Daniel Brenner / Associated Press)
FORT COLLINS — A big finish.
Colorado State was looking for a grand final act to draw the curtain on Hughes Stadium on Saturday night, and it was an ensemble piece. The entire Rams' cast was on the stage of Sonny Lubick Field to take a final bow in a 49-31 victory over New Mexico.
The win was the sixth of the season for the Rams (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West), making them bowl eligible for the fourth straight season.
Colorado State out-rushed the Lobos (7-4, 5-2), the nation's top running team, with big play after big play, but more impressive was the fact the Rams' defense brushed off the tire marks of the Air Force option a week ago, pursued sideline to sideline and didn't give up many chunk plays on the perimeter when it mattered.