FORT COLLINS, Colo. » The nation’s surprise sophomore receiving leader stood on the sidelines of Hughes Stadium, a mute answer to the week of "Will he or won’t he play?" speculation.
No matter. Colorado State’s sore-shouldered Rashard Higgins didn’t get the chance to cushion his already lofty numbers (142.2 ypg; 1,280 total yards, 13 TDs). The Mountain West’s not-so-surprise Offensive Player of the Year front-runner Garrett Grayson picked apart the Rainbow Warriors quite nicely without Higgins to the tune of 49-22.
"You can’t replace what he gives to our team. He’s a great player; you can’t replace that," said Grayson. "I think tonight we proved just how loaded we are across the board. Everybody — as long as we get them the ball in space, let them make plays — they can do that."
Grayson couldn’t say enough about the receiver corps. "I think that’s why it’s been such trouble for everybody this entire year…. It’s hard to double cover somebody when you’ve got everybody that we have. I think everybody proved what they can do without (Higgins)."
Furthermore, he said it didn’t change his approach or reads.
"There wasn’t ever a time where I was like, ‘Dang, I wish I had Rashard.’ It was really just go out there and play catch, let those guys make plays."
Four TDs were spread to four different receivers. Running backs Dee Hart and Treyous Jerrells each crossed the end zone. True to his upbringing in the Nick Saban school of perfection, Rams coach Jim McElwain nit-picked a missed 27-yard field goal that would have provided the first 50-plus-point game of the season.
Grayson was expecting to hear from McElwain about his only gaffe, a fumble on a handoff that turned into a safety for Hawaii.
Higgins injured his shoulder late in the game at San Jose State the previous week. The worst was feared as he barely moved his arm while being taken to the locker room. It was a week of "game-day decision." Although Higgins came out dressed for the game and participated in pregame warm-ups, the decision was to sit.
"I’m sure he could have played and I’m sure there are some places he probably would have played," said McElwain. "He wants in there as much as anybody. He’s got a pretty good bump on his shoulder and we have other guys on scholarship who can play."
The main beneficiary from Higgins’ absence was senior Charles Lovett, who cashed in with four catches for 134 yards and one score. His biggest play of the day, turning a short reception into a 71-yard sideline dash, was stopped short of the end zone.
"Rashard’s a good player with lots of talent, but that’s not an excuse for us to slack off or feel sorry for ourselves. We have plenty of talent on this team and I’m happy for the guys who stepped up tonight," Lovett said.
Grayson took a seat for the fourth quarter, finishing with a standard four TDs but a relatively modest 278 yards on 12-for-24 passing.
