Yet it was Illinois State that planted four coolly efficient quarters of football and harvested a convincing 35-19 victory over the FBS Rams before a crowd of 26,259.
Ranked 15th nationally in FCS, the Redbirds outgained Colorado State in total offense, 538-391, while improving to 3-0. It was ISU's second win over an FBS program in three years and its third since 2012.
ISU bolstered a 14-6 halftime lead with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Brady Davis to tight end Tylor Petkovich on the opening drive of the second half.
Smith took a screen pass 60 yards for a touchdown with 9:25 remaining after the Rams had closed within 21-13.