LAS VEGAS — First there was shock, then confusion. But in the two weeks since Colorado State saw Coach Jim McElwain leave for Florida, it has found a way to move on.

With an early bowl game on the calendar, the Rams didn’t have much time to dwell on the change.

Saturday’s Las Vegas Bowl against No. 23 Utah is a chance for Colorado State to win 11 games for only the second time in school history and also to defeat a ranked team from a major conference – something it didn’t do in the regular season.

“We know that people across the country are doubting us because we don’t necessarily play in the toughest conference,” quarterback Garrett Grayson said. “We take it as a challenge to prove people wrong.”

The Rams (10-2) fell into rebound mode early this month when McElwain left for Florida. Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin was named interim coach and handed the task of preparing his stunned players for their second bowl game in six seasons.

“When the circus ended – and it was a circus with all the hoopla and all the cameras – our kids were so classy about it,” Baldwin said. “They didn’t get caught up in the tweets or Facebook. They wished him good luck, they understood that it happened, then we went out and practiced. They’ve learned to handle distractions.”

The Rams will face a Utah team that has won 10 of its past 11 bowl games and has an impressive resume this season, defeating UCLA, USC and Stanford on its way to an 8-4 record.

FLORIDA: Quarterback Treon Harris faces a misdemeanor charge for operating a vehicle without a license. University police filed a citation Tuesday. According to court records, Harris has never had a license.

MISSOURI: Wide receiver Jimmie Hunt will undergo surgery for a left shoulder injury and miss the Citrus Bowl.


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