April 19, 2008

Fairchild spring game press conference transcript

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 FORT COLLINS, Colo. - On the strength of four interceptions and a consistently strong pass rush, Colorado State's defensive players prevailed over their offensive teammates, 49-35, in the annual spring game Saturday at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.

In order to raise the level of internal competition this spring, new Head Coach Steve Fairchild has implemented a unique scoring system, and that matrix again was in place Saturday.

"We had four weeks, the defense won two and the offense won two," Fairchild said. "I think the kids had fun competing against each other."

But it was the green-clad defense that had the most fun in Saturday's spring finale. Four players, including a linebacker and a lineman, recorded interceptions. DT Ty Whittier set the tone on the day's first full-contact snap, making an athletic play to pick off Billy Farris. And because the scoring system awards three points for every takeaway, those turnovers were significant - as they would be in a real game this fall.

Walk-on CB Nick Oppenneer, an all-Colorado quarterback at Columbine High School and possibly a starter for the Rams in 2008, also registered an interception, as did freshmen Gary Stecklein and Matt Wright. Fairchild said he was pleased with the play of the defense.

"It's a positive," he said. "The defense made some great plays. But we didn't play very well at quarterback today, really in any of the drills, and our receiver play hasn't helped in terms of developing the quarterbacks. But it is what it is. We just have to work to get better and push our way through it."

The Rams might get better when new faces arrive in Fort Collins later this year. And if any of members of that 2008 recruiting class proves in practice he can potentially sway a game's outcome in CSU's favor, he will be on the field.

"Evaluation is a real key aspect of recruiting," Fairchild said, "but it's also something you're never 100 percent right on. My feeling is this: We're not red shirting anyone who can help us play, help us win. So if any of those kids come in here and look like they can contribute, they'll play. We'll just bag the redshirt year and go down the road."

CSU's road, looking ahead, still has plenty of obstacles, including summer conditioning and determining a starting lineup.

"Nothing's in granite," Fairchild said. "Obviously, we're starting to learn our players. That's what's fun about this. If you come out and play and you're productive, we'll find a way to get you on the field.

"I think I know, and I think all our coaches know our football team a lot better since we got here in early January. I say that from a personal standpoint, from an academic standpoint, as well as their athletic football skills. And that's what's fun about this job, getting to know kids and helping them develop. We have this 4-5-year period they go through, and hopefully we're going to win some football games, but most importantly we're hoping they come out of our program on the back end better prepared for life."

Life gets a little easier for the Rams with each passing day. Fairchild sees his players and coaches getting more and more comfortable with one another. The defense has installed virtually all of its playbook, ending the spring with an impressive collective effort. The offense is farther behind, but all told, the coach is pleased. He just wishes the NCAA would give him more time.

"There's not a lot of negatives I can say other than the rules only allow us 15 practices and I wish we could have 115," he said.

FORMER PLAYERS RETURN: Scores of former players were on the sidelines Saturday, including former Fairchild pupil Moses Moreno, and Blaine Saipaia, both of whom helped the Rams to dominate their conference with Fairchild on the staff in the 1990s.

"Up at the office yesterday," Fairchild said, "it was neat to see some of those guys, guys that have given it all out on that field, and now they've got enough feeling for Colorado State to come back and watch us practice. It sure made me happy. I had a big smile on my face yesterday."

BIG TURNOUT: If Saturday's attendance is any indication, the public is returning to support CSU football. Athletic department officials estimated the crowd at 6,100. The Rams drew only 4,600 for the spring game one year ago. During the 2007 regular season, CSU's average home attendance was its lowest since 1992.