Spring Break
CSU safety carousel stops with Smith, Galusha
Matt L. Stephens
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Sports
When the season started, there were a lot of questions about the CSU football team. How will senior Billy Farris do at quarterback? Which running back will produce more, Kyle Bell or Gartrell Johnson III? How improved will the offensive line be from a year ago? And the list goes on.
One of the things the Rams were sure of was their safety play, anchored by senior Mike Pagnotta and junior Klint Kubiak. The corps was clearly one of the strong points for CSU and the two veterans produced when they were on the field, combining for 81 tackles and three interceptions - highlighted by Kubiak's game winning pick in the end zone against Houston.
But that was the start of the season and this is its end. The two safeties have been plagued by injuries, so stepping in to successfully fill their shoes are senior strong safety Jake Galusha and freshman free safety Elijah-Blu Smith.
Head coach Steve Fairchild has been impressed with the way Smith and Galusha have stepped up.
"Elijah and Galusha have really done a nice job for us and that will pay dividends next year," Fairchild said. "Elijah can play both safety and corner, so that will help."
Galusha, who will be playing in his final Border War on Saturday at Wyoming, said it means a lot to him, personally, to be able to play and represent Pagnotta.
"For sure, I'm playing for Pags. Unfortunately he's out, but Pags has a chance to really play if we make it to a bowl," Galusha said. "So that gives a little extra to me and Blu back there playing for our buddies. Four years, toughing it out for the same guys, you really like to have a chance to play for those guys."
Galusha, who was recruited by the Cowboys out of high school, added he sees Wyoming as the Rams biggest rivalry right now, especially with a possible bowl berth on the line.
Smith, who hasn't had near as much collegiate experience as Galusha, says that Pagnotta and Kubiak have given him a lot of pointers on playing safety at the college level.
One of the things the Rams were sure of was their safety play, anchored by senior Mike Pagnotta and junior Klint Kubiak. The corps was clearly one of the strong points for CSU and the two veterans produced when they were on the field, combining for 81 tackles and three interceptions - highlighted by Kubiak's game winning pick in the end zone against Houston.
But that was the start of the season and this is its end. The two safeties have been plagued by injuries, so stepping in to successfully fill their shoes are senior strong safety Jake Galusha and freshman free safety Elijah-Blu Smith.
Head coach Steve Fairchild has been impressed with the way Smith and Galusha have stepped up.
"Elijah and Galusha have really done a nice job for us and that will pay dividends next year," Fairchild said. "Elijah can play both safety and corner, so that will help."
Galusha, who will be playing in his final Border War on Saturday at Wyoming, said it means a lot to him, personally, to be able to play and represent Pagnotta.
"For sure, I'm playing for Pags. Unfortunately he's out, but Pags has a chance to really play if we make it to a bowl," Galusha said. "So that gives a little extra to me and Blu back there playing for our buddies. Four years, toughing it out for the same guys, you really like to have a chance to play for those guys."
Galusha, who was recruited by the Cowboys out of high school, added he sees Wyoming as the Rams biggest rivalry right now, especially with a possible bowl berth on the line.
Smith, who hasn't had near as much collegiate experience as Galusha, says that Pagnotta and Kubiak have given him a lot of pointers on playing safety at the college level.
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