Colorado State Helmet Stickers and Play of the Game

It's time for this week's helmet stickers. Dah. I feel like Mark May. Wait...I'm not a busta. Nevermind.

Offensive Player of the Game: Nate Longshore

Considering how anemic Cal's offense was at times on Saturday, it's a bit difficult to find a clear cut winner for the offensive game ball. If I could, I would pull a Voltron transformation and combine the entire offensive line into one super huge O-line man, just to give them the game ball. Because man, were they dominant on Saturday. Cal's O-line did not allow a single sack and paved huge holes for the backs to amass 189 yards on the ground with an impressive 6.3 YPC.

("And I'll form the head!")

However, I can't quite pull off a Voltron like combination (yet...), so I’ll have to settle for giving the game ball to a single player. As strange as it is to say, you have to give it to backup QB Nate Longshore. Longshore came in midway through the 3rd quarter when the game had been essentially decided, and while not lighting up the field, managed the offense well enough to salvage a bit of the passing game against CSU.

Although one must absolutely consider the competition and the game situation, Longshore was fairly sharp in his limited time. With the exception of a few errant passes, Longshore's passing downs gave him an opportunity to show off his improved mobility and plenty of authority on most of his passes. Also, his audible and subsequent TD strike to Jeremy Ross was a thing of beauty.

While Longshore's performance isn't quite clear cut evidence that he should be the starter, it must still be a bit reassuring to Nate to know that he is beginning to show that he is capable of bouncing back from his MSU performance, and to a certain extent, the back end of 2007. It obviously also has Tedford and the fans wondering what’s next.

It’s also fair to give credit where credit is due: Nate had the best all-around offensive performance of any offensive player on Saturday. When was the last time anyone said that?

Honorable Mentions:
Jahvid Best: 11 carries, 85 yards, 3 catches, 27 yards
Shane Vereen: 12 carries, 75 yards, 2 catches, 19 yards


Defensive Player of the Game: Darian Hagan

Choosing the Player of the Game on the defensive side of the ball was also difficult, but fortunately, for different reasons. The defense played lights out on Saturday against an overmatched Rams team, and a number of players stood out.

A number of players like Mike Mohammed, and Eddie Young approached the double digit number in tackles. Brett Johnson scored on an interception return. Anthony Felder continued to be the most consistent tackler for the Bears defense this season, and Follett was a constant disruptive force in the backfield.

And who can forget the game Squid had?

At the end of the day though, I had to give it to Darian Hagan, who had a coming out performance on Saturday. Hagan came into the came with a chip on his shoulder after having been burned for two long TDs the previous year against the Rams late in the game (see, there’s hope for you Chris Conte). Hagan got his chance for sweet redemption with an eye opening performance.

Hagan had 7 tackles, including one for a loss, an incredible pass breakup after the Rams tried to torch him again down the field, and also recorded his first career interception.

While the student section was chanting Syd’Quan Thompson’s name after his all-around performance on Saturday, and yes, Squid just might be the best defensive player on the team, most people missed out on a great all-around defensive performance from the increasingly confident corner on the other side of the field.

Congrats Darian. Now keep it up.

Honorable Mentions:
Syd’Quan Thompson: 9 tackles, 1 sack
Mike Mohamed: 9 tackles
Anthony Felder: 7 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 assisted sack
Brett Johnson: 6 tackles, 1 interception TD return

Play of the Game
I'll make this quick and easy. Syd'Quan's 73 yard punt return, the first since Desean Jackson had one for 76 yards against the Volunteers last year (cue: "The Wizard of Returns!"). And I'll repeat myself. Jackson was shake and bake. Squid squirmed free from the grasps of a CSU defender and took it to the house. Me likey.