What We Saw: Eagerly Awaiting a New Start

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Sep 5

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vs Wyoming

Sep 12

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vs Southern Utah

Sep 19

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vs BYU

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at UTSA

Oct 3

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vs Oregon State

The record is not what any of them want. As far as where it stands as a team, Colorado State is ready to do battle with the Mountain West after this upcoming bye week.

"I don't like our record. That just sticks on you," coach Steve Addazio said after the loss to No. 5 Iowa. "But the growth, where our team is right now, yeah, I like where our team is right now. I just wish we were where we are right now obviously with a better record."

After an eye-opening loss the first week to South Dakota State, a contest where neither the offensive or defensive fronts lived up to Addazio's physical liking, the same has not been the case the past three weeks. After limiting Toledo to measly rushing output, the Rams did the same thing this week against an vaunted Iowa offensive line, allowing just 1.7 yards per carry, just 54 yards on the ground overall.

The Rams' running game looked better against Toledo, as David Bailey rushed for 134 yards. He was injured on his first carry in Iowa City, and the Rams were limited, as expected, but still pounded out more than 100 yards on the ground.

The physical nature this team wants, it's starting to take shape.

"I think we've been a tough team, and were showing that on the film," defensive end Scott Patchan said. "People are going to turn on the film and see a tough-coached team, so I'm excited for conference play."

What the Rams still want – a conference championship and postseason play – can all still be achieved. A 1-3 record at the start doesn't look good, but it can also be erased by a strong finish.

The improvements the Rams have seen – and the ones they still need to make – can provide the desired finish.

The Rams still want to clean up the back end defensively, as Iowa's explosive plays came through the air – five plays of 20 yards or longer, including a pair which covered 40-plus. There have been signs of growth there, too, as true freshman Jack Howell has started the past two games at safety and played well, and true freshman corner Robert Floyd made a big play Saturday.

The Rams see it all adding up to a rejuvenated team come conference play.

"I believe full, true-heartedly, that this is a really good football team," tight end Trey McBride said. "We have all the keys, all the pieces. We're coached hard, everyone's buying in, and you kinda saw it today. We're not supposed to be in that game, and we're right there. I fully believe all the goals we still have are still in front of us going into conference play.

"I'm really happy how this team played, and I'm excited to see how they can bounce back against San Jose State in a couple of weeks."

Bounce Back

After a shanked punt gave Colorado State great field position it turned into a touchdown to tie the game last in the second quarter, Iowa threatened to take it all back.

On the Hawkeyes' first offensive play of the drive, Spencer Petras hit a deep ball to Keegan Johnson for 49 yards, setting the home team up deep in CSU territory. It was Floyd who was beaten, but four plays later, he had his revenge.

He stepped in front of a Petras offering and took it 62 yards, setting up the Rams in prime position, which they turned into a go-ahead touchdown pass from Todd Centeio to Gary Williams.

Cornerbacks are often left on an island, and they will get beat. But the youngster didn't let it linger and gave the Rams life.

"He's a guy that doesn't' say much. He's a walk-on, puts his head down and works every day, and I have a lot of respect for him," McBride said. "He gives up a big shot, then two, three plays later he gets a pick for 60 yards or whatever. He's a guy who's tough, and you can't let those big plays get to you, and he didn't. I was really excited and happy for him, and I'm excited that hopefully we can get that kid on scholarship because he's a hell of a player, and we don't want to lose him."

Here and There

The bye week creates a perfect split between non-conference and conference, and the week off should aid a key effort for the Rams, and that's healing. Dante Wright has missed the past two weeks, eliminating a key weapon in the attack. Running back David Bailey is a concern, as he'd been carrying the load in a rushing game trying to find its footing. Defensively, Tywan Francis returned at safety, but Henry Blackburn missed the game. There are others – Addazio mentioned McBride played hurt – who can benefit from less wear and tear. … San Jose State is 2-2, but has already had a bye week and will face New Mexico State this weekend. The Spartans are 1-0 in conference with a victory over Hawaii.

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