FORT COLLINS
Colorado State had blown two fourth quarter leads in a row. The Rams appeared headed for a third demoralizing defeat when Cal Poly kicker Bobby Zalud lined up for 32-yard field goal.
“I closed my eyes,” Colorado State coach Jim McElwain said before the kick. “I was a little frustrated with the way we came out after the half. I thought we walked around a bit.”
This time the Rams didn’t buckle and blow a lead. Instead, Shaq Barrett broke through a gap to block Zalud’s attempt, and Colorado State went on a time-consuming drive to add an insurance touchdown.
Garrett Grayson threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns, and Barrett blocked two field goals, leading CSU to a 34-17 victory over Cal Poly on Saturday.
The Mustangs could have closed the gap to 27-20 with 8 minutes, 11 seconds left when Barrett made his second block.
“I saw the gap and timed it perfectly,” Barrett said. “Everything went perfectly.”
Colorado State followed the block with a 10-play, 68-yard drive that culminated with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Grayson to Kivon Cartwright.
Grayson was 21-for-30 passing with no turnovers.
Chris Nwoke ran for 133 yards on 19 carries for CSU(1-2).
Jared Roberts converted two field goals for the Rams, who had blown fourth-quarter leads in their first two games.
Cal Poly (1-2), the co-champions of the Big Sky Conference a year ago, was outgained 533-367.
CSU scored on 5-of-6 possessions, including the final 14 points of the first half.
Cal Poly scored a touchdown, then the Rams’ Kapri Bibbs scored from the 1 after tackle Ty Sambrailo got the ball there on an 11-yard run on a lateral. Rashad Higgins caught a 36-yard touchdown pass.
Cal Poly’s defense held the Rams to one first down in the third quarter.
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