CSU FOOTBALL

Notes: CSU vs. Boston College to kick off at 10:30 a.m.

Matt L. Stephens
matthewstephens@coloradoan.com

CSU football fans will need to wake up early to catch the Rams' game at Boston College on Sept. 27.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has announced the game will have a kick off time of 10:30 a.m. and will be aired on the Regional Sports Network. The ACC lists the local RSN affiliate as ROOT Sports Rocky Mountain, and the network does have a 10 a.m. college football time slot open Sept. 27.

It will be the second time in history Colorado State University has played Boston College with the Eagles winning the previous meeting, 35-21, in the 2003 San Francisco Bowl. Boston College is 2-1 this season and is fresh off a 37-31 upset over No. 9 USC. The Eagles' other victory was over Massachusetts, 30-7, and they lost to Pittsburgh at home, 30-20. Boston College hosts Maine this week.

CSU (2-1, 0-1 MW) has a bye this week and is hoping to have starting tight end Kivon Cartwright and left tackle Ty Sambrailo healthy in time for the trip to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

Injury updates — CSU offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin said Monday, Sept. 15, that he expects Sambrailo to return to practice this week. He did add that the senior offensive lineman wouldn't be in full pads, but would give the team a chance to evaluate his progress, hoping he can make a return for the game at Boston College.

Hunt rocks the punts — After three weeks of the season, CSU punter Hayden Hunt ranks third in the nation with an average of 49.55 yards per kick — which is the best mark in the Mountain West.

The two players ahead of him are Trevor Pardula of Kansas (49.58) and Utah's Tom Hackett (51.1). Hunt's average last season was 41.93 yards.

McElwain has procedure — CSU players aren't the only ones trying to rest and get healthy during the bye week, CSU football coach Jim McElwain is doing the same.

McElwain missed his weekly press conference Monday to undergo a minor hip procedure to fix lingering pain he was dealing with. He's expected to be back coaching the Rams at practice Tuesday, Sept. 16. CSU players had Monday off.

Speaking to the media in his place was assistant head coach Tim Skipper and Baldwin.

Follow sports columnist Matt L. Stephens at twitter.com/mattstephens and facebook.com/stephensreporting.