A Cougars reflections on CSU…

When I -Markell- am asked about CSU down the road, I will remember three things:
1)The Power run game with pulling guards.
2)Always running to the same O-Linemen (They had strong and weak Guards and Tackles, not left and right. They would rotate to where the majority of the runs went)
3)Scissors. Coach Mendenhall would have the scout team running that route every other play.

But each year had it’s own memories as well…

In 2004 I was a walk-on freshman and converted LB, previously a safety. I had started the first two games of the season, but I wasn’t ready for the college game yet. I hadn’t figured out the technique I needed to be a LB. Needless to say, by the time the CSU game came around I was a reserve player, backing up all 3 linebacker spots. The point of emphasis that week was to keep the running QB, Justin Holland, inside the pocket (Sound Familiar?). At half time we had not accomplished this. My coach was not too happy. He was laying into us, and when words weren’t enough he grabbed someone’s shoes from under the bench and threw them across the locker room. We didn’t know whether to be in fear, or start laughing.

In the second half I went in for a play, which sent me on a linebacker blitz. I took a bad angle at the QB missed the sack and let him scramble, breaking our contain. I was pulled out of the game immediately. In the LB meetings on Monday my coach said, “Look at that Markell, you go in for one play and you screw it up. Hell of a deal huh? Still wonder why you’re not playing?”

That was good motivation, when we played AFA, I led the team in tackles.

In 2005 we played CSU at home. The emphasis that week was on a certain CSU pass play…”Scissors”. This is when they line up two receivers on the same side of the ball about 6 yards apart. They run straight for 12 or 15 yards than cross; one to the post, one to the corner. It was their signature route. We practiced that play a thousand times during the week.
When they ran it during the game it was a non-issue -ah sweet success.

I also remember Coach Mendenhall calling a saftey blitz. The blitz called for the two inside backers and the safety to blitz up the A gaps. I hit the blitz hard, took on the RB and spun off. I had the QB dead in my sights when out of nowhere comes Corby Hodgkiss and just blasts the QB. It was awesome. Finally to end the game, Bryan Kehl rushed the passer and almost getting the sack. Bryan than sprinted downfield to where the receiver had caught the ball. Bryan arrived to the ball carrier just in time to recover the fumble and insure a BYU win. Coach Mendenhall showed Bryan’s fumble recovary over and over in our team meeting on Monday. It was an amazing display of athletisim and hustle. It was a fun night for us youngsters.

In 2006 we were back in Ft. Collins. I had recently returned from my hamstring injury and still wasn’t playing too much. I remember in the third quarter going in and CSU completing a short pass to the flats. As I pursued the receiver I got that feeling like I should probably have my head on a swivel. I turned my head just in time to see a receiver about to ear-hole me. I lowered my shoulder and took the hit. I was relieved when I say the play in meetings the next week. I saw him just in time so it looked like I got the best of him. What everyone in the meeting didn’t know was that the WR caught my head just right and I blacked out for a few seconds -I also didn’t come out of the game.

2007 was a great game. We were determined to stop the CSU rushing game and we did. The Predator -Gartrel Johnson, please reference the above pic- didn’t get over 100 yards on the Cougars. Three plays I distinctly remember from that game: First drive of the game they were moving the ball. They were down around the 10 after a big play action pass. Pre-snap read told me it’s going to be a screen, and sure enough it was. I was all over it. I hit Gartrel right as the ball sailed over his head. I think the QB just threw the ball away when he saw that I was all over the Predator.

In the 3rd quarter they threw a pass to the flats and I was in pursuit. I got that feeling again -what is it with CSU? Nobody else ear-holed me in 4 years- this time it wasn’t a receiver, it was a big TE and my head was not on a swivel. All I could do was duck my shoulder, but he got me good. I was a little dizzy, but somehow found my way off the field. The next play was a 40+ yard run to my side I was like, “Crap, I need to get back in there.” I was still a little woozy when the next play began. As the play progressed the guard pulling my direction. The gaurd caught me flat footed and planted me like a seed into LES’s turf. That’s when I decided I’d better get my wits about me and went to the sideline.

I always liked playing the Rams. CSU like to simply line up in 21, 12 and 22 personel and try and run the ball down your throat. Then they go to play actions pass. It was LBs dream game. Bring on the Run!