Colorado State University Athletics
Safeties Take on Added Responsibility
11/10/2021 2:01:00 PM | Football
Falcons have thrown a TD pass in past three meetings
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The offense may be different, but to Tywan Francis, the game remains the same.
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As a safety, the Colorado State junior still has responsibilities in the run and pass game, so that part doesn't change. What does is the frequency he'll be on alert for one over the other. The run game becomes more of a primary concern when Air Force is on the schedule.
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"Football really doesn't change," Francis said. "It's run, pass, play-action. Every offense has play-action in their game, in their repertoire, so you always want to be alert for it, but we most definitely want to be alert for it. The one time you could be wrong will be the one time you get hit by this type of offense. You have to make sure you're honed in on your details and your assignment every snap. The moment you slip could be very explosive in this type of game."
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In each of the past three meetings, the Falcons have at least one touchdown pass against the Rams. In 2019, the Falcons threw three in the win. In 2017, Air Force only threw four passes, but one was for a score.
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Air Force has been very adept at hitting the Rams through the air when the defense is vulnerable, which is what defensive coordinator Chuck Heater saw when he went back and watched film of the prior meeting.
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"That's how they beat people. If you do a good job of defending them, and then they're going to resort to the other parts they do," he said. "Two years ago, we played great against them, but they beat us late on some passes. That's their M.O., so you have to be ready for that as well. They do a great job. They know what they're doing."
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In turn, so must the Rams.
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Discipline is the key, because with an added role in the run defense, the safeties are still the last line of defense in the passing game.
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"It's just a different approach, a different mindset," Francis said. "I look at it like it's a task. This is just a task. I get to get my hands a little dirty this game coming down in these run fits. I feel like I know what's coming, I'm more aware of what the offense is wanting to do, and that's going to allow me to play a little bit faster, so I'm looking forward to this game.
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"I'm excited, just to be able to show that's something I can do. I'm not the biggest safety, so being able to show that I can do that and play a physical game and be one of the most physical players on the field, that's something I want to show I can do."
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At this point of the season, the Rams are relatively healthy at the spot, save for Henry Blackburn, who has been limited as of late. Still, Francis is healthy, and so is Logan Stewart and Jack Howell. Those three in rotation have all played well, and all have started games. Howell, in most metrics, is no longer a true freshman, though it will be his first look at Air Force.
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They've also been productive. Francis is third on the team with 59 tackles, and he's shown a penchant for sniffing out plays on the edge and breaking them up. Same with Howell, who is fifth on the team with 43 tackles. Stewart, who started all last season, made his first start of the season last and produced nine tackles.
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"I feel like we're in a good position with this safety rotation," Francis said. "At some point, we all have started. Whenever one comes out and one comes in, there's not a drop off in production, because we're all on the same page."
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Heater believes they all will be on Saturday. They've been in line with their assignments, which is an important start. The finish, he joked, also ranks up there.
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"They have to have their eye discipline," he said. "And you have to tackle them, too."
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As a safety, the Colorado State junior still has responsibilities in the run and pass game, so that part doesn't change. What does is the frequency he'll be on alert for one over the other. The run game becomes more of a primary concern when Air Force is on the schedule.
Â
"Football really doesn't change," Francis said. "It's run, pass, play-action. Every offense has play-action in their game, in their repertoire, so you always want to be alert for it, but we most definitely want to be alert for it. The one time you could be wrong will be the one time you get hit by this type of offense. You have to make sure you're honed in on your details and your assignment every snap. The moment you slip could be very explosive in this type of game."
Â
In each of the past three meetings, the Falcons have at least one touchdown pass against the Rams. In 2019, the Falcons threw three in the win. In 2017, Air Force only threw four passes, but one was for a score.
Â
Air Force has been very adept at hitting the Rams through the air when the defense is vulnerable, which is what defensive coordinator Chuck Heater saw when he went back and watched film of the prior meeting.
Â
"That's how they beat people. If you do a good job of defending them, and then they're going to resort to the other parts they do," he said. "Two years ago, we played great against them, but they beat us late on some passes. That's their M.O., so you have to be ready for that as well. They do a great job. They know what they're doing."
Â
In turn, so must the Rams.
Â
Discipline is the key, because with an added role in the run defense, the safeties are still the last line of defense in the passing game.
Â
"It's just a different approach, a different mindset," Francis said. "I look at it like it's a task. This is just a task. I get to get my hands a little dirty this game coming down in these run fits. I feel like I know what's coming, I'm more aware of what the offense is wanting to do, and that's going to allow me to play a little bit faster, so I'm looking forward to this game.
Â
"I'm excited, just to be able to show that's something I can do. I'm not the biggest safety, so being able to show that I can do that and play a physical game and be one of the most physical players on the field, that's something I want to show I can do."
Â
At this point of the season, the Rams are relatively healthy at the spot, save for Henry Blackburn, who has been limited as of late. Still, Francis is healthy, and so is Logan Stewart and Jack Howell. Those three in rotation have all played well, and all have started games. Howell, in most metrics, is no longer a true freshman, though it will be his first look at Air Force.
Â
They've also been productive. Francis is third on the team with 59 tackles, and he's shown a penchant for sniffing out plays on the edge and breaking them up. Same with Howell, who is fifth on the team with 43 tackles. Stewart, who started all last season, made his first start of the season last and produced nine tackles.
Â
"I feel like we're in a good position with this safety rotation," Francis said. "At some point, we all have started. Whenever one comes out and one comes in, there's not a drop off in production, because we're all on the same page."
Â
Heater believes they all will be on Saturday. They've been in line with their assignments, which is an important start. The finish, he joked, also ranks up there.
Â
"They have to have their eye discipline," he said. "And you have to tackle them, too."
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