SAN ANTONIO — That wasn’t the defense Colorado State had come to expect.

The Rams entered the game allowing just 129.3 yards rushing per game, but almost allowed that much by the end of the first quarter Saturday. But the end of the game, UTSA had gashed the CSU defense for nearly 300 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to Jarveon Williams, who closed his night with 170 yards on the ground.

After not allowing a point in the first quarter all year, the Rams gave up a long scoring drive to UTSA to open the contest, as the Roadrunners went 78 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead. Heck, to this point, the Rams hadn’t given up a first down on an opening drive.

“We’re a little shocked,” said linebacker Kiel Robinson. “The coach told us it was probably one of the best offenses we’ve seen so far. I mean, we should have played a little better, but I’m happy we came out on top. We’ll bounce back next week with a better defensive performance next week.”

All that changed Saturday. The Rams missed assignments, they missed tackles and they allowed the Roadrunners to continue drives by converting half of their third-down tries. Even good plays turned bad at times, as Martavius Foster chased down UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz for a sack that would have killed a drive, only it came with a face mask flag. That set up a 13-yard scoring run on the next play.

UTSA running back Jarveon Williams rushed for 170 yards in the game, half of it on an 85-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter to tighten the game. Quarterback Bogenschutz and backup Dalton Strom added 80 on the ground.

The lone bright spot came a drive prior, when Bogenschutz scrambled out of trouble, then threw an ill-advised pass that DeAndre Elliott picked off. It was Elliott’s second interception of the season, but he’s the only Ram with a pick.

“I have to give it to the D-line and the linebackers,” Elliott said. “They had the quarterback going crazy and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

The next two drives produced UTSA touchdowns, but the Rams’ defense did a get a stop late, leaving just 5:28 on the clock, time the CSU offense was able to run off.

That, to coach Mike Bobo, was clutch, even if the rest was a bit out of character.

“They do a nice job with that speed package and the power, and then they played that other quarterback a little bit more,” he said. “They hit two long runs. Some runs are going to pop in those situations. We have to do a better job of getting the guys on the ground and not letting a run get out for 70-plus yards. I thought our guys played hard. I’ll have to go back and look at the tape for every little thing, but when it mattered, they did a nice job of bowing their neck and getting the stop.”

The defense did score, too, forcing a holding call in the end zone in the first quarter, leading to a safety and a brief 9-7 lead.

A Champine toast — Rashard Higgins moved up to third on the career lists for both receptions (now with 184) and yardage (2,899). In receptions, he is tied for the spot with Jeff Champine, who played for the Rams from 1980-83, but his yardage passed Champine.

Higgins has a chance this year to reach the top spot in both categories, already holding the school’s career record for touchdown catches with 25. The only ones left in front of Higgins in both categories are Greg Primus (194-3,263, 1989-92) and David Anderson, currently holding both marks (223-3,634, 2002-05).

By the numbers — For the first time this season, Colorado State had to deal with a travel roster. The Rams brought 70 players for Saturday’s game. When they begin Mountain West play next week, conference rules will only allow for 68 players on the roster. That’s an increase of four players from the year prior.

Here and there — CSU’s four captains were all Texas products: Kevin O’Brien, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Rashard Higgins and Trent Matthews. Matthews, from the San Antonio area, had played in the Alamodome prior. … Starting guard Zack Golditch wore No. 56 in the game, not his normal 61. … Xavier Williams has a catch in all 17 games he’s played. He continued the streak with a 34-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. … Elliott collected his second interception of the season, the seventh of his career.

Mike Brohard: 970-635-3633, mbrohard@reporter-herald.com or twitter.com/mbrohard