Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Fall Camp Notebook: Day 7
8/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Fresh off of two practices Tuesday, the Rams were back on the field again Wednesday morning for their eighth practice of fall camp and final before Thursday’s scrimmage at Sonny Lubick Field at Hugh Stadium.
Following practice, head coach Mike Bobo, offensive coordinator Will Friend, defensive coordinator Marty English and a handful of players met with the media, as part of CSU’s local media day. The group touched on a variety of subjects, including the first week of training camp, position battles and season expectations.
"We finished our eighth practice this morning. It’s been a good camp," Bobo said. "I feel like we’ve gotten better every day, except for possibly one but when you go back and watch the film there were guys that got better, and that’s the main focus right now: continuing to improve and continuing to work on our craft to get better at the little things and the fundamentals and attention to detail that are so crucial. When you get tired and fatigued you go back to your fundamentals."
All-America punter Hayden Hunt, a 2015 finalist for the Ray Guy Award, stole the show with his humor.
“It’s another opportunity to contribute to the team,” Hunt said about adding holder to his daily duties. “I’m going to keep pushing myself to be the best holder in the country, like Peter Martel, who won that award last year, the self-proclaimed ‘Holder of the Year’ award. That might be a bigger award than the Ray Guy.”
But can he throw, as well?
“Oh I can throw. If Coach wants me to throw. I think I’m 16th on the depth chart for quarterback at this point. Big competition for quarterback, so I might be in there.”
Head Coach Mike Bobo: "If we want to be a consistent winner, you've got to build depth and you've got to do that through recruiting and developing those players that you recruit. I felt like we signed a good class last year. Not just quantity of players, but quality. Obviously some guys that we signed on signing day are not here, but the guys that are here, I feel believe have improved this football team with athletic ability and skill set. That will add to the depth we need."
Offensive Coordinator Will Friend: “The one thing that we’ve done pretty well so far in this camp is I think we’ve grown up a bunch. I think we’re a lot more mature than we were a year ago at this time, being able to handle things and push through things. They’ve got to be the strength of the team. They’re not necessarily the guys that win the game, but they give guys chances to win games.”
Defensive Coordinator Marty English: “I think a lot of it came back, especially through the spring and summer. I see quickness and speed, and they’re starting to get reacquainted with the 3-4. I’ve seen several players step up, guys like Kevin Davis and Deshon Mayes. And then Evan Colorito has always been a leader in the meeting room.”
P Hayden Hunt: “I’m a very prideful person. If I have a good day, I know I have to push myself even more to improve my numbers and get the team more wins and get us to bowl games and Mountain West championships. Good punts result in wins, and that’s what we need.”
LB Kevin Davis: "We want to be the hardest working and most disciplined group on the field."
LB Kevin Davis: “Our goal is to win a Mountain West championship. We haven’t done that since I’ve been here, and we want it.”
CB Tyree Simmons: “Playing corner is like gambling. You never know what you’re getting yourself into.”
S Jake Schlager: “Every year there’s different personnel. We’re going to have a new identity this year, and I think we can turn that into a positive. It brings a competitive edge every day.”
QB Faton Bauta: “If you’re not a perfectionist, I don’t know why you’re playing quarterback. I’m came here for a reason.”
QB Nick Stevens: “I think I made a bigger leap from Year 1 to Year 2 in this offense than the previous because of the game experience I had. I feel a lot better today than I did at this point a year ago.”
QB Nick Stevens: “This is the tightest bond we’ve all had in my four years here. When you have that tight bond it makes up for lack of experience. We have that family feel and unity that allows us to play to that next level. You don’t want to mess up because of the guy next to you.”
C Jake Bennett: “I grew up watching CSU, guys like (Bradlee) Van Pelt, Cecil (Sapp), CSU legends. I always loved CSU, so being able to play here is a dream.”
C Jake Bennett: “Coach (Will) Friend definitely sets some high standards for us, so we’re always trying to push each other and get better. We’ve come a long way from last year. This year, I think we can fill that role (of strength of the team).”
LG Fred Zerblis: “As O-line, we spend a lot of time together. Coaches have us busy from 6-1 so we’re hanging out together then, and whenever we have time off we’re still hanging out with each other.”
TE Nolan Peralta: “As a senior trying to lead the (tight end) group, it’s important to set the standard that others have set before us.”
RB Dalyn Dawkins: “I’ve always been seen as an explosive guy. Last year I wasn’t as explosive as I could be, but I feel good and I hope to be even more explosive.”
