Sonny needs to pull a Joe-Pa

CSU lost again.


I don’t even know where to begin. Even with a 14 point lead going into halftime, I knew CSU would lose. It seems like it is now a constant.


I predicted that the Rams would win in a shootout, and I was close to my projection, as the Rams trailed Houston 31-27 late, but they were driving for what could have been the game-winning score.


With the Rams at midfield, they faced a third-and-5, after Hanie just missed Damon Morton deep. So they ran Kyle Bell up the middle. He got three yards. A questionable call, but it did make the fourth-down manageable.


That brought up a fourth-and-two, with just over three minutes remaining. CSU called a timeout to talk over the strategy.


So far in the game CSU couldn’t run very well when they had to (they had converted zero third-and-short rushing attempts, and barely converted a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak), but had gained yards through the air, and Caleb Hanie, for the most part, had rushed the ball effectively when pressured.


So why not play-action fake and roll Hanie out in an attempt to take advantage of Houston’s fast, over-aggressive defense, while giving him a run-pass option? Or even spread Houston and pound Kyle Bell to the outside, hoping to get him isolated on a smaller cornerback or safety?


Or just go with a QB sneak on a fourth-and-two. That will fool ‘em. Hanie was stuffed on the obvious, unimaginative play, and then the CSU defense put up no fight in allowing another Houston touchdown.


Thankfully Florida International also lost, or else CSU would be on the worst losing streak in the nation.


During this 10-game losing streak the Rams have led four games in the second-half (Air Force and New Mexico in 2006, CU and Houston in 2007), and they have let them all get away.


Every game in the streak has seen costly turnovers, poor play calling, an overmatched defense in the second half, and a promise that things will get better soon.


But why would they?


The only way for Sonny to save his job is to go the Joe Paterno route; fire some assistants and tinker with new strategies, while hoping to bring in a couple of playmakers just off your name.


I will not call for Sonny’s head, because CSU football was horrible before Sonny. He needs to have a chance to right his legacy, but there must be some pressure for him to make drastic changes.


If he refuses to do that, then I feel that it might be time for CSU to enter the “After Sonny” era.