FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State rushed for 220 yards and held UTSA to minus-one yard on the ground en route to a 23-14 victory on Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium.
Dalyn Dawkins led the Rams' (1-1) ground attack with 68 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while Izzy Matthews added 49 and a score.
The Roadrunners (1-1) threw for 236 yards using two quarterbacks. Dalton Sturm completed 15-of-23 passes for 176 yards and a pair of TDs, while Jared Johnson added 60 yards on 5-of-7 passing. Jalen Rhodes hauled in a career-high five catches for 54 yards, while Kerry Thomas Jr. added four for 41 and his second score, a 10-yarder on UTSA's opening possession, in as many weeks.
The Rams piled up 193 yards on the ground in the first half in building a 20-14 lead at the break.
Colorado State got on the board first when Wyatt Bryan booted a 38-yard field goal to cap the game's opening drive.
UTSA responded with a 12-play, 61-yard scoring march on its first offensive possession.
Sturm completed 5-of-6 passes, including a 10-yard strike to Thomas Jr. in the middle of the end zone on what was the fourth third-down conversion of the drive. Victor Falcon's extra point gave the visitors a 7-3 lead with 5:34 left in the first quarter.
The Rams answered on their next possession.
Dawkins, who rushed for 34 yards on the drive, beat the Roadrunners defense to the left pylon on fourth down and goal from the one to put the home side back on top, 10-7, late in the opening stanza.
After Colorado State pushed its lead to 10 on a 6-yard scoring dash by Izzy Matthews with 3:18 left in the half, UTSA closed the gap to 17-14 on the ensuing possession. On 2nd-and-19, Sturm found Jarveon Williams over the middle for 28 yards down to the Rams 16. On the next play, the junior signal caller connected with Brady Jones over the middle for a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining until halftime.
However, the Rams struck quickly before the half, as Faton Bauta found Elroy Masters for 45 yards down to the UTSA 20. With two seconds left, two consecutive offsides penalties against the Roadrunners on missed field goal attempts gave Colorado State a third try from 28 yards out and the third time was the charm, as Bryan split the uprights to provide the six-point halftime lead.
Neither team scored in the second half until Bryan drilled a 46-yard field goal with 2:24 left to make it a two-possession game.
Colorado State held on from there in handing the Roadrunners their first loss of the season.
UTSA held the Rams to 61 yards of offense in the second half. Michael Egwuagu led the defense with a career-best 12 tackles, while Josiah Tauaefa and Nate Gaines pitched in with nine apiece.
The Roadrunners will return home to host Arizona State (2-0) next Friday, Sept. 16, at the Alamodome. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
