Colorado State University Athletics

Monday Presser: Short Week Has Addazio Looking Forward
10/18/2021 2:48:00 PM | Football
Defense to face new challenges this week
Colorado State (3-3, 2-0)Â at Utah State (4-2, 2-1)
Maverik Stadium |Â Logan, Utah
Friday, Oct. 22, 7:30Â p.m.
Â
Maverik Stadium |Â Logan, Utah
Friday, Oct. 22, 7:30Â p.m.
Â
GAME LINKS |
Watch | Listen | CSU Stats | USU Stats |
|
Short Week has Addazio Looking Ahead
|
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – With a short week, Steve Addazio was done looking back by the time his weekly press conference rolled around on Monday.
Â
Defensively, his team was fantastic in Saturday's win over New Mexico. But Utah State is awaiting Friday, so he was already in go mode.
Â
"In these short weeks, I've just kicked beyond that game right now," he said. "I'm so far moved forward right now, because to me, you see, this is my Tuesday right now. It's hard to let my mind drift back to last week. There were some great performances, some record-breaking stuff done on defense, we're continuing to grow as a team.
Â
"Like I always say in football, every week is a new challenge. Our defense will be challenged now in a different way, so here we go."
Â
A look back at the game showed the Rams limited the Lobos to just 69 yards of total offense, the second-best performance by a CSU defense in program history. Allowing just 1.4 yards per play was the best performance, ever.
Â
There were signs of growth all around. They made splash plays with tackles for loss and sacks, and also made impact plays with three turnovers created, two on interceptions. The unit now has an interception in three consecutive weeks.
Â
"There was a lot of good stuff on the tape all the way around. Some of disappointing things, as well," Addazio said. "There's a lot of room to improve. I thought the defense played well, made the plays they needed to make, great job starting the run, got pressure on the quarterback, etcetera, created turnovers which is really important."
Â
No Return Policy
Â
Addazio noted there has to be high execution in all three phases this week, with a special attention to the special teams. If there was one place he wasn't happy after the latest win, it was there, primarily due to a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown being the Lobos' only points.
Â
Utah State has a pretty good kick returner in Savon Scarver, who is averaging 27.3 yards per return this year with a 100-yard touchdown return to his credit. The Rams know all about him, as he hit CSU for a 100-yard kick return in the 2019 matchup.
Â
"He's an excellent player," he said. "We've got to have great coverage. I said this last weekend, I think, the kiss of death. You walk in and the coaches say our kick team is fifth in the country. See ya."
Â
Where Addazio believes the breakdowns have come recently after an outstanding start is in the shuffling of personnel, made necessary by injuries and even some shuffling of assignments. Getting the second and third wave up to speed is crucial as a season plays out.
Â
The Aggies' punt returner, Jordan Nathan, is averaging 12.1 yards per return, with a long of 28. Addazio said after the New Mexico game it had to be cleaned up this week, because Utah State is more than adept at finding holes.
Â
"We've got good special teams units," Addazio said. "We've had outstanding coverage, and we will have outstanding coverage again."
Â
Here and There
Â
David Bailey is on the mend, but A'Jon Vivens sustained an ankle injury in the win over New Mexico. With depth at the position down, Addazio said Christian Hunter has returned to running back. He had switched to the secondary during camp. … The Rams can win a third consecutive Mountain West game for the first time since 2019. … The Rams have not opened Mountain West play 3-0 since 2017, when they started 4-0.
Â
Players Mentioned
Colorado State Football: Kinnard (L) and Jarmolowich (R) Post-Game (Hawai'i, 2025)
Saturday, October 18
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Post-Game (Hawai'i, 2025)
Saturday, October 18
Colorado State Football: Cinematic Recap vs. Fresno State
Tuesday, October 14
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Weekly Press Conference - Week 7 (2025)
Monday, October 13