What Is 2007 Colorado State Rams football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–6 record under head coach Mike Stoops. They played their home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Key Facts

The 2007 Colorado State Rams finished the season with a 7–6 overall record
Head coach Mike Stoops led the team for the final time before departing for Arizona
They played in the Mountain West Conference and finished 4–4 in conference play
The Rams defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies in the 2008 New Mexico Bowl, 45–42
Quarterback Tyler Palko threw for 2,122 yards and 14 touchdowns during the season

Overview

The 2007 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), the Rams were led by head coach Mike Stoops, who departed after the season to become the head coach at the University of Arizona.

The team played its home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado. Despite a mid-season coaching change, the Rams showed resilience, finishing with a winning record and earning a bowl berth for the first time since 2005.

Record: The Rams finished the season with a 7–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in Mountain West Conference play, placing fifth in the conference standings.
Bowl appearance: Colorado State participated in the 2008 New Mexico Bowl, defeating the Northern Illinois Huskies 45–42 in a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest.
Head coach: Mike Stoops served as head coach for the entire season but left immediately after the bowl game to take over the Arizona Wildcats program.
Quarterback performance: Senior Tyler Palko led the offense, throwing for 2,122 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over 12 games.
Defensive struggles: The Rams allowed an average of 33.5 points per game, one of the highest in the conference, highlighting issues on the defensive side of the ball.

Season Performance

The 2007 season was marked by inconsistency, with the Rams alternating wins and losses through much of the year. Despite early optimism, Colorado State struggled to maintain momentum, particularly in conference matchups.

Opening game: The Rams opened the season with a 27–24 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes, setting a defensive tone that persisted throughout the year.
Conference record: Their 4–4 conference record included notable wins over UNLV and Air Force, but losses to rivals Wyoming and TCU.
Key victory: A 31–28 win over Air Force in October kept bowl hopes alive and showcased the team’s offensive potential.
Turnover issues: The Rams committed 23 turnovers during the season, including 14 interceptions thrown by quarterbacks.
Running game: Running back Gartrell Johnson Jr. emerged late in the season, rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the New Mexico Bowl.
Special teams: Kicker Jared Roberts, a freshman, made 14 of 18 field goal attempts, providing a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2007 Colorado State Rams compared to other Mountain West teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points For	Points Against
BYU	10–3	6–2	386	227
TCU	9–4	6–2	351	189
Utah	9–4	5–3	327	167
Colorado State	7–6	4–4	312	402
Wyoming	6–7	3–5	232	275

The Rams ranked near the bottom of the conference in defensive performance, allowing 402 total points—the most in the MWC. While their offense showed flashes, particularly in the bowl game, the lack of defensive consistency limited their ceiling. Compared to top teams like BYU and Utah, Colorado State lacked the depth and discipline to compete for a conference title.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season was a transitional year for Colorado State football, marking the end of the Mike Stoops era and the beginning of a rebuilding phase under new leadership. It highlighted both the potential and the challenges facing the program as it sought to become competitive in the Mountain West.

Coaching change: Mike Stoops' departure to Arizona created an opportunity for new leadership, eventually leading to the hiring of Steve Fairchild in 2008.
Bowl eligibility: The 7–6 record and bowl victory were significant, as it ended a two-year bowl drought for the Rams.
Player development: Gartrell Johnson Jr.'s performance in the New Mexico Bowl signaled the emergence of a future offensive leader.
Recruiting impact: A winning season and bowl appearance helped stabilize recruiting efforts amid coaching uncertainty.
Program momentum: The season demonstrated that Colorado State could compete in high-scoring games, even if defense remained a concern.
Historical context: It was one of only two winning seasons for the Rams between 2003 and 2012, making it a minor milestone.

The 2007 Colorado State Rams season, while not dominant, provided a foundation for future growth. It underscored the importance of defensive improvement and stable leadership, lessons that would shape the program in the years to come.