FORT COLLINS, Colorado -- Savannah State kicker John Barron had a career day but it was not enough as Savannah State fell to Colorado State in their 2015 season opener, 65-13.
The crowd of 24,571 at Hughes Stadium saw Barron sail a punt 71 yards in the first quarter from his own 29. Early in the fourth quarter, the junior from Marietta, Georgia hit a 44-yard field goal. Both the punt and field goal where career-highs for Barron.
Colorado State's Nick Stevens threw for five touchdowns to lead the Rams to the victory. Stevens completed 20 of 28 passes for 289 yards. He had touchdown passes of 9, 12, 35, 4 and 12 yards.
SSU's offense got off to a sluggish start with consecutive bad snaps that led to a Rams touchdown.
Quarterback Tino Smith fumbled the first snap and recovered it at his own 15. Smith fumbled the next snap but it was recovered by Colorado State's Kevin Davis in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Rams added two more touchdowns and a field goal to take a 24-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
SSU was down 38-0 before they put together their first scoring drive in the second quarter.
With 6:55 on the clock and the ball at their own nine, the Tigers marched downfield behind the play of freshman quarterback David Handler who completed 3 of 5 pass attempts during the drive. The drive was capped off with a 63-yard touchdown run by junior running back Richard Williams. Barron added the extra point and SSU trailed 38-7 with 4:15 remaining before the half.
CSU added a touchdown with 1:48 left in the period to take a 45-7 halftime advantage.
Colorado State would expand their lead to 58-7 with 2:31 left in the third quarter.
SSU received the ensuing kickoff and would start at their own 45. They would march to the Rams 24 before stalling and having to settle for a 44 yard field goal by Barron with 12:55 left in the contest. A key play on the drive was a 24 yard run by Smith, when faced with a third and 13.
Barron's kick made the score 58-10.
A Colorado State fumble would turn into points for the Tigers as Barron booted a 28 yard field goal with 5:33 left in the final quarter. A key play on the scoring drive was a 32 yard pass play from Smith to Jeremiah Harris on a fourth and ten situation from the CSU 33.
The Rams added a late touchdown with two seconds left in the game.
Savannah State had a balanced attack with 100 passing yards and 83 yards on the ground.
SSU had five fumbles but only lost one while the Rams lost four of their five fumbles.
The Tigers also won the battle of possession, holding the ball for 36:456 while SSU had the ball for 23:15.
The SSU offensive line gave up seven sacks.
Williams had 73 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Tigers (0-1) while Smith completed 6 of 14 passes for 50 yards. Nicholas Carrera, Derek Kirkland and KerSean Wilson all had two receptions for SSU. Freshman Isiah Bennett led all defenders with a game-high 10 tackles. Freshman Salvador Vazquez had a interception for SSU.
Josh Watson led CSU (1-0) with nine tackles while Martivi Foster had three sacks. Jasen Oden ran for 74 yards and Rashard Higgins caught seven passes for 84 yards.
Colorado State rolled up 598 yards of offense with 381 coming through the air and 217 coming on the ground.
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