Injuries to key offensive playmakers force the Cougars to test their depth in Fort Collins as the Rams aim to snap a decades-long losing streak against ranked opponents.
The 11th-ranked BYU Cougars will be without a pair of starters Saturday night against Colorado State.
Before kickoff, BYU officials announced tight end Roger Saleapaga II, offensive lineman Kyle Sfarcioc and wide receiver Tiger Bachmeier are out. This adds to the list of Cougars players unavailable for matchup with CSU.
Saleapaga was listed as the starting tight end with Walker Lyons. Keayen Nead is expected to get more reps against the Rams. Kyle Sfarcioc was listed as the starting left guard. He'll be replaced by Joe Brown or Zak Yamauchi.
Bachmeier made the trip to Fort Collins, but will be in a support role for his brother on the sidelines. Here's the entire list of players who are out for BYU, including those who were announced earlier in the week.
OUT:
- TE - Roger Saleapaga
- WR - Tiger Bachmeier
- RB - Sione Moa
- OL - Kyle Sfarcioc
- LB - Siale Esera
- S - Raider Damuni
This will push BYU to rely on depth, especially on the offensive line. Kalani Sitake's team has always played with a "next man up" mentality, and will do it again on Saturday. This isn't new, and the Cougars will make the proper adjustments.
BYU (2-0) enters the first road game of the season looking to make a statement in Fort Collins. Colorado State (2-0) hosts the Cougars for the first time at Canvas Stadium. The Rams called Hughes Stadium their home for decades.
The state-of-the-art venue brought football back to the heart of the main campus in 2017. The move was roughly five miles away from the foot of the Flatirons. CSU traded a scenic atmosphere for downtown accessibility.
The Rams haven't beaten a ranked opponent at home in 36 years. The last upset in Fort Collins came in 1990. Colorado State is riding a 27-game losing streak against AP Top 25 teams. BYU can't allow the streak to end and be on the wrong side of history.
One of the most significant Colorado State football games in years in front of a national TV audience. The last win against a ranked team away from Fort Collins came against No. 7 Colorado at Mile High Stadium in 2002. The last time a ranked BYU team was upset by CSU came in 1994 in Provo.
Due to a lightning delay, kickoff between BYU and CSU was moved to 8:15 p.m. ET. The game will be on CBS.
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