Setting the Stage: Toledo

Colorado State (0-2) at Toledo (1-1)
Glass Bowl | Toledo, Ohio
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2 p.m. (MT)

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Rams Hit Road for First Time in 2021

He doesn't remember the particulars. They don't matter, really. But he does remember the anger he felt when it happened.

Two years ago, Toledo came to Fort Collins and compiled 436 yards rushing on 46 carries in a 41-35 victory over the Rams. Bryant Koback rushed for 228 yards for the Rockets, including a 75-yard jailbreak touchdown. Quarterback Mitchell Guadagni added 119 more himself, as the two combined for four touchdowns on the ground as Toledo averaged 9.5 yards per carry in the game.

That's why the particulars don't matter. However they did it, defensive lineman Ellison Hubbard knows the Rams can't let them do it again as they hit the road for the first time in 2021 this Saturday.

"I don't like to remember that," Hubbard said. "I don't really remember what happened two years ago, I just remember the amount of yards they gained. I'm sure they look a lot better, and they do look very good. They know how to run the ball. Just remembering two years ago when we should have beat them, now's the time to go out there and beat them."

Guadagni is gone, but Koback is, and he is off to another fine start to his season. He has 166 yards on the ground in two games, hitting Notre Dame for 114 a week ago. The Rockets are employing a two-quarterback system, with Dequan Finn the running component with 11 rushes for 106 yards.

What the Rams have going for them is a bit of confidence. They limited Vanderbilt to 104 yards on the ground last week, averaging just 2.8 a carry. It was a return back to the 2020 form, when the Rams were only allowing 108.5 yards per game rushing.

"We have a lot of confidence knowing we stopped the run last week, and they do kind of the same things – zones, stretches and reads," Hubbard said. "We're confident in this, and we have to pick up on everything they're doing. The only difference is this team is going to do a lot of different blocking schemes when it comes to the zones, the reads and stretches. We're not too worried about it, because we know we can stop the run."

And for those who can recall two years ago, there's an added emphasis. The contest featured more than 1,200 yards of total offense, with Colorado State falling 6 yards shy of the 700 mark. The Rams also had a back rush for 246 yards in the game, but it didn't add up in their favor.

Remembering just that is enough.

"I feel more inspired to meet that challenge," Hubbard said. "We have to continue to stop the run and continue improve, because we've always been seen as the worst run-stopping defense. Now's the time to improve and show everyone we can stop the run and no one is really going to run on us."

Growing Up

A pair of targeting infractions and some lingering injury concerns have led the defensive staff to step up preparations for a host of younger players, some of whom may even be needed to start Saturday. The next-man-up mentality is now center stage, and head coach Steve Addazio hopes that's getting through in practice.

"I don't know about that," he quipped. "I don't know what they understand, but they've got some talent and we're trying to get those talented guys going toward the future."

Linebacker Tavian Brown and safety Logan Stewart both have to sit out the first game. Stewart, who was dealing with an injury in camp, had been playing in a reserve role the first two weeks, snapping a streak of 16 consecutive starts for him. He had been replaced by Tywan Francis, who leads the team with 20 tackles, but he is dinged up and Addazio said the team is waiting on a clearer picture about his availability. In that role, true safety Jack Howell and transfer Titus Jones have seen increased practice reps.

When it comes to Brown, Addazio said Chase Wilson would be next in line. Brown is not on the field in nickel and dime packages, leaving some options open in how the Rams approach the Rockets defensively.

So far, the work Addazio has seen put in has been good.

"They go out and make some plays. It's fun to watch them," he said. "They're getting some reps and getting involve in the mix, and I enjoy watching them do that."

Here and There

The Rams and Toledo have played three times, and this will be the second meeting in Ohio. The first one was back in 1970. … Bypassing the nature of COVID implications in 2020, this will be the latest the Rams have played their first true road game since 2016, when then went to Minnesota for a Sept. 24 contest. … Eliminating penalties has been a big topic of conversation for the Rams. Addazio said the pass interference calls have to do with using better technique, which was being addressed in practice. The silly penalties – unsportsmanlike conduct and jumping offside – have be addressed by playing smarter and being more focused. … Addazio said he didn't believe Cayden Camper missed a kick in camp, but with three in a row off target – one was good, but wiped out by a penalty, leading to a miss – the team has tried to create more chaos around him during practice.

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Tavian Brown

Cayden Camper

Tywan Francis

Jack Howell

Titus Jones

Logan Stewart

Chase Wilson

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