As it happened: Recap of live breakdown of CSU and Washington State football game

This is your in-game home for the start of the Colorado State football season.

The Rams open 2023 at home against Washington State.

More than 30,000 are expected at Canvas Stadium on a late summer afternoon.

Follow along for live updates throughout the game, which begins at 5 p.m. (MT) Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

Follow along for updates and insights from the game. Most recent updates at top.

Recapping the game

A look at how the loss went down for Colorado State

3 takeaways: Washington State football team dismantles Colorado State

Final

Washington State 50, Colorado State 24

The Cougars added an exclamation point TD in the final minute.

Dallin Holker touchdown

CSU tight end Dallin Holker with a sensational TD catch, making it 43-24 Washington State with 5:57 to go.

It's the first time CSU breaks the 20-point threshold in the Jay Norvell-era (Game 13). Two TDs for Fowler-Nicolosi.

CSU touchdown

Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who took over after Millen was banged up, throws a 75-yard TD to Justus Ross-Simmons.

It's 43-17 Washington State with 11:12 to go.

Another Washington State TD

Cameron Ward with another easy touchdown, this a 25-yard pass to a completely uncovered receiver.

It's 43-10 with 11:22 to go.

Kick return TD

Kobe Johnson with a 98-yard TD return after initially dropping the kick. An explosive play for the North Dakota State transfer to secure CSU's first TD of the season.

It's the first kick off return TD for CSU since 2019.

Washington State lead is 36-10 with 14:38 to go.

Another Washington State touchdown

Another TD for Cam Ward. He easily finds Nakia Watson open for a 12-yard, uncontested TD catch.

It's now 36-3 Washington State with 14:50 to go.

End third quarter

Washington State 29, Colorado State 3

Cougars have a 2nd and 8 from CSU's 12 to start the fourth.

Clay Millen shaken up

CSU's first deep pass attempt came late in the third quarter and Clay Millen was hit on the pass, causing it to fall short. He left the game shaken up after the hit.

Backup Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi entered. He completed two of his first three passes but then threw an interception.

Mohamed Kamara strip-sack

Not much to cheer about for CSU, but Mohamed Kamara records a strip-sack and CSU recovers via Cam Bariteau.

Rams ball at own 20, down 29-3 late in the third quarter.

Washington State pick-6

Bad-to-worse for Colorado State.

Clay Millen throws a ball into the flat and it's picked off and returned 37 yards for a touchdown by Jaden Hicks.

Washington State is now up 29-3 with 10:50 to go in the third quarter.

Mountain West commissioner on expansion

See what Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez told reporters about expansion and talks with Washington State and Oregon State.

More: Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez: ‘We’re open to anything that makes us stronger’

Washington State touchdown

This game might be over.

Washington State quickly down the field and scores a touchdown on its first series of the third quarter, capped by a John Mateer 3-yard run (who replaced Ward for a play).

Washington State went for 2 and failed. Cougars lead 23-3 with 11:18 left in the third quarter.

CSU quickly went 3-and-out to open the second half.

Considering CSU's offensive struggles, a 20-point deficit is one heck of a mountain.

Halftime

Washington State 17, Colorado State 3

Dean Janikowski hits a 56-yard field goal at the buzzer to put the Cougars up 14 at the intermission.

CSU has been out-gained 257-92 and is lucky it's just a two-touchdown game.

CSU makes goal line stop

Washington State drove down to CSU's 2 late in the half for a potential dagger score, but on a 4th and goal from the 2 the Cougars were stuffed on a run by Cam Bariteau and Henry Blackburn.

Rams ball at own 5 with 2:31 until half, trailing 14-3.

CSU's offense continues to struggle

Not much has changed from CSU's offense from last year in the earliest days of the 2023 season.

The Rams had a nice first drive but otherwise it's been nothing. Through five drives CSU has four first downs and 84 total yards. Fifty-five of those yards came on the first drive.

It needs to improve, and fast.

