Rams, bolstered by the return of Sapp, went into their Rocky Mountain Showdown heavy underdogs against a Buffaloes team ranked sixth in the nation. Trailing 14–13 late in the fourth quarter, Van Pelt broke loose on a 26-yard touchdown run.[118] As he neared the goal line, Van Pelt turned and spiked the football off of CU cornerback Roderick Sneed's helmet as he scored what would be the game-winning touchdown.[119] Following the game, Van Pelt called CU "the sorriest sixth-ranked team in the nation he had ever faced".[119] It was the second biggest upset in school history, and further added to Van Pelt's following in Fort Collins. Though the outspoken quarterback occasionally gave Lubick problems, the 2002 season would be another banner season. With Sapp setting the school single season rushing record, the Rams finished 2002 with a 10–4 record and another Mountain West Conference title.[120]

The 2003 Ram football team was considered by many to be the best team in Lubick's tenure, if not all of CSU history, prior to the season. Though Sapp was gone, Van Pelt and many other seniors returned, and high-profile Colorado-transfer Marcus Houston was added to the mix.[121] The Rams entered the season ranked 24th in the nation and with hopes of cracking the Bowl Championship Series.[122] Those hopes were quickly dashed when the Rams were upset in their opener by CU 42–35.[123] The Rams recovered to finish 7-6 and make a bowl game for the fifth year in a row.[124]

Although it was not apparent at the time, Lubick's tenure had crested.[125] With Van Pelt gone, CSU faced another rebuilding year in 2004. A particularly devastating loss at Folsom Field against Colorado on September 4,[126] in which Lubick later admitted to mismanaging CSU's final series that ended in the Rams failing in three plays from CU's one yard line to score what would have been a game-winning touchdown in a 27–24 loss, led to a 4–7 finish,[127] the worst year in Lubick's tenure.

The 2005 season started once again with another devastating loss at Colorado on September 3.[128] Leading 21–10 after three quarters,[128] three interceptions allowed CU to tie the game, and Mason Crosby kicked a game-winning 47-yard field goal with five seconds left to give the Buffs a 31–28 win.[128] This time the Rams regrouped. Behind school record setting wide receiver David Anderson,[129] and buoyed by the surprising emergence of thousand yard sophomore running back Kyle Bell,[130] CSU finished the regular season 6–5 and tied for second place in the Mountain West.[131] However, a blowout 56–32 loss to Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl seemed to be another setback.[132]

Following the 2005 season, Lubick signed a three-year contract extension that would have made him CSU's coach through the 2009 season.[133] It was the second contract extension Lubick received at CSU. Unfortunately, the Lubick family was dealt a difficult blow in the off-season. In February, Lubick's youngest son, Marc, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer.[134] The younger Lubick had just finished his first season as Colorado State's wide receivers coach, a position he took over after his brother Matt left the program in 2005 after spending the previous four seasons coaching that position under his father.[134] Marc Lubick underwent chemotherapy and coached during the 2006 season.

The Rams entered the 2006 season with high hopes, but on and off field problems quickly beset the program. Just three days prior to the season opening game against Weber State on September 2, preseason all-conference back Kyle Bell was lost for the season with a torn ACL during a practice.[135] A sophomore in 2005, Bell had run for over 1,000 yards and figured to be the centerpiece in CSU's offense.[135] The Rams defeated Weber State 30–6,[136] but lost another starter prior to their game against archrival Colorado on September 9, this time due to scandal.[137] Several players, including preseason All-MWC cornerback Robert Herbert, were suspended indefinitely from the program after being charged with fraud in a campus check-cashing scandal.[137] Herbert had arguably been the team's best defender in 2005.[137]

Despite these losses, however, the Rams started the 2006 season strong. On September 9, after three years of frustratingly close losses, the Rams defeated their in-state rival CU by a score of 14–10 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium.[138] After dropping a 28–10 decision at Nevada the following week,[139] CSU rebounded with a road win at Fresno State[140] and a homecoming win against UNLV to go to 4–1.[141] Playing at in-state rival Air Force on October 12, the Rams opened up a 21–3 halftime lead and appeared to be well on their way to a fifth victory. However, the Falcons rallied for 21 unanswered points and came back to defeat CSU 24–21.[142] The loss was the beginning of one of the worst slides in Lubick's tenure. The following week Colorado State was shut out 24–0 at Wyoming in the annual Border War series.[143] Home losses to New Mexico[144] and BYU followed,[145] and the Rams ultimately never recovered. Losses to Utah,[146] TCU,[147] and San Diego State concluded a season-ending, seven-game losing streak,[148] leaving CSU 4–8 and tied for last place in the Mountain West,[149] by far the worst year in Lubick's tenure and leading some fans and followers to question whether Lubick should be retained or let go, however, CSU decided to stick with its longtime coach.[150]

