Dec. 1, 2000

By Tony Phifer
The Coloradoan

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Colorado State University Rams begin the postseason at 3:30 p.m. today when they begin practices for a Liberty Bowl date with Louisville.

The No. 22 Rams, who won the Mountain West Conference title and finished 9-2, have not seen the field since closing the regular season Nov. 16 with a win over Wyoming. The two-week break seems to have rejuvenated the team.

"I think everybody's really excited to get going again," said senior quarterback Matt Newton. "Everyone seems to be looking forward to getting back on the field."

The Rams will have light workouts today and Saturday, then take a week off for final exams. They will begin full workouts after that.

The Rams will be making their second straight appearance in the Liberty Bowl. Last year they lost 23-17 to Southern Mississippi.

"Last year we had to win our last five games just to get there, so everyone was just happy to be in the Liberty Bowl," Newton said. "This year, this is where we expected to be, so we are in it to win it. Everything we have done so far is on track with the goals we set at the beginning of the season."

The time off has helped several Rams recover from injuries, but wideouts Pete Rebstock and Joey Cuppari are not expected to practice for at least another week. Rebstock suffered a fractured tibia in the Nov. 11 Air Force game, while Cuppari severely sprained his ankle in the Wyoming game.

Meanwhile, tickets sales for the Liberty Bowl have gotten off to a slow start. As of Thursday, CSU had sold 1,150 tickets and is averaging fewer than 200 per day.

"We need to pick up the pace," CSU assistant athletic director Casey Scott said.

Louisville reportedly has sold more than 10,000 tickets.