To view a complete list of headlines, click here.

Four Rams Trading Cap And Gown For New Orleans Bowl Trip
Dec 13, 2001
Author:

For the latest bowl information, see the school's official bowl
website: www.CSUBOWL.edu

Fort Collins, Colo./Dec. 13, 2001 - When Colorado State University's
football team loads up buses Friday morning with the travel party for
the Rams' Dec. 18 New Orleans Bowl game with North Texas, four players
will pass up the caps and gowns of commencement exercises for the
helmets and shoulder pads of a third consecutive bowl appearance.
The Rams, who finished second in the Mountain West Conference, face Sun
Belt Conference champion North Texas in the first bowl game of the
season in the Louisiana Superdome Tuesday night (7 p.m. CT/6 p.m.
MT-ESPN2).
It will be a historical journey for the Rams, making a third
consecutive bowl trip for the first time in school history, and a sixth
both game in coach Sonny Lubick's nine seasons.
Four seniors have earned their undergraduate degrees with the
conclusion of the fall term, but won't join other graduates for
commencement exercises this week on the Colorado State campus.
Starting wide receivers Dallas Davis and Pete Rebstock, special teams
stalwart Brad Svoboda, and kicker Kent Naughton will all graduate. They
are four of now six Rams playing in the Dec. 18 who have already earned
degrees. Starting defensive tackle Lucas Smith is enrolled in a
graduate degree program and plans to become a teacher after earning a
bachelor's degree last spring in Wildlife Biology. Teammate Ameer Lowe,
likewise, earned his undergraduate degree and is pursuing two more
degrees at Colorado State.
"I could not be prouder of these guys," said Lubick. "They really do
in every way reflect what a true student-athlete should be. We stress
academics in our program, and leadership. These guys take it to the
next level. They are just a pleasure to be around."
Lubick and his staff will put the final touches on preparations in Fort
Collins with a one-hour workout Thursday afternoon that begins at 3:30
p.m. The team will dress in sweatsuits for its final practice before
moving workouts to New Orleans.
Once the team arrives in New Orleans Friday afternoon, they'll partake
in an orientation and photo session at the Superdome, then practice both
Saturday and Sunday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at nearby Tulane University.
Monday, the team will stage a walk-through at the Superdome, then face
the Mean Green Tuesday night.
The game marks the first time since a 1972 loss to the University of
Houston in the Astrodome that a Rams' team has played in an indoor
stadium.
And, the game will be the first time this season that Colorado State
will have played a game on artificial turf. Colorado State is 7-9 in 16
games on artificial surfaces in Lubick's tenure with the Rams.

Bowl Site Practices
Friday, Dec. 14; 4 p.m.; New Orleans Bowl orientation; Louisiana
Superdome
Saturday, Dec. 15; 12:30-2:30 p.m.; Tulane University
Sunday, Dec. 16; 12:30-2:30 p.m.; Tulane University
Monday, Dec. 17; 9 a.m.; Team walk-through; Louisiana Superdome
Tuesday, Dec. 18; 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT; New Orleans Bowl vs. North Texas
(ESPN2)
Wednesday, Dec. 19; team party returns to Fort Collins

return to Latest Headlines
or View All Headlines

For more information, contact:
Tom Burnett
Associate Commissioner Sun Belt Conference
601 Poydras Street, Suite 2355 New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 299-9066, ext. 16 FAX: (504) 299-9068
Cell: (504) 628-0884 burnett@sunbeltsports.org