Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Fall Camp Notebook: Day 3
8/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Colorado State football team was back on the field on Sunday afternoon, but practice No. 3 included shoulder pads for the first time, which added to the physicality Head Coach Mike Bobo has been looking for.
“Both coordinators had meetings with their teams and told them, ‘Hey we’ve got on shells, let’s go play some real-man football.’ There’s striking, there’s hitting,” Bobo said. “We’ve been preaching physicality, physicality, physicality since we got here, and we’re starting to get there.”
While there were some adjustments needed with the pads – Bobo admitted that practice ran a little slower at times – he once again liked the energy his team possessed.
“The juices were flowing,” Bobo said. “It was good to see the defense come out and strike. That was a big change from the spring.”
On Saturday, Bobo stated that he believed the defense had found its identity. A key part to that is senior defensive back DeAndre Elliott, who recorded 30 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions in 2014.
“I’ve been really impressed with DeAndre Elliott,” Bobo said. “He’s got to shore up some fundamental things, but as far as length and ball skills, it’s hard to throw one over him, back-shoulder him. He’s an excellent defender.”
Bobo also spoke highly about senior defensive lineman Martavius Foster and his ability to pass rush, adding that Elliott and Foster give the team not only life on the defensive side of the ball, but depth. Also on defense, Bobo talked about his decision to practice senior Cory James at middle linebacker.
“If you’re going to be a good football team, you have to be good up the middle,” he said. “Offense, it starts with center, quarterback, running back. On defense, it’s linebackers and safeties. Cory is one of our better players, and we want to put him there where he can make plays.”
On the offensive side of the ball, the quarterback battle continues, with redshirt freshman Coleman Key having his best practice of the fall.
“Coleman probably had his best day today,” Bobo said. “He struggled a little bit the first two days, but did a nice job today. As we get into more team situations and start to scrimmage more it’ll be interesting to see.”
Bobo, though, wasn’t ready to name a starter after just three days, saying he’ll have a better idea after Saturday’s scrimmage.
“Nick’s a little bit ahead right now. He’s done a nice job with the offense – getting us in and out of plays, tempo, completing balls. Coleman’s going to have some opportunities with the No. 1s. He had a better day today and he deserves the opportunity. I’m not ready to anoint No. 7 (Stevens) as the guy, but we’ll see as we go along.”
The team will be back on the field Monday for the fourth practice of fall training camp. Earlier in the day, CSU will host its Media Day, which can be streamed for free through the Mountain West Network. Bobo will begin the press conference, followed by offensive coordinator Will Friend, defensive coordinator Tyson Summers and select student-athletes.
More quotes from Bobo:
(on the freshmen adjusting to college football)
“I think they understand what we want. We have good leadership and good seniors, and the other guys understand, having gone through it through spring practice. They’re not allowing them not to practice at the pace and tempo that we want. They’re lost a little bit, but it’s a little bit easier to get acclimated now that school’s over and they’ve finished their last final. They’re loving life right now; it’s just football. The tough part will be when school starts and they’ve got responsibilities. That usually wears on freshmen a little bit.”
(on what he’s been able to see from his players in person versus simply on film)
“You learn more when you get out here and see how they respond to coaching. There’s different styles, different terminology. How fast do they learn? If we make a change in the middle of a drill can you adjust?”
(on freshmen quarterback J.C. Robles)
“J.C. is very smart, very knowledgeable. He understands it in the meeting room, understands it in the walk through when it’s a slower pace. When we get out here and start putting bodies in front of him and going fast, he’s lost and struggling a bit, but I’m really encouraged by him. The other guys are doing a nice job of helping him; all the guys in the room do a nice job of helping each other. We all have one common goal. J.C. is going to be a good player for us.”
Fun at Media Days: CSU student-athletes Rashard Higgins and Trent Matthews spent time in late July at the Mountain West Football Media Days in Las Vegas. During the event, the student-athletes, in addition to Bobo, spent nearly eight hours conducting print, radio and television interviews, including a live show for the Mountain West Network, which can be viewed below.
In addition to the interviews, the student-athletes also had some fun in the MW Social Media Room. Fans can enjoy the players’ dance moves, watch Matthews’ impersonation of Bobo, see them have fun using Dubsmash and view them playing a game of likes/dislikes. The night before, student-athletes from the Mountain Division went bowling, an event in which Matthews won.
