As if the Rams needed any more bad news after losing their fourth straight game this Saturday versus TCU, today they learned they will be without one of their best players in safety Klint Kubiak for the entire second half of the season.
Kubiak, whose torn pectoral muscle was repaired with surgery last week, was given an eight to 10 week recovery timetable meaning sadly, CSU will be without their defensive leader for crucial stretch contests. Kubiak commented on the border war with Wyoming saying, “It's just heartbreaking news, being my senior season. Running out of that tunnel on Senior Day against Wyoming would have been great being in full pads, but it didn't work out for me."
Although sad, this is nothing new for the fifth-year senior, as he missed most of the 2007 season with an ulcer, and almost half of 2008 with a knee injury—Kubiak has only played 15 games since the ’07 season started. But the worst part is Kubiak is special when he is on the field.
Kubiak was leading CSU in tackles with 48 after six games, when he went down, seemingly always flying around the field and making plays. While Elijah-Blu Smith may receive more notoriety due to his three interceptions and big hits, Kubiak has literally been the safety valve, making touchdown-saving tackles that keep the Rams in games. Kubiak also excels in the run-stopping game, and his presence was already missed last week as CSU gave up 278 yards on the ground to TCU.
Head coach Steve Fairchild commented on ho much Kubiak will be missed, "I've said all along that we are a much better defense when Klint is in there, but he has been hurt in the past and we have had to go on. It is a part of the game, so we just have to look for somebody else to step up and play."
But, there is still hope for the senior safety, as he could possibly return to the team if the Rams were to make a bowl game. All CSU has to do for that to happen is win three of their final five games, and if they didn’t already want a bowl game enough, Kubiak’s injury is sure to give the Rams even more inspiration to finish the season strong. And even if CSU doesn’t make a bowl game in 2009, it will definitely not be Kubiak’s last football experience as he plans on going into coaching if he isn’t picked up by a pro team.
So, the Rams have been kicked when they’re down, losing Kubiak (and possibly leading rusher Leonard Mason) while losing four straight games, but it is up to them whether or not they buck back.
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