MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Cecil Sapp is healthy, and Colorado State
couldn't be happier.
Sapp could barely put any weight on his left foot at the end of
the season, but time has helped heal his turf toe. With a sore
foot, he ran for 157 yards in the regular-season finale, setting a
school record with 1,495 yards this season.
Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick said Sapp is 100 percent and
will play when the 23rd-ranked Rams (10-3) play TCU (9-2) in the
Liberty Bowl.
"This is his last game for Colorado State," Lubick said.
"He'll play hard and play well."
Lubick believes the game will come down to how well Sapp and the
Rams handle one of the country's stingiest defenses. The Horned
Frogs lead the nation in rushing defense and rank second in total
defense. They've allowed opponents an average of 62.6 yards rushing
and just 249.45 yards overall per game.
"For us to be effective at all, . . . we have to get some
semblance of a running game going. That's going to be a critical
factor," Lubick said.
Linebacker LaMarcus McDonald leads the TCU defense. The
Conference USA defensive player of the year was third in the nation
with two tackles for loss per game, and was second in his league
with 10 sacks.
At least the Rams have the luxury of familiarity with their
third trip in four years to the Liberty Bowl, sponsored by AXA.
The Rams beat Louisville here in 2000, one season after losing
to Southern Mississippi. In 2001, they played in the New Orleans
Bowl.
Lubick is concerned the familiarity might contribute to his team
taking things for granted.
Sapp has run well in games in Memphis, carrying 36 times for 160
yards in 2000.
"Against a good defense like this, he has been known to take
that ball and gain the hard yards," Lubick said.
The Rams, champions of the Mountain West Conference, have won
when Sapp wasn't at his best. They beat New Mexico when Sapp was
unable to start and gained just 36 yards on 14 carries.
Sapp has eight 100-yard rushing games this season, ranking 20th
nationally, and has been responsible for nearly 25 percent of the
Rams' first downs.
TCU coach Gary Patterson is confident his defense can handle
Sapp.
"We've played some pretty good running backs," he said.
The Horned Frogs, playing in a bowl game for the fifth straight
season, have lost their last two bowl appearances.
Patterson believes Colorado State is the best team his squad has
played over the past two seasons.
"We've come here not just to be part of it but to win it, and
we understand we have quite a challenge," Patterson said.
A victory over Colorado State would be TCU's 500th win.
TCU will counter with tailback Lonta Hobbs, the Conference USA
freshman of the year who needs just 48 yards to become the first
freshman in school history to top 1,000 yards. Hobbs has 12
touchdowns this year.
Quarterback Sean Stilley is back in the lineup after missing
three games with an injury to his throwing shoulder. He comes in
with five TDs and 10 interceptions.
Patterson is not concerned.
"This is his last ball game. He's right now healthier than he
was a month ago. He's probably at full strength right now,"
Patterson said.