Colorado State over GCU to Round Out Lopes' Tour

10.21.2024

Grand Canyon's two-game tour of Colorado wrapped up Sunday with a 24-15 loss to Colorado State.

As we outlined in the report on GCU's opening match, a 25-15 loss to Colorado, this is the first run-out for GCU with their D1A lineup and a good road test for them, wins or losses.

For Colorado State it was a good showing.

"Our defense was great today," said CSU Head Coach Jone Naqica. "We had a few goalline stands. GCU was relentless in their attack, punishing us on our mistakes. I am proud of the boys and can honestly say it was a team effort."

Assistant coach and former CSU player Joe Rusert-Cuddy agreed with Naqica on the defensive effort, calling it "dogged."

Grand Canyon, he added, "was a big physical side and our boys did well to win their contact battles throughout the game."

Vice captain Aiden Wilson led that defensive effort in the forward and worked hard throughout. Prop Thomas Leachman played the full 80 minutes and was a force on defense and in the scrum. Hooker Rylan Palmer had to deal with GCU's solid lineout defense and was noteworthy for his thumping tackles.

In the backs Harry Kelly, Arnaud Agasse, and Sam Materson all played well. Wing Jared Wade found a lot of work to do and then Eli Eagle came on off the bench late in the game and, said Rusert-Cuddy, "made a huge impact in cracking open the GCU defense."

Next up for GCU is new D1A team UTEP. Next up for Colorado State is the other team that played Grand Canyon, rivals the Colorado Buffaloes.