Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Tomas Redondo
Monday Presser: Team Has No Problem Sticking Together This Season
10/28/2019 2:30:00 PM | Football
Rams to break out State Pride uniforms again
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Starting a season in a sluggish fashion always leads to the questions of how a team is going to handle the pressure.
As losses add up, frustrations collect. Keeping them from spilling over in the locker room and creating a mess can be a major task.
Or not.
Colorado State football coach Mike Bobo hasn't had it on his list of tasks, with no signs of discourse taking over. Instead, he's seen a consistent commitment to each other and improving, which the Rams have turned into a two-game win streak with a home date set with UNLV this Saturday (1:30 p.m.; AT&T SportsNet).
"I think we've done an outstanding job of player leadership on this football team, players taking accountability for their actions," Bobo said at his Monday gathering with the media. "Coaches taking accountability for their actions, and there's a lot of trust in that locker room right now, just because everybody is holding their own rope. I think it showed, and we were able to fight through and bounce back a little bit.
"But we've got to do it again this week, against a talented team with some speed."
The wins snapped a streak of four consecutive losses, the first three of the ilk which can really test a team's mettle – they had a shot in the fourth quarter to win at Arkansas and Utah State, as well as at home facing Toledo.
The mood naturally changes with the outcome of the game, but the demeanor has remained consistent for CSU's players. Last year, there were fractures, and Bobo believes that had more to do with his being away from the program for stretches while he addressed his health.
"I think so. I think last year was a little bit different. Personally, I think that had a lot to do with my absence around the football team, not being able to handle some adverse situations when things didn't go well," he said. "Now, I think we're handling it pretty good. You have ups and downs through every season, every game, but I think for the most part, our guys have played hard and played together."
State Pride
The last time the Rams pulled out the State Pride uniforms, they were a major hit with the fan base, and as Bobo found, throughout the state.
"I've told this story before," he said. "When I went on the road in state and recruited, it wasn't just players – because you can't talk to players at that time – but administrators, people in school who were Colorado State fans, even people who weren't Colorado State fans, loved the uniforms, because there's so much pride in the state and people love our state flag. I think it was awesome we came up with that idea to represent our state. I'm sure the other school in state is a little jealous they didn't come up with the idea."
Honestly, State Pride week snuck up on Bobo; he forgot this was the week, but he knows players always like to show off new looks.
"I know they were excited about some hoodies we gave them," Bobo quipped. "They like gear, and they like uniforms."
Here and There
The weather in Colorado will be colder this week up until kickoff Saturday, with temperatures at least climbing above freezing. How that affects practice this week, Bobo still isn't sure. He did say the Rams would practice inside Monday, more to protect current injury concerns. Whichever way they go, he said, won't matter until the final gun. "Who knows? If we lose, they'll say we didn't go outside enough. If we win, they'll say we were smart." … Bobo praised the play of Keith Williams at tackle with the offensive line getting adjusted due to Nouredin Nouili's injury. He felt Williams played well, and the group as a whole. He felt the protections missed in the game were not on them. … After playing back-to-back road games with a bye in the middle, the Rams are not set for the reverse, a bye nestled between this game and Air Force on Nov. 16.
As losses add up, frustrations collect. Keeping them from spilling over in the locker room and creating a mess can be a major task.
Or not.
Colorado State football coach Mike Bobo hasn't had it on his list of tasks, with no signs of discourse taking over. Instead, he's seen a consistent commitment to each other and improving, which the Rams have turned into a two-game win streak with a home date set with UNLV this Saturday (1:30 p.m.; AT&T SportsNet).
"I think we've done an outstanding job of player leadership on this football team, players taking accountability for their actions," Bobo said at his Monday gathering with the media. "Coaches taking accountability for their actions, and there's a lot of trust in that locker room right now, just because everybody is holding their own rope. I think it showed, and we were able to fight through and bounce back a little bit.
"But we've got to do it again this week, against a talented team with some speed."
The wins snapped a streak of four consecutive losses, the first three of the ilk which can really test a team's mettle – they had a shot in the fourth quarter to win at Arkansas and Utah State, as well as at home facing Toledo.
The mood naturally changes with the outcome of the game, but the demeanor has remained consistent for CSU's players. Last year, there were fractures, and Bobo believes that had more to do with his being away from the program for stretches while he addressed his health.
"I think so. I think last year was a little bit different. Personally, I think that had a lot to do with my absence around the football team, not being able to handle some adverse situations when things didn't go well," he said. "Now, I think we're handling it pretty good. You have ups and downs through every season, every game, but I think for the most part, our guys have played hard and played together."
State Pride
The last time the Rams pulled out the State Pride uniforms, they were a major hit with the fan base, and as Bobo found, throughout the state.
"I've told this story before," he said. "When I went on the road in state and recruited, it wasn't just players – because you can't talk to players at that time – but administrators, people in school who were Colorado State fans, even people who weren't Colorado State fans, loved the uniforms, because there's so much pride in the state and people love our state flag. I think it was awesome we came up with that idea to represent our state. I'm sure the other school in state is a little jealous they didn't come up with the idea."
Honestly, State Pride week snuck up on Bobo; he forgot this was the week, but he knows players always like to show off new looks.
"I know they were excited about some hoodies we gave them," Bobo quipped. "They like gear, and they like uniforms."
Here and There
The weather in Colorado will be colder this week up until kickoff Saturday, with temperatures at least climbing above freezing. How that affects practice this week, Bobo still isn't sure. He did say the Rams would practice inside Monday, more to protect current injury concerns. Whichever way they go, he said, won't matter until the final gun. "Who knows? If we lose, they'll say we didn't go outside enough. If we win, they'll say we were smart." … Bobo praised the play of Keith Williams at tackle with the offensive line getting adjusted due to Nouredin Nouili's injury. He felt Williams played well, and the group as a whole. He felt the protections missed in the game were not on them. … After playing back-to-back road games with a bye in the middle, the Rams are not set for the reverse, a bye nestled between this game and Air Force on Nov. 16.
Players Mentioned
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