Live Recap: CSU football falls behind big early in lopsided loss at Washington State

PULLMAN, Wash. — If this game is anything like when these two teams met in 2013 then we're in for a heck of a Saturday.

The Washington State football team hosts Colorado State at 3 p.m. Mountain on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The two teams have met once before, a 2013 New Mexico Bowl thriller.

In that game the Rams were down by 22 at one point and 15 in the final 5 minutes before rallying for a 48-45 win.

What's in store this time? Follow along to find out as Coloradoan reporter Kevin Lytle covers the game in Washington. As a note, The Coloradoan is the lone media outlet on the road covering the Rams in Washington. If you don't already, consider supporting local journalism with a digital subscription.

Postgame reaction

Lytle shared his thoughts after another lopsided CSU loss, including some fun "Ponderings from the Palouse." How much panic should Rams fans have after this 0-3 start? Here's the breakdown

Lytle:Rating the panic meter on CSU football’s 0-3 start. What's most concerning?

What Jay Norvell said after CSU's loss

Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell said that Washington State's early scoring deluge never gave the Rams a fighting chance.

Final

Washington State cruises in this one, finishing with a 38-7 win over Colorado State.

Kannon Katzer added a 1-yard TD run in the final minutes for Washington State's final score.

3 Takeaways:Washington State football team rips Colorado State

Jack Howell interception

CSU sophomore safety Jack Howell picked off an ill-advised Ward pass and returned it to the Washington State 21.

That's Howell's second pick in as many weeks (he also had one against Michigan ruled out on replay). CSU couldn't turn it into points though, as they went 4-and-out.

First-career TD Justus Ross-Simmons

One bright spot for CSU with true freshman receiver Justus Ross-Simmons catching his first college TD. He scored on a tough reception on an 14-yard strike from Clay Millen.

End third quarter

Washington State's lead is 31-0 after three quarters. The game is unofficially over with the Rams seeking some small positives to build on.

Mo Kamara continues to shine

CSU defensive end had a hand in back-to-back sacks for CSU, but the worrying news for CSU is he left shaken up after the second. He walked off on his own power, though.

Those 1.5 sacks give him 3.5 already this season.

Washington State interception

On a 4th down inside Washington State territory Clay Millen heaved up a hope pass and it was picked off by Jaden Hicks at the Washington State 3. Basically worked like a punt and no harm done as Rams force a three-and-out.

Washington State adds field goal

Washington State took just three plays on the opening drive of the third quarter to reach the CSU 5-yard-line, but the Rams held from there and Dean Janikowski kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 31-0 with 13:05 left in the third.

Halftime

Washington State 28, Colorado State 0.

Just about everything that could go wrong for CSU in that first half did as the Rams were dominated. Yardage is 257-82.

Colorado State recovers fumble

One bit of good news. CJ Onyechi strips Cam Ward and Cam'Ron Carter picks it up. CSU ball at Washington State 35.

Getting out of hand

Cam Ward is doing just about whatever he wants and his fourth touchdown pass of the day (this a 2-yard effort to Donovan Ollie) puts Washington State up 28-0 with 6:10 left in the first half.

Ward is 15-20 for 164 yards and four touchdowns thus far.

First quarter woes

This tells you all you need to know about how CSU has started games. Additionally, as of early in the second quarter here the Rams still have zero first-half points this season.

End first quarter

Washington State leads Colorado State 21-0 after one. Rams ball at WSU 45 to start the second quarter.

Yardage is 171-70 for the Cougars.

Washington State adds another

The Cougars are simply ripping through the Colorado State defense.

Cameron Ward hits Stribling for a 19-yard TD on the drive following the missed field goal. It caps a five-play, 73-yard drive that was pretty easy work.

An ugly 21-0 Washington State with 3:24 still to go in the first quarter.

Colorado State misses field goal

Michael Boyle earned the first shot at kicking duties in the wake of the departure of Cayden Camper. His first effort was from 44 yards and he missed left to keep CSU scoreless after a 48-yard drive.

