CSU rallies to win New Mexico Bowl

By Eric Maddy
The SCORE

In a state known for its debate between red and green chili, Gartrell Johnson was the hottest thing in New Mexico on Saturday.

The Colorado State running back rushed for the sixth-hightest total in the nation this year, leading the Rams to a come-from-behind 40-35 victory over Fresno State in New Mexico Bowl III at University Stadium in Albuquerque.

Johnson, a 6-0, 225-pound senior, ended his college career with 375 yards in total offense -- 285 rushing and 90 receiving -- as his team overame a 28-20 deficit in the final period with touchdowns on three straight possessions. Johnson's 77-yard run with 1:46 left in the game that sealed the Rams’ victory and his award as offensive most valuable player.

Fresno State, which led until the final seven minutes, did score a quick touchdown with 55 seconds left to narrow the margin to five points, but the Bulldogs were unable to recover an onside kick attempt and CSU ran out the clock.

For a long time in the second half, Anthony Harding’s 2-yard run to cap Fresno State’s first possession of the second half appeared like it might be the score that decided the game as a first-half offensive shootout turned into a bend-but-don’t break second half. But Colorado State, which finished the season 7-6, turned the offensive game around with defense, stopping Fresno State on five consecutive possessions in the second half.

Trailing 28-20 entering the final period, Fresno had the ball and reached midfield in the opening minute. That’s when defensive MVP Tommie Hill of CSU made the key play of the game, intercepting an attempted screen pass from Bulldog quarterback Tom Brandstater and returning it to the Fresno State 32. The Rams scored in seven plays, with Johnson scoring from three yards out, but his 2-point conversion run failed and left CSU trailing 28-26.

A fired-up CSU defense stopped Fresno State’s next series and forced the Bulldogs to punt to the CSU 27. The Rams took the lead for the first time all day three plays later when quarterback Billy Farris hit Rashaun Greer on a 69-yard touchdown pass with 7:00 minutes left. The 6-1 Greer outjumped 5-11 Sharrod Davis at the 45, grabbed the ball and raced untouched for the go-ahead score when Davis fell down.

Fresno State got to its 46 on the ensuing drive but head coach Pat Hill opted to punt with 2:36 left in the game, hoping to stop CSU by using its three timeouts and getting the ball back. Johnson ruined that strategy, however, by gaining eight yards on the first play from scrimmage before breaking free on his 77-yard deciding touchdown.

Johnson’s long run was the last of several big plays in a game in which the two teams combined for 1,053 in total offense, which doesn’t include 163 yards in kick returns and 37 return yards on two interceptions.

The Bulldogs, 7-6 overall after going 4-4 in the Western Athletic Conference, scored touchdowns on its first two drives before having to punt for the first time with seven seconds left in the period. Colorado State, which also finished 7-6 overall and 4-4 in the Mountain West Conference, drove for a touchdown and field goal on its first two drives and scored marched 75 yards for a field goal in the second period to narrow the margin to one point.

Fresno State responded with a four-play, 80 yard drive, with the last 69 coming on a touchdown run by Lonyae Miller. What looked like a simple off-tackle run to the left became the longest rushing touchdown in New Mexico Bowl history when the 5-11, 215-pound junior bounced out of a tackle and raced untouched along the visiting sideline.

But that record and that score didn’t last for long. Using mostly short passes, Colorado State marched 87 yards in 12 plays before scoring with two seconds left in the half.

With seven seconds left on the clock, the Rams eschewed a field goal attempt. Instead, Farris hit Kory Sperry in the back left corner of the south end zone for a 22-yard scoring play.

Sperry went up between Bulldog defenders Lorne Bell and Davis, grabbed the ball at its highest point and appeared to get both heels inside the end zone to complete the touchdown that narrowed the margin to one point at intermission.

Farris’ spectacular catch completed a wild half where both teams mostly marched up and down the field like they were running shadow drills in spring practice against a skeleton defense. Fresno State started the action with a seven play, 72 yard drive using three plays of 15-plus yards to set up Miller’s first touchdown, a one-yard plunge.

Colorado State tied the game in slightly more than two plays, with Johnson breaking a 57-yard run on a direct snap to center to move the ball to the Fresno State 18. From there, Grant Stucker found the end zone to cap the four-play drive and tie the game.

The Bulldogs came back with another seven-play drive, this time going 73 yards in 2:57. Gains of 25 and 22 yards on passing plays from Brandstater to receivers Seyi Ajirotutu and Bear Pascoe put FSU at the Colorado State 3, where Anthony Harding punched though the defense for a 2-yard score two plays later.

A 31-yard run and 16-yard reception by Johnson helped CSU move to the Fresno 12, but the drive stalled there and the Rams settled for a 29-yard field goal by Jason Harding.

After three punts – two by Fresno State – CSU resumed the scoring parade. A 57-yard Farris to Johnson shovel pass on third-and-11 moved the Rams to the FSU 13, but the Bulldog defense rose to the occasion, forcing the Rams to settle for 22-ard field goal that made the margin one point for the first time.

Then the two teams then traded their touchdowns before the half. They combined for 561 yards in total offense before intermission.

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