Matt L. Stephens

matthewstephens@coloradoan.com

THREE STORYLINES TO WATCH IN 2016

Can Stevens keep his job?

CSU sophomore quarterback Nick Stevens completed his first season as a starter by completing 60.8 percent of his passes for 2,679 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, earning him second-team All-Mountain West honors. Still, he’s been the subject of constant criticism after replacing Garrett Grayson, probably the best quarterback in program history, and it would appear CSU coach Mike Bobo, who said Stevens graded out well in his first season as a starter, might not be sold on keeping the same guy under center.

The Rams added graduate transfer Faton Bauta from Georgia this offseason to compete for the starting job. Bauta played and started in one game last season for the Bulldogs, completing 15 of 33 pass attempts for 154 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions in a 27-3 loss to rival Florida.

Farewell to Hughes

After 48 seasons, it’s time to say goodbye. CSU is scheduled to play its final season at the off-campus Hughes Stadium in 2016, a place the Rams have called home since 1968. What CSU plans to do to honor the venue this year remains unknown, but whichever side of the stadium debate you stand on, it will be worth attending a few games and sending Hughes out in style.

An inexperienced defense

CSU cycled plenty of younger players on and off the field last season in Tyson Summers' 4-3 defense; however, the majority of guys who played were seniors. The Rams lost eight of their defensive starters and one second-stringer (Nick Januska) to graduation. The only starters they have returning on defense are linebackers Kiel Robinson and Kevin Davis, along with two cornerbacks with starting experience, Preston Hodges and Tyree Simmons. With a likely return to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Marty English, there are likely to be some growing pains when tossing so many new starters into the mix.

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2016

Xavier Williams, WR:

The heir apparent to Rashard Higgins, Williams has shown soft hands and a knack for coming away with 50-50 balls. At the same time, he can drop some pretty routine passes. With Higgins announcing Wednesday that he's turning pro, the Rams are in need of a go-to receiver, with the loss of Joe Hansley and tight ends Steven Walker and Kivon Cartwright.

Izzy Matthews, RB: He had one of the best seasons by a freshman in school history, rushing for 590 yards and five touchdowns in relief of Dalyn Dawkins and Jasen Oden. He’s likely to become the featured back as a sophomore, the role Dawkins played most of 2015, with the two of them becoming a dangerous tandem.

Justin Sweet, DB: Cornerback by trade, Justin Sweet started to settle in nicely at safety late in the season, recording five of his six tackles during the final two games of the season, filling in at nickelback and safety. Six tackles aren’t a lot, but Sweet is a player whose progress Bobo has praised, and with two starting safety jobs up for grabs, the 5-foot-10 redshirt junior out of Las Vegas will be a leading candidate.

TEAM GRADES

Overall B

Bobo’s first season didn’t fall short of or exceed expectations after he took over a program that won 10 games in 2014. He became the first coach in CSU history to win seven regular-season games in his first year.

Offense B+

Eliminate the games against Minnesota and Boise State and this grade could have made its way into A-minus territory. With a first-year starter at quarterback and not knowing what they were getting from their running backs, the Rams exceeded expectations, ranking 33rd (199.3 yards per game) in rushing offense (and 61st in passing (228.1).

Defense B-

CSU ranked 55th in the country and sixth in the Mountain West in total defense, allowing 390.9 yards per game. Bringing in a first-year defensive coordinator who did wonders at Central Florida, we expected a veteran group to give up fewer big plays and create more turnovers. Where CSU did make its mark, defensively, was holding opponents to a third-down conversion rate of 34.5 percent.

Special teams B-

CSU did an excellent job in the kick and punt return games this season, as was showcased in the regular-season finale at Fresno State; by recording three special teams touchdowns; and with the Rams' punter being a Ray Guy Award finalist. However, kick coverage wasn’t a strong suit, with 15 kickoff returns allowed to go for 30 or more yards. CSU also connected on only 69.6 percent of its field-goal attempts and missed three extra points.

2015 MVPs

Offense: Rashard Higgins

Even when his numbers are down, he’s still Rashard Higgins, the best wide receiver in the West. He finished his junior season with 75 catches for 1,062 yards and eight touchdowns.

Defense: Kevin Davis

The junior linebacker showed in full force what he had displayed glimpses of earlier in his career, leading CSU with 101 tackles and 14 tackles for loss in addition to recording three sacks and an interception.

For insight and analysis on athletics around Northern Colorado and the Mountain West, follow sports columnist Matt L. Stephens at twitter.com/mattstephens and facebook.com/stephensreporting.