Cameron Ward leads another TD drive

The Washington State QB is carving up CSU's defense, getting timely runs and mixing in easy completions.

He threw a 3-yard TD pass to Kyle Williams put Washington State up 14-3 with 11:34 until halftime.

Ward is currently 11-16 for 111 yards passing and has 54 rush yards and a touchdown each way.

End 1st quarter

Washington State 7, Colorado State 3

Cougars have a 2nd and 6 from CSU's 30 to begin second quarter.

CSU forces turnover

Washington State was carving through CSU's defense again until Cam Ward fumbled and Tony Pierce, Jr. wrestled it away from him on the floor to give CSU a fumble recovery at its own 30.

Big play from the D, but the offense doesn't take advantage and goes 3-and-out.

Washington State touchdown

Cougars quickly respond to CSU's score by marching down the field, capped by a QB sneak from inside the 1 from Cameron Ward.

It was an efficient drive and Ward is causing problems with his movement.

Washington State lead is 7-3 with 7:35 to go in the first quarter.

Colorado State scores first

CSU takes a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard Jordan Noyes field goal with 9:27 to go in the first quarter.

The Rams allowed one first down then forced a stop on Washington State's first drive. CSU then quickly drove into the red zone, but stalled out (including a run play on 2nd and 15) before the field goal.

Justus Ross-Simmons had several strong runs after catch on the drive, notching 40 yards on 3 catches.

CSU wins toss, defers

CSU won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Washington State to receive opening kick.

Watch the game online to start

The game prior is running long on CBS Sports Network, so tune in to CBSSports.com/CBSSN or the CBS Sports app to watch the beginning of the game.

Is Washington State Mountain West bound?

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez spoke to reporters ahead of the Washington State-CSU game and wouldn't commit to a timeline or any certain additions, but admitted talks are ongoing with Washington State and Oregon State, the remaining two Pac-12 members.

“We’re open to anything that makes us stronger," Nevarez said.

Nevarez met with leadership from both Oregon State and Washington State recently, calling them get-to-know-you meetings.

“I think at this point we would best couch it as having just started a conversation," Nevarez said. "It was public that we went to visit both campuses and we just talked about who we are and how we’re built and mission, core values and how we’re structured."

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez on campus

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez is on a multiday campus visit at Colorado State this week and will attend Saturday's game.

It just so happens Washington State is a prime candidate to join the MW after the near collapse of the Pac-12 has left Washington State and Oregon State as the only remaining members.

4 keys for the Colorado State football team

What will it take for CSU to take down the Washington State football team?

A look at the most important parts of this showdown:

Keys to the game: What Colorado State football must do to upset Washington State

Tory Horton, Colorado State's loyal star

Tory Horton could be playing in the SEC. He could have run for a barrel full of cash from illicit recruiting in the offseason.

He didn't do that. He stayed loyal, following a pledge he made to Jay Norvell.

Here's the story of Horton and the family who molded him:

CSU's loyal star: Tory Horton's bond with Jay Norvell transcends promised riches, fame

Nearly 100 new players

CSU football coach Jay Norvell knew the program he inherited needed a big change. How significant? Before Game 1 of Year 2 nearly 100 players on the roster have been turned over, with almost the full roster brought in by Norvell and staff.

How and why it happened:

Full rebuild: Jay Norvell has turned over almost the full CSU football roster as Year 2 begins

What will Colorado State's 2023 record be?

Reporter Kevin Lytle has been on scene throughout spring ball and preseason camp. What are the predictions for the 2023 season?

A look at the bold (and not so bold) picks for the season:

More: Bold predictions for Colorado State football's 2023 season: Wins, standouts, bowl game?

How to watch Washington State football at Colorado State

For those not at the game, here's a breakdown on how to watch and listen to the game:

More: What to know about Washington State football vs. Colorado State: How to watch, betting odds and more

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Live updates: Washington State football team plays at Colorado State