Lubick's 14th season got an immediate boost with the return of Bell. With their all-conference halfback in the fold, as well as the most seniors returning in Lubick's tenure, the Rams had a team that figured to rebound from the dismal 2006 season. But a difficult early schedule challenged CSU. Opening against Colorado at Invesco Field at Mile High,[151] the Rams had a familiar finish against their in-state rival.[151] Despite big games from Bell and Kory Sperry, CSU squandered an 11-point 3rd quarter lead and went into overtime.[151] On their first possession, CSU quarterback Caleb Hanie threw an interception in the endzone.[151] CU would win in overtime, 31–28.[151]

Following the CU loss, Colorado State faced one of its most daunting home games ever against then-10th ranked California. The Bears were heavily favored but Colorado State, playing in its home opener, was game. CSU lost a thriller 34–28, their 9th straight loss dating back to 2006.[152] Even worse, the bizarre chain of season-ending ACL injuries to key players continued when Sperry was lost with a torn ACL during the game.[153] It was the 3rd straight season a key player for the Rams had been lost to the injury. Losses continued to mount. Dating back to 2006, CSU lost 11 straight games before defeating UNLV at mid season. Colorado State finished the season 3–9, a new low in the Lubick tenure.[154] The lone bright spot of the year came at the end of the season when the Rams regained the Bronze Boot with a 36–28 win over Wyoming at Hughes Stadium.[154] It would end up being the final game in Lubick's tenure at CSU.

On November 26, 2007, just 3 days after the Wyoming win, it was announced that Lubick was being relieved of his duties as head football coach.[155] Colorado State University athletic director Paul Kowalczyk announced that Lubick has been offered a public relations position as senior associate athletic director, focused on fundraising and serving as a goodwill ambassador for Rams athletics.[156] Lubick was replaced by Steve Fairchild, a former Lubick assistant who returned after serving as offensive coordinator for the NFL's Buffalo Bills.

On February 2, 2008, the Rocky Mountain News reported that Lubick had declined the university's offer to remain in a fundraising role.[157] The paper quoted a source as saying Lubick, 70, had talked with Florida coach Urban Meyer about joining the Gators' staff.[158] Meyer served as wide receivers coach under Lubick in the early 1990s.[158] The job was reported to involve breaking down film and helping with recruiting.[158] However, Lubick did not take that job.

Lubick won nearly 75% of home games in the stadium whose playing surface would bear his name, leading the team to six conference titles and a 108–74 record.[159][160] CSU was consistently a top 25 contender from 1994–2002, with a 79–32 record during that period and 3 top 25 finishes.[161] Lubick, conference coach of the year four times, coached former Denver Broncos Cecil Sapp and current Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Erik Pears, and All-Pro NFL linebacker Joey Porter.[162]

In December 2007, Colorado State University announced that the National Football League's Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild would be returning to his alma mater to serve as head coach.[163]

CSU surprised in its first year under Fairchild. After a 38–17 loss to Colorado in his debut,[164] Fairchild won his first game with CSU, a home victory over Sacramento State 23–20 thanks to a Ben DeLine field goal.[165] The Rams followed that up with a 28–25 win over Houston one week later.[166] However, CSU would lose 5 of their next 7 games, including tight home losses to conference powers TCU (13–7)[167] and BYU (45–42).[168] CSU rallied to win their final two games, with their 31–20 victory at Wyoming,[169] securing their sixth win and a berth in the New Mexico Bowl. Underdogs to Fresno State, CSU won a 40–35 thriller for their first bowl victory since the 2001 New Orleans Bowl.[170] The star of the game (and most of the season) was senior RB Gartrell Johnson, who ran for a career-high 285 yards and added 90 receiving yards.[171] His 375 total yards were the most for one player in bowl history.[171] He ran for two touchdowns, the final being a game winning 77-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.[171] Johnson would be named first team all-MWC following the season.[172] Fairchild became the first coach in CSU history to post a winning season in his first year with the program.[173]

