What Is 2009 Colorado State Rams football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 6–7 record under head coach Steve Fairchild. They played in the Mountain West Conference and lost the New Mexico Bowl to Temple 30–14.

Key Facts

The 2009 Colorado State Rams finished the season with a 6–7 overall record
Head coach Steve Fairchild was in his second season leading the program
They played their home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins
The Rams went 3–5 in Mountain West Conference play during the 2009 season
They lost the 2009 New Mexico Bowl to Temple Owls 30–14 on December 24, 2009

Overview

The 2009 Colorado State Rams football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as members of the Mountain West Conference. Led by second-year head coach Steve Fairchild, the team aimed to build on their 2008 campaign but faced challenges due to defensive struggles and inconsistent offensive execution.

Despite early optimism, the Rams experienced a mid-season slump, winning just three conference games. However, they secured a bowl berth by defeating New Mexico in their regular-season finale, becoming eligible with a 6–6 record before falling in the postseason.

Record: The Rams finished the 2009 season with a 6–7 overall record, including a 3–5 mark in Mountain West Conference play.
Head Coach: Steve Fairchild entered his second year as head coach, striving to stabilize a program transitioning from previous losing seasons.
Home Stadium: The team played home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium, a venue with a capacity of approximately 32,500 in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Bowl Appearance: Colorado State qualified for the New Mexico Bowl, their first bowl game since 2008, marking a modest step forward for the program.
Key Player: Quarterback Grant Stucker started most games, throwing for 1,717 yards and 10 touchdowns, though with 14 interceptions.

Season Performance

The 2009 campaign was defined by narrow losses and defensive vulnerabilities, with the Rams allowing an average of 27.8 points per game. While the offense showed flashes of potential, consistency was lacking, particularly in conference matchups against teams like TCU and BYU.

Defensive Struggles: The Rams allowed over 400 yards per game, ranking near the bottom of the FBS in total defense with 423.1 yards allowed per game.
Offensive Output: Colorado State averaged 22.3 points per game, with running back Chris Nwoke contributing 558 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Non-Conference Play: The Rams opened with a win over Colorado but lost to ranked opponents like Alabama and Oklahoma State.
Conference Record: Their 3–5 conference record placed them sixth in the eight-team Mountain West, ahead of only UNLV and New Mexico.
Key Victory: A 42–24 win over New Mexico in late November secured their bowl eligibility and boosted morale.
Bowl Game: In the New Mexico Bowl on December 24, 2009, Temple defeated Colorado State 30–14, with the Rams failing to score in the second half.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2009 Rams compared to other Mountain West teams and their own 2008 performance:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points For	Points Against
TCU	12–1	7–0	36.5	13.8
BYU	11–2	7–1	36.8	17.9
Utah	10–3	6–2	35.0	17.5
Colorado State	6–7	3–5	22.3	27.8
New Mexico	4–8	2–6	20.7	31.1

The table illustrates Colorado State’s mid-tier standing in the conference. While they outperformed bottom-feeders like New Mexico, they lagged far behind powerhouses like TCU and BYU in both scoring and defense. The 2009 season highlighted the program’s ongoing rebuilding phase, with modest improvements but clear gaps in competitiveness.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was a transitional year for Colorado State football, reflecting both incremental progress and persistent challenges. While reaching a bowl game was a positive, the lopsided loss underscored the need for defensive overhaul and quarterback development.

Program Momentum: Making a bowl game provided a morale boost, helping recruit confidence despite the losing record.
Coaching Evaluation: Steve Fairchild’s tenure remained under scrutiny, with pressure mounting after two sub-.500 seasons.
Recruiting Impact: Limited success on the field made it harder to attract top-tier talent from Colorado and beyond.
Stadium Legacy: Hughes Stadium hosted its final full season in 2009 before the team moved to a new stadium in 2017.
Fan Engagement: Attendance averaged around 28,000 per game, reflecting moderate local support despite on-field struggles.
Historical Context: The 2009 season was part of a decade-long stretch where the Rams struggled to achieve consistent winning records.

Ultimately, the 2009 Colorado State Rams season serves as a snapshot of a program in transition—showing signs of life but still far from contention in the competitive Mountain West Conference.