Colorado State University Athletics
Rams continue to put in work during bye week
9/22/2017 12:56:00 PM | Football
CSU balancing life on and off the football field this weekend
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The Colorado State Rams may be in their first bye week of the 2017 season, but that doesn't mean that they aren't working.
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Head Coach Mike Bobo has stressed since the Rams left Tuscaloosa, Ala., that this bye week is just another opportunity to get better. Bobo and his staff have also been able to try some new players in new positions (one example being cornerback Robert Awunganyi playing on the offensive side), as well as resting some established starters.
"It's a chance to get a lot of young guys a lot more reps and rest some guys that are more solid No. 1's," Bobo said. "We're able to get a lot of young offensive linemen, tight ends and wide receivers some work."
The coaches challenged the players this week and aimed to ramp up the competition level at practice. The players acknowledged that this was the case, and are aware of how impactful even a bye week can be.
"Right now we know is it's not an off week," sophomore defensive lineman Toby McBride said. "If anything, the practicing is harder and [there's] more competition, so we're taking advantage of this week to get better and kick some things up before we get into our conference play. That's really what matters, winning all these games so we can get a Mountain West championship."
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Only two MW teams are idle this week (CSU and Fresno State), so the team will have an opportunity to watch its peers on television for the first time this year.
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"It's going to be pretty nice to sit back and watch all these other teams and see what they're doing; see how our in-conference teams play," McBride said. "We are going to be able to see Hawaii and how they do on Saturday. It's going to be a little bit of an advantage to see what the other teams are doing, being able to watch a full game because usually you're just watching film, so all you see are play-by-plays and cut-ups. Typically you're not able to see the momentum and all that."
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Much of the team will be glued to their TVs this weekend, trying to consume as much football as they can. That doesn't mean they won't be filling their weekend with activities, however.
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"I have a TV and a laptop; there's going to be video games on one screen and sports on another screen," junior running back Izzy Matthews said. "It's going to be a nice weekend to be able to relax and get our bodies right, while still staying in tune with the sport."
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Matthews will fill some of his off time with Destiny 2, but the guys still anticipate seeing each other quite a bit this weekend.
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"I think a bye week is the time to settle down, take care of the little things and focus on who we have next," sophomore running back Marvin Kinsey, Jr., said. "I think we're going to hang. I think at the end of the day you want to just bond with your teammates and do things as a team."
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CSU will visit Hawai'i for the first time since 2013 on Sept. 30. Game time is slated for 10 p.m. MT.
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RAMS UNVEIL STATE PRIDE UNIFORMS
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Yesterday, CSU and its official apparel provider Under Armour unveiled a special State Pride uniform that the Rams will wear for their Nov. 11 home game vs. Boise State.
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"Our partnership with Under Armour provides for specialty uniforms and the UA design team does a tremendous job driving the creative process," said Joe Parker, Director of Athletics. "The use of our iconic state flag as the base element for this uniform speaks to the pride across Colorado for the University and also our mission as a land grant institution."
The new alternate uniforms went viral on social media, and garnered much praise – both locally and nationally.
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Head Coach Mike Bobo has stressed since the Rams left Tuscaloosa, Ala., that this bye week is just another opportunity to get better. Bobo and his staff have also been able to try some new players in new positions (one example being cornerback Robert Awunganyi playing on the offensive side), as well as resting some established starters.
"It's a chance to get a lot of young guys a lot more reps and rest some guys that are more solid No. 1's," Bobo said. "We're able to get a lot of young offensive linemen, tight ends and wide receivers some work."
The coaches challenged the players this week and aimed to ramp up the competition level at practice. The players acknowledged that this was the case, and are aware of how impactful even a bye week can be.
"Right now we know is it's not an off week," sophomore defensive lineman Toby McBride said. "If anything, the practicing is harder and [there's] more competition, so we're taking advantage of this week to get better and kick some things up before we get into our conference play. That's really what matters, winning all these games so we can get a Mountain West championship."
Â
Only two MW teams are idle this week (CSU and Fresno State), so the team will have an opportunity to watch its peers on television for the first time this year.
Â
"It's going to be pretty nice to sit back and watch all these other teams and see what they're doing; see how our in-conference teams play," McBride said. "We are going to be able to see Hawaii and how they do on Saturday. It's going to be a little bit of an advantage to see what the other teams are doing, being able to watch a full game because usually you're just watching film, so all you see are play-by-plays and cut-ups. Typically you're not able to see the momentum and all that."
Â
Much of the team will be glued to their TVs this weekend, trying to consume as much football as they can. That doesn't mean they won't be filling their weekend with activities, however.
Â
"I have a TV and a laptop; there's going to be video games on one screen and sports on another screen," junior running back Izzy Matthews said. "It's going to be a nice weekend to be able to relax and get our bodies right, while still staying in tune with the sport."
Â
Matthews will fill some of his off time with Destiny 2, but the guys still anticipate seeing each other quite a bit this weekend.
Â
"I think a bye week is the time to settle down, take care of the little things and focus on who we have next," sophomore running back Marvin Kinsey, Jr., said. "I think we're going to hang. I think at the end of the day you want to just bond with your teammates and do things as a team."
Â
CSU will visit Hawai'i for the first time since 2013 on Sept. 30. Game time is slated for 10 p.m. MT.
Â
RAMS UNVEIL STATE PRIDE UNIFORMS
Â
Yesterday, CSU and its official apparel provider Under Armour unveiled a special State Pride uniform that the Rams will wear for their Nov. 11 home game vs. Boise State.
Â
"Our partnership with Under Armour provides for specialty uniforms and the UA design team does a tremendous job driving the creative process," said Joe Parker, Director of Athletics. "The use of our iconic state flag as the base element for this uniform speaks to the pride across Colorado for the University and also our mission as a land grant institution."
#StatePride
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) September 21, 2017
11.11.17 vs. Boise State. pic.twitter.com/XetYpnd6XI
The new alternate uniforms went viral on social media, and garnered much praise – both locally and nationally.
These Colorado State alternate uniforms are ?????? https://t.co/GcfYUB61FK
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 21, 2017
Folks, Colorado State just unveiled some straight ?? Â uniforms (?? Â via @Brett_McMurphy) https://t.co/kvh71edIg5
— Morgan Moriarty (@Morgan_Moriarty) September 21, 2017
tasty https://t.co/anSHBSV1sI
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) September 21, 2017
Colorado State's alternate uniforms incorporate the Colorado state flag. They are gorgeous. https://t.co/YySR6Nbllg pic.twitter.com/ua1SgTuxtW
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) September 21, 2017
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Players Mentioned
Thursday, May 14
Monday, May 11
Friday, May 08
Tuesday, April 28