Colorado State University Athletics
Setting the Stage: New Mexico
10/15/2021 3:00:00 PM | Football
Rams Getting Better at Game Prep Overall
Colorado State (2-3, 1-0)Â at New Mexico (2-4, 0-2)
Dreamstyle Stadium |Â Albuquerque, N.M.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 5Â p.m.
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Dreamstyle Stadium |Â Albuquerque, N.M.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 5Â p.m.
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Rams Getting Better at Game Prep Overall
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FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Going off the early results, road games aren't so bad for Colorado State.
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In Toledo, the Rams picked up their first win. In Iowa City, they went toe-to-toe with the current No. 2 team in the country. An ability to play well away from home is a great asset, but head coach Steve Addazio doesn't see it as his team being able to handle the distractions of a trip, but rather their ability to prepare for games in general.
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"I don't know if it's a road-game approach, per se. I just think it's a game-approach thing," Addazio said after Wednesday practice. "I think we've got such a high focus on trying to improve each week, and I think just coincidentally it started with Toledo on the road. I just think we've had a very good approach."
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The Rams have won two of the past three games, with a bye week thrown in the mix. In that time, Addazio points to the maturity of the team and the growth it has shown in being able to prepare each week with more focus.
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Each game brings a little something new to the table, and the game with New Mexico is no different.
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"This week the challenge is finishing," he said. "Meaning, handle all the mental overload work we have along with the physical work that we can bring this thing home on Saturday, because that's what matters. This is the most quantity of scheme we've had to deal with. I always look at it, everything is new. This is different for us."
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Something to Ignore
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Facts are facts, and the Rams have won 10 successive matchups with New Mexico. However, that's not something the team is focused on, one way or the other.
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They carry in some confidence because of the results, but as a team, they don't even talk about the streak.
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"I feel like once you look at it as if you've already beaten this team, you take them lightly, that's when a team will overcome and finally beat you," defensive lineman Devin Phillips said. "Once a team gets complacent and feels like, alright, we've beaten this team so many years … You can't think like that. Any team can be beaten any week."
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Phillips said the coaches haven't even addressed it all. He hasn't heard reference to it in any meeting or at practice. Obviously, the older players know because they've been part of the run, and most of them know about it through media channels.
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Still, they just don't think about it, just the Lobos are they are this season.
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"We don't talk about it as players," he said. "We just focus on our game. If we focus on us, we're going to come out on top and do the best we can."
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Here and There
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Addazio hopes to have both running back David Bailey and wideout Dante Wright back in the lineup, at least to some degree. Wright did take one snap last week, but Bailey didn't play at all. Even with his return, Addazio sees a heavy mix of him, A'Jon Vivens (coming off the first 100-yard game of his career) and Jaylen Thomas. If one of them gets hot, the coach said, they'll roll with him. … For the second consecutive game, the Rams are preparing to face a team which may be without their starting quarterback. This time around, Addazio doesn't see a stark difference in the way the Lobos' offense operates no matter who is under center.
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