Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Cris Tiller
Monday Presser: Short Week Presents Physical Challenge for Rams
10/7/2019 1:24:00 PM | Football
Kamara plays well in first start
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – With a short week to prepare, the Rams are taking some precautions with a roster feeling the effects of seven consecutive games.
Sunday was a scheduled practice game with Friday's road game at New Mexico (6 p.m,; CBS Sports Network), but instead of a full workout, the physical part of the day was confined to stretching and running, as well as getting treatment. The rest of the day was devoted to clean up from the San Diego State game and a short sample of what the Lobos have to offer.
CSU head coach Mike Bobo said his team is beat up, but he also knows the opponent has dealt with the absence of key players, as well.
"Really, we've had a bunch of physical games, the games we've played and the style we've played offensively, I felt like we needed a day yesterday to kinda regroup and kinda get our legs back under us, get some extra treatment for the guys," Bobo said at his Monday press conference. "We've got to get guys healthy, so there will be some guys who can go today and some guys who will be in a red jersey so they can practice as much as we can without banging."
The rest of the week, he said, is a balancing act of how much contact can they get away with while keeping up the pace of game day against not wearing the players down.
Defensive end Manny Jones was injured early in Saturday's loss to the Aztecs, and his availability, based on Sunday's report, would be doubtful, Bobo said. Receiver Warren Jackson, who has missed the past two games, was set to see doctors later Monday to see if he can be cleared to play.
This is the second of four Friday games the Rams will play this season. This one will carry the team into a bye week. The final two Friday games are the closing games of the season, at Wyoming (Nov. 22) and home against Boise State (Nov. 29).
Ball Security
One of the reasons Bobo will put his quarterbacks up for evaluation this week is ball security. He said he hadn't checked, but was positive CSU led the nation in turnovers. Not exactly. No team has more than the 10 fumbles they've lost, but New Mexico State has 17 turnovers this year, one more than does CSU.
Not even close to good enough for Bobo.
"I'm looking at consistency, doing what we ask them to do in practice," he said of his quarterbacks. "Hopefully that will carry over to the game. I'm not looking to draw it out this week, but we could go into the game plan playing more than one guy. We're going to do whatever we feel gives us the best chance to win. It could be one guy, it could be two guys. It could be run the ball three times and punt. We'll see. You can't turn it over as much as we turn it over and expect to win."
Running back Marvin Kinsey Jr., has had fumble issues this season, and he was officially credited with one last week, but Bobo felt it was more on quarterback Patrick O'Brien on the exchange, which is what O'Brien said himself after the game. Kinsey Jr., has been one of the most explosive players in the nation when he holds onto the ball, and Bobo felt his performance against the Aztecs earned back some trust, but there is still a leash and the senior back will be a target for defenses.
"He touched the ball close to 10 times and held on to the ball. Marvin is an explosive guy that gives us a better chance to win," Bobo said. "Now, he's got to hang on to that football, and they know he's fumbled the ball. Teams know a guy has fumbled the ball, they're going to extra effort to rip and pull at that ball and take chances to pull that ball out."
New Addition
True freshman linebacker Mohamed Kamara started his first collegiate game against San Diego State in just his third appearance this season. He finished with six tackles, 1.5 for loss.
"I thought Mohamed played awesome in the game. I thought he showed up, he played physical," Bobo said. "It had a lot to do with who we were playing, San Diego State playing with a tight end and a fullback. He was in some of our base packages defensively. We have to find a way to get him on the field in our nickel and our dime packages we'll be playing this week against New Mexico."
He became the fourth true freshman to start a game this season for Colorado State. Dante Wright has started every game, Nouredin Nouili five and kicker Cayden Camper has been the team's starting placekicker since the Arkansas game.
Sunday was a scheduled practice game with Friday's road game at New Mexico (6 p.m,; CBS Sports Network), but instead of a full workout, the physical part of the day was confined to stretching and running, as well as getting treatment. The rest of the day was devoted to clean up from the San Diego State game and a short sample of what the Lobos have to offer.
CSU head coach Mike Bobo said his team is beat up, but he also knows the opponent has dealt with the absence of key players, as well.
"Really, we've had a bunch of physical games, the games we've played and the style we've played offensively, I felt like we needed a day yesterday to kinda regroup and kinda get our legs back under us, get some extra treatment for the guys," Bobo said at his Monday press conference. "We've got to get guys healthy, so there will be some guys who can go today and some guys who will be in a red jersey so they can practice as much as we can without banging."
The rest of the week, he said, is a balancing act of how much contact can they get away with while keeping up the pace of game day against not wearing the players down.
Defensive end Manny Jones was injured early in Saturday's loss to the Aztecs, and his availability, based on Sunday's report, would be doubtful, Bobo said. Receiver Warren Jackson, who has missed the past two games, was set to see doctors later Monday to see if he can be cleared to play.
This is the second of four Friday games the Rams will play this season. This one will carry the team into a bye week. The final two Friday games are the closing games of the season, at Wyoming (Nov. 22) and home against Boise State (Nov. 29).
Ball Security
One of the reasons Bobo will put his quarterbacks up for evaluation this week is ball security. He said he hadn't checked, but was positive CSU led the nation in turnovers. Not exactly. No team has more than the 10 fumbles they've lost, but New Mexico State has 17 turnovers this year, one more than does CSU.
Not even close to good enough for Bobo.
"I'm looking at consistency, doing what we ask them to do in practice," he said of his quarterbacks. "Hopefully that will carry over to the game. I'm not looking to draw it out this week, but we could go into the game plan playing more than one guy. We're going to do whatever we feel gives us the best chance to win. It could be one guy, it could be two guys. It could be run the ball three times and punt. We'll see. You can't turn it over as much as we turn it over and expect to win."
Running back Marvin Kinsey Jr., has had fumble issues this season, and he was officially credited with one last week, but Bobo felt it was more on quarterback Patrick O'Brien on the exchange, which is what O'Brien said himself after the game. Kinsey Jr., has been one of the most explosive players in the nation when he holds onto the ball, and Bobo felt his performance against the Aztecs earned back some trust, but there is still a leash and the senior back will be a target for defenses.
"He touched the ball close to 10 times and held on to the ball. Marvin is an explosive guy that gives us a better chance to win," Bobo said. "Now, he's got to hang on to that football, and they know he's fumbled the ball. Teams know a guy has fumbled the ball, they're going to extra effort to rip and pull at that ball and take chances to pull that ball out."
New Addition
True freshman linebacker Mohamed Kamara started his first collegiate game against San Diego State in just his third appearance this season. He finished with six tackles, 1.5 for loss.
"I thought Mohamed played awesome in the game. I thought he showed up, he played physical," Bobo said. "It had a lot to do with who we were playing, San Diego State playing with a tight end and a fullback. He was in some of our base packages defensively. We have to find a way to get him on the field in our nickel and our dime packages we'll be playing this week against New Mexico."
He became the fourth true freshman to start a game this season for Colorado State. Dante Wright has started every game, Nouredin Nouili five and kicker Cayden Camper has been the team's starting placekicker since the Arkansas game.
Players Mentioned
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