Mike Bobo shares excitement for 2018 season

The Rams report to preseason camp in just 17 days, and today head coach Mike Bobo was in Colorado Springs with fellow head coaches from around the state to preview the upcoming season for the media and guests at the annual College Football Kickoff Luncheon, hosted by The Sports Corp.

With Colorado State's season opener scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25, at Canvas Stadium, every day of preparation is essential in the lead-up to the July 27 start of preseason camp. Rams fans will be eager to see how Bobo and his offensive staff continue to re-write the school's offensive record book with new players in key spots in 2018.

"We lost a lot of production in (Michael) Gallup and running back Dalyn Dawkins—who I felt were the heart and soul of our team—and Nick Stevens, who we have talked about," Bobo said. "We all lose guys every year, that everybody sitting up here would say that you could worry about it or be excited about which young man is going to step up. That's what I am excited about is to see who will step up in fall camp. You've really got to figure out what you're going to be, and who you're going to be offensively. Yes, I've got a system, but if you've watched my system, it has varied a lot based on personnel. Everyone wonders who will take Michael's place, but those 100 catches from last year won't necessarily all be to a receiver. That's production that could go to tight ends, it could go to running backs. There's a lot of different ways it could go, as we have a lot of young talent."

The Rams have posted three of the top seven seasons in school history for total yards and scoring under Bobo's leadership, with new faces each season stepping into starring roles. CSU has ranked in the top 10 in program history each of his three seasons in yards per play, first downs, rushing yards, passing yards and total points. Specifically, the Rams have posted two of the top five scoring seasons in school history (3rd—35.3 in 2016 and 5th—33.4 in 2017) and two of the top four marks for total offense, including a school-record 492.5 yards per game in 2017 (also 4th, 462.5 in 2016).

Much focus will be on the quarterback position after the graduation of first-team All-Mountain West signal-caller Nick Stevens, and the offseason injury to sophomore Collin Hill.

"We were very fortunate to get (graduate transfer) K.J. Carta-Samuels (from Washington) to come to Colorado State," Bobo said. "We just kept recruiting him throughout the process, and, obviously when the injury happened to Collin Hill – just being totally transparent – it kind of helped us a little bit more to convince him to come to Colorado State. He's been on campus since May and done a great job with the guys. In the summer, we only get two hours with them and it's really got to be chalkboard. It's really been fun getting on the chalkboard with him. He's a guy that's got a hunger to learn. He knows what it takes, has got a really good work ethic and is a guy we have to run out of the building. So I am just excited to get out on the grass with him."

Bobo also provided an update on the recovery process for Hill, who started three games as a true freshman in 2016 before his season was cut short by a knee injury.

"Collin Hill is four months out (from his surgery)," Bobo said. "He had his checkup yesterday and is ahead of schedule. I'm excited to see where he is in three more weeks (when practice begins). We just have to determine, 'is he healthy enough to compete.' I do think, at some point, he will be ready to play this season. He is a remarkable young man. I feel very disappointed for him, going through his second ACL surgery, but he has worked extremely hard. But it is good to have competition. I am excited about the competition in the room. We lost a very good player in Nick Stevens, with a lot of production and a lot of leadership in the room. We have to find production and leadership, and a lot of that is happening this summer with our guys with what they are doing on their own, but a lot will happen in fall camp before we play our first game."

Overall, the Rams return 10 starters on offense and defense, including honorable mention All-MW linebacker Josh Watson, the team's leading tackler in 2017 with 109 stops. All three specialists also return, including honorable mention All-MW punter Ryan Stonehouse and all-conference candidate kicker Wyatt Bryan. Senior wide receiver Olabisi Johnson is poised for a breakout season after increasing his reception total from 28 as a sophomore to 41 as a junior, alongside 100-catch All-American Gallup.

Equally anticipated in 2018 will be the improvement of the defense under new coordinator John Jancek. Six starters return, with fellow seniors Jordan Fogal (safety) and Tre Thomas (linebacker) joining Watson, along with juniors Arjay Jean (DE), Max McDonald (LB) and Anthony Hawkins (CB), as well as key contributors Richard King (DL) and Emmanuel Jones (DE).

Talk about CSU Football around the state of Colorado also continues to focus heavily on Canvas Stadium, one year after its official grand opening, and Tuesday Bobo was asked about the effect the new facility has had on the program.

"It's brought extreme excitement to the community," Bobo explained. "It's such a beautiful campus and that stadium fits almost perfectly on campus. It's a beautiful setting, and Fort Collins is a beautiful town. It's a great game-day atmosphere. Our fans were engaged in every home game last year, and hopefully it will only get better, year-in and year-out."

Season tickets for the 2018 season begin as low as $250 for the seven-game package—six at Canvas Stadium plus the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown in Denver against Colorado. Three-game mini-plans also are on sale, beginning as low as $101 for any trio of games. Personalized seat selection sessions are held every Wednesday. To make an appointment, purchase tickets or obtain more information please call the Rams Sales Team at 800-491-RAMS (7267). More information also can be found here.

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