Despite graduating Johnson and several other seniors, 2009 started much the way 2008 ended. The Rams opened the season September 6 at arch-rival Colorado.[174] With a bevy of returning starters, and the game being played in Boulder for the final time (both schools had agreed to play the next decade's worth of games at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium),[175] the Buffs were heavy favorites. However, CSU led from start to finish, beating Colorado 23–17, marking their first victory at Folsom Field since 1986.[174] Following home victories over Weber State[176] and Nevada,[177] the 3–0 Rams appeared headed to postseason yet again. However, the season would derail quickly. Following a 42–23 loss at BYU,[178] the Rams dropped a 31–29 decision at Idaho[179] followed by 24–17 home defeat to Utah.[180] They were the first of four losses that would come by seven points or less. The Rams would not win another game for the rest of the season. A loss to previously winless New Mexico (29–27) assured CSU of a last place finish,[181] and a 17–16 home defeat to Wyoming[182] the day after Thanksgiving not only cost the Rams the Bronze Boot (and their first home loss to Wyoming in 12 years), but made CSU just the 3rd team in Mountain West Conference history to go winless in conference play (Wyoming having done so in 2000 and 2001). CSU finished the season with a 3–9 record.[183]

2010 was just as miserable. The Rams finished with an identical 3–9 record with their lone wins home victories over lowly Idaho,[184] New Mexico[185] and UNLV.[186][187] Blowouts were frequent and the most embarrassing came in the season's final two games. On senior day the Rams were shelled by Brigham Young 49-10.[188] The following week they concluded their season with a 44–0 drubbing by rival Wyoming in the Border War.[189] Wyoming hadn't won a single conference game until that dominating win over Colorado State.[189]

It was hoped that Colorado State would begin to turn the corner in 2011, Fairchild's fourth year. Despite a 28-14 loss to rival Colorado,[190] the Rams started 3–1 highlighted by a dramatic 35-34 comeback win in double overtime at Utah State on September 24.[191] It would be CSU's final win. The following week CSU fell 38-31 to San Jose State on homecoming,[192] the start of an 8-game losing streak. Fairchild was fired by new athletic director Jack Graham on December 4, 2011, one day after his Rams lost to the Wyoming Cowboys in the Border War.[193] It was their third straight loss to Wyoming and the third straight time CSU finished their season 3–9.[194]

Jim McElwain was appointed as coach in 2011, serving for two seasons

On December 12, 2011, Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain was formally introduced as Fairchild's replacement.[195] The hiring was well-received, as McElwain had won two national championships at Alabama as offensive coordinator under legendary head coach Nick Saban.[196]

McElwain's tenure, dubbed by the school's athletic department as "A Bold New Era",[197] began the 2012 season on a high note. McElwain's Rams rallied from an 11-point deficit to defeat arch-rival Colorado by a score of 22–17 at Sports Authority Field in Denver on September 1.[198] McElwain became the first CSU coach to win his debut since Jerry Wampfler in 1970 and the first to ever win his debut against CU.[199][200] The momentum didn't last long, though, as CSU suffered a 22–7 setback in their home opener one week later to defending FCS national champion North Dakota State, the start of a six-game losing skid.[201] The program showed improvement towards the end of the season, winning three of their final five games to finish 4–8 in McElwain's first season.[202]

McElwain's second season with CSU was much more successful. CSU began the season losing their first two games, both of which they had led in the 4th quarter. Colorado State would also lose to Alabama by a score of 31-6 on September 22.[203] However, CSU finished the season winning 8 of its final 11 games. McElwain finished his second season with a record of 8–6 after CSU's miraculous comeback win over Washington State in the New Mexico Bowl.[204][205]

CSU's third season under McElwain led to even greater accomplishments. After a Week 2 loss at Boise State,[206] the Rams, led by star quarterback Garrett Grayson and star wide receiver Rashard Higgins, reeled off 9 straight wins, climbing as high as No. 21 in the national rankings, and being in the conversation for a possible New Year's Day bowl bid.[207] Those hopes were dashed, however, in their final regular season game at Air Force, when the Falcons hit a game-winning field goal as time expired, defeating the Rams. The loss capped CSU's regular season at 10–2.[208] As a result of the successful transformation of the program, McElwain was named the Mountain West Conference's coach of the year on December 2, 2014.

