Colorado State University Athletics
What We Saw: Rams Complement Each Other
10/27/2019 12:00:00 PM | Football
Early runs spark McElroy's effort
Complementary Football
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One side helping the other. That's the way good teams play, and it's how Colorado State has performed the past two weeks.
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Both victories.
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"Every phase was playing their butt off, and we were excited out there," CSU head coach Mike Bobo said. "That's what we talked about at halftime. Who wants to win the game more is going to win it, and body language is important. It can deflate the other team."
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When the offense failed to capitalize on a fourth-quarter drive, one which ended on a Patrick O'Brien interception, the defense responded by returning the favor when Logan Stewart hauled in a deflected pass and returned it 24 yards to put the offense back in prime position.
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O'Brien hit Warren Jackson for an 11-yard score, and the Rams were in business, playing like a complete team.
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"I really feel like we are," running back Marcus McElroy said. "We're starting to play complementary, as well as keep each other motivated and hype each other up on the sidelines."
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Even within a unit, it's starting to happen. The offense had to restructure up front to start the game, and McElroy and Jaylen Thomas had to pick up the slack in the running game.
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On defense, Stewart said his first interception was the result of the work of others.
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"That felt good. It was really all up front," Stewart said. "Brandon Crossley had good coverage on the receiver, broke up the ball and I was in the right position to make a play. It works with everybody, good pass rush, DBs in coverage and we can make plays like that."
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It also helped the Rams won the turnover battle, 2-1, both on Stewart interceptions.
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Filling the gap
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McElroy produced some big runs early, which he said was exactly what he needed to get going.
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"It helped my confidence a lot. It just did it for me, to show I can do it and that anything I can do moving forward, I can put out the same amount of effort, the same product.
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McElroy had runs of 27, 29 and 18 yards in the first quarter alone, sitting at 84 yards by halftime. He had 123 rushing yards on the season heading in, but hit the Fresno State defense for 117 by the close of play, the first time he's cross the century mark.
He punctuated the performance with a pair of rushing touchdowns, the first of his career.
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"To see him respond tonight and have some really, really good runs, breaking tackles, was good to see," Bobo said. "He ended up at 6.5 yards per carry and over 100, Jaylen Thomas had 38. Those backs stepped up, but I thougth our line stepped up, too. They got our guys to the second level, and when they did, they broke tackles."
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It was just the third different configuration up front for CSU this season, due to an injury to starting guard Nouredin Nouili. Keith Williams slid in at tackle, with Barry Wesley moving to guard.
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A Kick in the Pants
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The Rams have struggled all season when it comes to placekicking, with Cayden Camper the third kicker the team has tried. When he missed his first attempt of Saturday's game, it was the second consecutive attempt he missed, putting the team at 8-of-16 on the year.
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On the next try, Maxwell Poduska -- who was the first choice out of camp and made his first kick – was given another chance. He had been 1 of-3 on the season, all between 40 and 49 yards, and he came through with a pair of field goals, hitting from 39 and 25 yards.
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For the moment, there is hope.
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"It definitely restored it a little bit," quarterback Patrick O'Brien said. "Those are big points that we needed, and it helped us with the game today. We just have to continue that."
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After the opening miss, which would have pushed Colorado State's lead to 17-0 in the first quarter, Bobo looked beyond distraught. McElroy said moving forward, the offense just has to feel the kicking game will do its expected part.
Â
"It boosts our confidence," he said. "It shows that every time we go out were going to do what we said were going to do, regardless of what happens, there's going to be points put up. It makes us feel good, and I'm sure it makes everybody else feel good."
Â
Bobo was definitely happier.
Â
Â
One side helping the other. That's the way good teams play, and it's how Colorado State has performed the past two weeks.
Â
Both victories.
Â
"Every phase was playing their butt off, and we were excited out there," CSU head coach Mike Bobo said. "That's what we talked about at halftime. Who wants to win the game more is going to win it, and body language is important. It can deflate the other team."
Â
When the offense failed to capitalize on a fourth-quarter drive, one which ended on a Patrick O'Brien interception, the defense responded by returning the favor when Logan Stewart hauled in a deflected pass and returned it 24 yards to put the offense back in prime position.
Â
O'Brien hit Warren Jackson for an 11-yard score, and the Rams were in business, playing like a complete team.
Â
"I really feel like we are," running back Marcus McElroy said. "We're starting to play complementary, as well as keep each other motivated and hype each other up on the sidelines."
Â
Even within a unit, it's starting to happen. The offense had to restructure up front to start the game, and McElroy and Jaylen Thomas had to pick up the slack in the running game.
Â
On defense, Stewart said his first interception was the result of the work of others.
Â
"That felt good. It was really all up front," Stewart said. "Brandon Crossley had good coverage on the receiver, broke up the ball and I was in the right position to make a play. It works with everybody, good pass rush, DBs in coverage and we can make plays like that."
Â
It also helped the Rams won the turnover battle, 2-1, both on Stewart interceptions.
Â
Filling the gap
Â
McElroy produced some big runs early, which he said was exactly what he needed to get going.
Â
"It helped my confidence a lot. It just did it for me, to show I can do it and that anything I can do moving forward, I can put out the same amount of effort, the same product.
Â
McElroy had runs of 27, 29 and 18 yards in the first quarter alone, sitting at 84 yards by halftime. He had 123 rushing yards on the season heading in, but hit the Fresno State defense for 117 by the close of play, the first time he's cross the century mark.
He punctuated the performance with a pair of rushing touchdowns, the first of his career.
Â
"To see him respond tonight and have some really, really good runs, breaking tackles, was good to see," Bobo said. "He ended up at 6.5 yards per carry and over 100, Jaylen Thomas had 38. Those backs stepped up, but I thougth our line stepped up, too. They got our guys to the second level, and when they did, they broke tackles."
Â
It was just the third different configuration up front for CSU this season, due to an injury to starting guard Nouredin Nouili. Keith Williams slid in at tackle, with Barry Wesley moving to guard.
Â
A Kick in the Pants
Â
The Rams have struggled all season when it comes to placekicking, with Cayden Camper the third kicker the team has tried. When he missed his first attempt of Saturday's game, it was the second consecutive attempt he missed, putting the team at 8-of-16 on the year.
Â
On the next try, Maxwell Poduska -- who was the first choice out of camp and made his first kick – was given another chance. He had been 1 of-3 on the season, all between 40 and 49 yards, and he came through with a pair of field goals, hitting from 39 and 25 yards.
Â
For the moment, there is hope.
Â
"It definitely restored it a little bit," quarterback Patrick O'Brien said. "Those are big points that we needed, and it helped us with the game today. We just have to continue that."
Â
After the opening miss, which would have pushed Colorado State's lead to 17-0 in the first quarter, Bobo looked beyond distraught. McElroy said moving forward, the offense just has to feel the kicking game will do its expected part.
Â
"It boosts our confidence," he said. "It shows that every time we go out were going to do what we said were going to do, regardless of what happens, there's going to be points put up. It makes us feel good, and I'm sure it makes everybody else feel good."
Â
Bobo was definitely happier.
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Players Mentioned
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