Setting the Stage: Fresno State

Colorado State (0-0, 0-0 MW) at Fresno State (0-1, 0-1)
Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, Calif.
Thursday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m.

GAME LINKS

Watch | Listen | CSU Stats | FSU Stats

Colorado State set to open season -- finally

Meshing the Offense

On the surface, the philosophies don't seem to meld.

Colorado State head coach Steve Addazio bring a run-heavy mentality to the football program. Joey Lynch, the offensive coordinator he hired, has shown a little more of a lean toward a passing game, but not necessarily pass happy.

But that's just on the surface. Listening to the two men who will have the greatest impact on the Rams offense, their visions of offense are not that far off. They both believe in balance and using what the personnel dictates, so building a scheme has not been an issue at all.

"We weren't really very different," Addazio said. "We were really pretty similar, and that's why I hired him, because I'm going to have a big input in what's going on here. I think Joey's done a tremendous job of really all of us becoming aligned together, which really wasn't far to align. That's been great. I feel like we're completely on the same page."

When Addazio was hired, the receivers at Colorado State did some research. What they found was as a head coach, Addazio has had just one quarterback throw for 300 yards in a game. Just once, too, and 305 to be exact.

E.J. Scott wasn't concerned. He said Addazio is a smart man, so he knew he wouldn't ignore the talent on hand. And when Lynch was hired, he was even more confident.

"I got recruited by Ball State in high school, so I already knew what type of offense they ran. I was pretty excited when I heard (Lynch) was getting hired.

"I would say it's melded together pretty good. The run game that Addazio brings really helped us get into nakeds and play-action passes; it opens up things really well, and I think that will help us air out the ball pretty well."

Where Lynch says he and Addazio are really aligned is the quest for balance and the way they want to attack on offense. It's not about the numbers on one side or the other, it's the two combined to meet the game plan.

Teams are going to have strengths. It's the ability to maximize the ability of the personnel.

"I think me and coach are very aligned in we've got to do what's best for our football team to move the football and score points," Lynch said. "He understands that very well, whether it's running it or throwing it, he wants great balance and it's also about putting our players in the best position to have success. When you look at the places he's coached, they've had really good running backs and they've been really good up front. They ran the ball for a bunch of yards, not just because Coach wants to run the ball and control the game, but also because that gave them the best chance to win.

"If coach feels, as I do, that our best place is to win on the perimeter, we're going to do that and give our kids the best chance to win. That's why we're really aligned."

Addazio's influence on the run game is needed. Colorado State has rushed for 2,853 yards the past two seasons combined, or just 22 yards shy of what the ground game produced in 2016. In running backs coach Brian White, the Rams have someone on hand who has mentored a Heisman Trophy winner.
Senior back Marcus McElroy has already seen a difference. What's been added to the running game has been a plus, and he thinks it will play well with what the offense can do through the air. In short, he sees and offense that can still average 30-plus points per game, just with a bit more balance.

Like the fans, he was curious, too. Now he's just anxious to take theory to practical application.

"They're definitely melded a lot more than I felt it was going to be," McElroy said. "Hearing from Addazio being a heavy-run type of coach, and him going and getting Coach Lynch was one of the best decisions he made. I think Coach Lynch has a very good eye for passing schemes, so I feel like they meld together very well to be able to put a good, heavy run in, and as well be able to use the weapons we have at receiver."

Pros and Cons

Colorado State was robbed of a game last week when New Mexico felt it couldn't prepare due to restrictions placed upon practice by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Curiously, the Lobos are OK to leave the state this weekend to turn a home game into a road affair with San Jose State.

So the Rams are still looking to play their first game, while opponent Fresno State had a chance to work out some kinks in a loss to Hawaii. So, who has the advantage?

"Playing a game is a huge advantage. It gets you in more of a game synch," Addazio said. "In the same breath, they had to play on a Saturday night and turn back around for a Thursday night, but now their home, so that helps him. The flip side is we haven't played a game, but we've had at least enough days to prepare, which is huge for us."

Also, the Rams now have tape on what Fresno State is doing in all three phases with a new coaching staff in place. In the end, it will come down to execution and playing clean. Turnover margin and special teams play has been crucial in the early going of team's season across the country.

And this being on the road, Addazio knows what to put in the suitcase first.

"The old adage when you go on the road: You've got to pack your defense, pack your run game," Addazio said. "That's what you need to do."

For the Record

The Rams were set to face a first-year coach this past week, but it didn't happen. It will this time around as Kalen DeBoer has taken over the Bulldogs. The Rams will do it one more time later this year when they travel to San Diego State, now led by Brady Hoke. For the second time.

Addazio will be looking to become the third consecutive coach at CSU to win his inaugural game, following both Mike Bobo and Jim McElwain. Before that pair, six first-year CSU coaches lost their debuts, dating back to Sark Arslanian in 1973. Jerry Wampfler (1970), Bob Davis (1947), Julias Wagner (1942) and Clarence Griffith (1901) also won in their first sideline stints.

Colorado State, traveling to Fresno for the second consecutive year, holds a three-game win streak over the Bulldogs heading into the game. The only Mountain West schools the Rams have longer streaks against are New Mexico (10) and UNLV (four).

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Players Mentioned

E.J. Scott

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Colorado State University Athletics