Before the final bowl game after the 2014 regular season, McElwain accepted the position of head football coach at Florida,[209] becoming the first Rams football coach to leave the team for another. Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin, former head coach at San Jose State, was named as the Rams interim head coach for the bowl game.[210] McElwain did not coach the Rams in their final match, a loss in the Las Vegas Bowl to Utah.[211][212]

Mike Bobo

On December 23, 2014, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was named the head football coach at Colorado State University.[213] His hiring marked the second straight SEC offensive coordinator to lead the Rams football program.[214]

In Bobo's first season, the Rams compiled a record of 7–6, which culminated in a loss to Nevada in the Arizona Bowl.[215] After demolishing Savannah State by a score of 65-13 to kick off the season,[216] the Rams lost to Minnesota and Colorado in overtime in consecutive weeks.[217][218] After defeating UTSA,[219] the Rams suffered another two-game skid, losing at Utah State[220] and No. 25 Boise State.[221] CSU then defeated Air Force[222] and lost to San Diego State[223] before embarking upon a four-game winning streak. The Rams defeated Wyoming,[224] UNLV,[225] New Mexico[226] and Fresno State[227] before losing in the Arizona Bowl.[228]

In 2016, the Rams again finished 7–6.[229] After losing to Colorado by a score of 44-7 to kick off the season,[230] the Rams defeated UTSA[231] and Northern Colorado.[232] CSU would follow that up with losses to Minnesota[217] and Wyoming.[233] Bobo led the Rams to a victory over Utah State the following week,[234] but the Rams suffered a defeat at the hands of No. 15 Boise State the next week.[235] Wins over UNLV and Fresno State would follow[236][237] before CSU lost at Air Force.[238] Colorado State would then defeat New Mexico and San Diego State by large margins[239][240] before losing to Idaho in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl by a score of 61-50.[241]

After the 2017 season, Mike Bobo hired Tennessee's John Jancek as his defensive coordinator.[242] The Rams slipped heavily in 2018, going 3-9 and missing out on a bowl game for the first time in 5 years. The 2019 season ended with 4-8 record and Bobo leaving the school.[243]

On December 11, 2019, former Temple and Boston College head coach Steve Addazio was named the new head coach of the Rams.[244]

The game between Colorado State and in-state rival Colorado, now dubbed the Rocky Mountain Showdown, began in 1893. The rivalry series was continued annually until 1958, then was resurrected in 1983. Since 1998, the game has been held mostly in Denver.[248] Since moving to Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the teams have consistently played before the largest crowds in state history to witness a college sporting event. On August 31, 2009, Colorado State and Colorado signed a 10-year contract extension of the Rocky Mountain Showdown which brought the game back to Denver's Sports Authority Field at Mile High from 2010 to 2019. The 2020 game is scheduled to be played at Canvas Stadium. Colorado leads the series 66–22–2 through the 2018 season.[249]

The rivalry between Colorado State and Wyoming, another member of the Mountain West Conference, is the longest rivalry in each school's history and also known as the "Border War" or "Battle for the Bronze Boot". The rivalry began in 1899. Since 1968, the schools have battled for possession of the Bronze Boot traveling trophy. The bronzed battle boot was worn in Vietnam by Colorado State alumnus Dan Romero. The boot is held by Colorado State after Wyoming held the trophy for four straight years. Colorado State leads the series 59–48–5 through the 2020 season.[250]

CSU battles Air Force in October 2003

The Ram–Falcon Trophy originated in 1980 to highlight the rivalry between Colorado State and the Falcons of the U.S. Air Force Academy, another Mountain West Conference member in Colorado that is in Colorado Springs. The wood-carved trophy was produced by local artist Bill Wrage. The Air Force ROTC detachment on the CSU campus initiated the creation of the trophy. Air Force leads the series 35–21–1 through the 2018 season.[251]

• Jack Christiansen

• Shaq Barrett

• Outside linebacker, 2011-13

• Kapri Bibbs

• Running back, 2013

• Dalyn Dawkins

• Running back, 2015-17

• Steve Fairchild

• Quarterback, 1978-80
• QB Coach, 1993-1996
• Offensive Coordinator, 1997-2000
• Head Coach, 2008-2011

• Michael Gallup

• Wide receiver, 2017-18

• Crockett Gillmore

• Tight end, 2010-13

• Caleb Hanie

• Quarterback, 2006-07

• Bisi Johnson

• Wide receiver

• Joey Porter

• Linebacker, 1995-98

• Cecil Sapp

• Fullback

• Bradlee Van Pelt

• Quarterback

• Preston Williams

• Wide receiver, 2018

• Selwyn Jones

• Cornerback, 1988-1992

• Rashard Higgins

• Wide Receiver, 2013-2014