Washington State lead is still 14-0.

Washington State adds another touchdown

Cameron Ward hits De'Zhaun Stribling on a 13-yard TD pass, one play after Ward had an exceptional scramble and throw.

It's 14-0 Washington State with 9:59 left in the first quarter.

Greg Laday leaves injured

Colorado State defensive back Greg Laday left the field early in the game after making a tackle and went straight to the CSU locker room.

Washington State strikes fast

After a shanked 26-yard punt, Washington State only had 46 yards to go and the Cougars scored quickly on a Cameron Ward TD pass to Donovan Ollie from 17 yards out.

Washington State is up 7-0 less than 3 minutes in.

Familiar feel

CSU's first drive ends in a familiar way, with a sack. That has to be fixed for the Rams to get on track.

Washington State injuries

Washington State suffered some injuries in last week's win at Wisconsin.

Starting linebacker Travion Brown and starting safety Jordan Lee are both out, per Colton Clark of the Spokesman Review.

Projected starting offensive line

CSU's biggest problem is the offense line, as evidenced by an FBS-leading 16 sacks allowed in two games. With both starting tackles out, there's some shuffling.

The projected line is: Jacob Gardner (LT), Dante Bivens (LG), Dirk Nelson (C), Gray Davis (RG) and Owen Snively (RT).

Running back A'Jon Vivens out

Colorado State starting running back A'Jon Vivens isn't dressed in uniform and won't play at Washington State. He was in a boot at practice during the week.

That likely means Avery Morrow would start, with David Bailey also in line for carries.

Right tackle Dantae Keys is also not available as he battles a knee injury. Left tackle Brian Crespo-Jaquez has already been ruled out for the year.

Goal post update

Yep, you read that right, it's a goalpost check-in. Martin Stadium is one of just three FBS stadiums with a double-base goalpost.

The more you know.

Smack talk?

The tailgate in Pullman is highlighted by a big lot of RVs, with a lot of corn hole being played (or do they call it bags here?). Also, was this smack talk?

Either way, it's a very pretty campus in the rolling hills of The Palouse.

Washington State and Colorado State connections

There’s a big Nevada flavor in this one. CSU coach Jay Norvell spent the last five seasons at Nevada and 11 players on this Rams team transferred from Nevada.

And Washington State? Defensive coordinator Brian Ward spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Nevada under Norvell. Linebacker Daiyan Henley, who Norvell has called Washington State’s best defensive player, is a Nevada transfer and NFL prospect. Henley leads the team with 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss and an interception.

Defensive back Jordan Lee spent the last four seasons at Nevada, although Lee is not dressed and not expected to play.

CSU football injury issues

One big question mark for the game will be how CSU deals with its injuries on the offensive line. Left tackle Brian Crespo-Jaquez was hurt late last week and is expected to be out for the season. Right tackle Dontae Keys was hurt late in the week as well and tried to play in the game against Middle Tennessee but couldn't make it through the first quarter.

How to watch:TV information, betting line and more for CSU at Washington State

Crespo-Jaquez is out Saturday and Keys is unlikely to play. How will the Rams cope? The best guess at starting OL is Jacob Gardner (LT), Dante Bivens (LG), Dirk Nelson (C), Gray Davis (RG) and Owen Snively (RT).

Rams in white

For the first time this season the white helmets with green bone horns are out for CSU. The Rams will be in those helmets (with a new matte look), white jerseys and green pants.

For Washington State, it's also white lids. The Cougars are wearing white helmets, crimson jerseys and white pants.

How similar, and different, are Colorado State and Washington State

Washington State is one of the more remote Power 5 outposts and the Cougars play in one of the smallest P5 stadiums. This is the second Power 5 foe for the Rams in the first three weeks of the season, but the first was Michigan and Th Big House, the largest stadium in the country.

Check out how CSU and Washington State compare.

Tale of the tape:How Washington State and Colorado State stack up

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Live updates: Washington State football team hosts Colorado State