Dec. 19, 2000

By Tony Phifer
The Coloradoan

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Colorado State University Rams, who made a habit of rallying for wins in the fourth quarter this season, already are in come-from-behind mode when it comes to preparations for the Liberty Bowl.

Final exams, lousy weather and Sunday's accident that injured cameraman Shane Ballew have combined to put the Rams behind schedule as they get ready for their Dec. 29 battle with Louisville. And that has CSU coach Sonny Lubick more than a little concerned.

"You want to have all of your game plan in before you go to Memphis, and we're not there yet," Lubick said Monday. "As you get closer to Christmas, the players start to lose focus and it makes it hard to get things done. We're definitely a little behind."

Bitter cold and high winds have hampered most of the Rams' practices thus far. Ballew's accident - he has badly injured Sunday when the tower he was using to videotape practice blew over - forced Lubick to cancel that practice before it was half over.

The Rams still had Ballew on their minds Monday when they returned to practice, but they were buoyed somewhat by news that Ballew's condition had been upgraded from critical to serious.

"That was a big relief to everyone," senior linebacker Rick Crowell said.

Despite the distraction and another day of nasty, windy conditions, Lubick was pleased with the day's work.

"I thought we practiced very well, especially considering the elements," he said. "We've really been fighting an uphill battle the last week or so, and now we don't have much time. But I couldn't be more pleased with the attitude."

The Rams still are awaiting the return of starting wideout Joey Cuppari and starting defensive end Chad McGuckin. Cuppari still can't cut after suffering a severely sprained ankle Nov. 16 against Wyoming, while McGuckin still is hobbled by a torn posterior cruciate knee ligament, also against Wyoming. Both may sit out until the team practices in Memphis.

The Rams will depart Sunday.