Cait Mckinzie
Colorado State University running back Lloyd Avant (25) pushes through Washington State University's defense Sept. 27. CSU lost its State Pride game 20-3.
Seven more games. Seven more chances.
Since week one, Colorado State football has adjusted its approach every game, yet nothing seems to stick. There were brief flashes of hope, like when Jackson Brousseau came in against UTSA and scored touchdowns on both of his drives, or when Matt Mumme stepped up as play caller.
But these flashes were never sustained.
“You (have) got to compete, and you (have) got to focus on improving — that’s it. There’s no magic pill (for) playing better. … We’ve all been in football a long time. We’ve been through tough stretches, and there’s no magic to getting out of a tough stretch. It’s just effort and not making mistakes,” –Jay Norvell, CSU football head coach
Heading into conference play, the Rams were given a clean slate. Going into their Friday night fare, CSU sought a turning point against San Diego State — then came a 21-point loss.
“Where I think we struggled was the physicality of the game (and) holding up, and especially in the run game,” head coach Jay Norvell said. “And we (have) got to find ways to do that with the guys that we (have) planned right now.”
It wasn’t their worst performance, as they didn’t allow SDSU to seize any turnovers and had only one penalty, but they still weren’t playing at the caliber demanded that far into the season.
Norvell noted after Friday’s game that the program needed to take a step back and evaluate why nothing seems to be working, so what has that looked like?
“We’re trying to do the things that will allow them to have success, and we’re going to continue to simplify so they can be confident,” Norvell said. “Those are things that come incrementally, and we should continue to improve and get better.”
To Norvell, that improvement will translate to success. Yet it’s difficult to build that team chemistry when the team is constantly changing.
Going into week six, the Rams adjusted after losing 10 main players due to injury; in fact, only two of the six original captains for the team saw field time against the Aztecs. Injuries have taken starters out of all areas of the field, leaving space for players to step up; however, several are missing that “explosive” factor.
“We really need disruption,” Norvell said. “We don’t have a whole ton of explosive playmakers. We got a lot of good football players, but we got to make up (for) that (by) getting a turnover, getting a punt return, getting a sack. And we haven’t been able to generate much pass rush, so that’s something that we (have) got to keep working to try to do.”
And the Rams’ lack of disruption was apparent against SDSU. They were unable to force a turnover, had zero punt returns and zero sacks — four fewer sacks than the Aztecs. So as CSU works to perfect the fundamentals, a big emphasis is on the defense.
As of Tuesday, 14 players could not practice, four of whom are on the defensive line.
“I just think we have to be realistic in what we’re actually playing with and what we have, and we’re different than we were a month ago,” Norvell said. “And I think we could be more different if we had a little good fortune in a couple of these games.”
With the House v. NCAA settlement finalizing, this is Norvell’s first year dealing with a shortened roster, and now it’s stretched even thinner with injuries, emphasizing the importance of next man up. But as the roster shifts, leaders emerge.
And there’s one 19-year-old leader in particular who not only has the hearts of Ram fans, but also Norvell.
“I really (have) got to give it to Owen Long,” Norvell said. “Owen Long is a kid who I felt like was probably the most natural new leader on our team. And he’s very young, but he has all the qualities that we’re looking for.”
During the offseason, Long worked to become one of the best leaders on the field, putting on 35 pounds, and it’s paid off. He is leading the nation in tackles, practically increasing his count with each game, tallying 16 against the Aztecs.
Jalen Dupree was another leader who stepped up for the Rams Friday night.
Dupree had a standout game for the offense, racking up 103 out of CSU’s 149 rushing yards. But the Rams’ 2025 motto isn’t “Me Before We;” it’s “We Before Me.” Even when players like Long and Dupree have great games, they’re either winning as a team or losing as a team.
Right now? CSU is on a losing streak.
“You (have) got to compete, and you (have) got to focus on improving — that’s it,” Norvell said. “There’s no magic pill (for) playing better. … We’ve all been in football a long time. We’ve been through tough stretches, and there’s no magic to getting out of a tough stretch. It’s just effort and not making mistakes.”
The Rams now have their sights set on Friday’s game against Fresno State (2-0, 5-1) in another home game. The Bulldogs are on a hot win streak and were projected to finish fifth in the Mountain West, but currently sit at first in the conference.
CSU has its hands full with a strong FSU defense, ranking No. 38 for stop rate on ESPN, with the Rams falling to No. 116.
There’s little room for error with a bowl game in question as CSU falls further down the rankings, yet the Rams look to find success as their final season in the MW unravels.
“I think we’ve got a bunch of guys in that locker room that are not finger-pointers and that are continuing to work with real attitude,” Norvell said. “And that’s what gives me confidence that we’re going to improve and get better, and that’s the way we’ve always been as a staff.”
Reach Sophie Webb at sports@collegian.com or on social media @sophgwebb.
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