Saturday, August 9, 1997

Fort Collins-- Colorado State football coach Sonny Lubick officially opened fall football camp Friday at Hughes Stadium during annual media day activities.

Lubick, entering his fifth year as head coach, had nearly 100 roster players on hand at the stadium for photo and interview sessions. The Rams were then scheduled for an afternoon that included physical testing. The Rams hit the practice field to begin two-a-day workouts Saturday morning. They will work out twice daily in "shells"- shorts and helmets, until donning pads for the first time on Wednesday, August 13.

Expectations are running high for the Rams, with most preseason publications selecting the Rams to win the Western Athletic Conference's Pacific Division. Most have also listed the team among the nation's top 30. While admitting he's a bit worried about such lofty expectations, he is also excited in light of the fact the Rams return 17 starters from a 7-5 team that fared much better than anticipated a season ago.

"I have confidence in this football team. We have 15 seniors, and all will play. They will all be contributors to this team,"he said. "This is an intelligent football team. They know what it takes. However, we will have to play very well to match some of the expectations."

Quarterback Moses Moreno, who threw for more than 2900 yards last season, leads the listing of returning starters. Sportswriters and broadcasters attending WAC meetings a week ago named the senior from Chula Vista, Calif., as the preseason favorite to win WAC Pacific Division "Offensive Player of the Year"honors.

"I have always felt that Moses Moreno was good,"said Lubick. "He has the intangibles: a great mental

attitude, he is very tough, and he works hard. Plus, he's intelligent. He'll be better this year than he even

was last season because he wants to work at it."

Moreno will have a veteran offensive line holding out enemy defenders. When practice begins, the five

players listed first team on the depth chart will average 6-5, 298 pounds.

"We have better depth on the offensive line than a year ago,"said Lubick. "We have seven or eight players

who can play for us."

Heading that group are juniors Mike Newell and Anthony Cesario. Newell is a 6-4, 285-pound center, and

Cesario is a 6-6, 312-pound guard. Both are in their second seasons as starters and both have received

preseason honors.

"Mike Newell is as good as anyone in the country at that position.

The offensive line should be as physical as it ever has been,"said

Lubick.

Defensively, Lubick is satisfied with the front four and linebacker

positions, but says a key to the team's success will be solidifying

the secondary.

"We have four good defensive ends. The front four will be better. We are solid and have better depth at linebacker this season,"Lubick said.

In addition to Lubick's high expectations the offensive line is also a record setter - being one of the largest in school history. The Coloradoan reports the linemen cleaned up 60 pounds of hamburger during one summer barbque.

Colorado State begins the regular season on Aug. 30, playing host to Nevada at Hughes Stadium. Kickoff time for the Ag Day game is 2 p.m.