Monday Presser: Starting New With Conference Play

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Pulling together and moving forward.

Through a series of players leaving, with Colorado State Jay Norvell saying the latest to exit the program was running back David Bailey, the roster is trimmed down. To some it may not seem ideal, but Norvell said it may be what sparks this team as it finally begins Mountain West play this week on the road at Nevada on Friday night.

"I think we had some kids who weren't really committed to what we were doing and a lot of them were starters; a lot of kids who had played a lot of football here," Norvell said at his weekly press conference on Monday. "We're down to 68 scholarship players, and I think we're in a much better place as a football team. I think the locker room is a lot closer, I think guys are pulling for each other and leading each other, and in many ways, we're starting fresh with a brand new football team, and I think these guys are going to band together and play hard for each other.

"That's what I'm looking forward to seeing. We've got a lot of young kids who are exciting. We're going to have two freshman receivers probably start, possibly a freshman quarterback start. We've got a lot of young guys and it's all in front of them. We can still accomplish a lot of our goals, but it's how we play in the conference."

The bye week gave the remaining players another chance to bond, grow and correct issues which have plagued the team in an 0-4 start. Defensive tackle Devin Phillips sees it in the energy on the defensive side in practice, and he feels they are working out at a faster pace.

Offensive lineman Jacob Gardner, who has been part of a group which has started a new unit each game, used meetings as his sign of coming together. People are now very open to holding teammates accountable, which he said is absolutely necessary, as is the fact no one can take it personally so growth can occur. Practice has intent with focus on details.

There's nothing any of them can do about the players who left the program. Those behind feel they can still accomplish a great many things.

"We still have the guys who are still here and are dedicated to the team and want to work with the guys who are still here and build something," Phillips said. "We just try to move forward. You give a lot of guys a lot of chances to show what they haven't shown since the spring or fall camp and get those reps, because a lot of guys haven't had a chance to play during the season. It's just giving the younger guys an opportunity to showcase their skills."

After four non-conference games followed by a bye, rebooting with Mountain West play affords a perfect launching point for the Rams. Most of the important goals they started the season with are still attainable, but only through change.

All of them being on the same page can help speed that along, Norvell said.

"I do think this. As kids leave, it's really defining the character and the personality of the guys that are here," he said. "They're bonding and they're stronger together because of it, and they're more like minded. Some of these guys have had three different coaches, and it's tough for them to try to do new things that we're asking them to do. With the transfer portal and guys trying to redshirt, it is what it is. We're excited to move forward, and the opportunity to play a new season is in front of us. We're excited about that, and that's what we're putting our energy into."

Just Another Game

Both teams had a bye last week, and Nevada coaches past and present spent some time talking about Jay Norvell's return to the area, some of it in detrimental tones. On the other end, Colorado State spent the bye week not getting involved in anything which was not part of them trying to improve.

Norvell referred to it all the talk from the other side as a "challenge," adding there are always challenges and most of them are not important. The fact he coached there isn't important, he said, just the fact his team gets to play.

And it's been that way behind the scenes, too.

"Totally. It's just another football game, those are just other guys in jerseys," tackle Jacob Gardner said. "We're there to play football. There's nothing outside of that."

As for him, a former two-year Nevada starter, does he look at it the same way?

"Yep," he said, then smiled.

"I'm just a football player; I want to play football. I'm not here to talk about anything else. It's a football game. It's just that simple."

Looks like the bulletin boards will remain empty.

Here and There

Colorado State leads the series with Nevada 12-5, with an 8-1 record at home. While the Rams are 4-3 in Reno, they have dropped two of the past three … CSU is one of three team which will finally jump into Mountain West play this week along with Fresno State and Hawaii … Tory Horton ranks first in the MW in receiving yards per game (106) and touchdown catches (5) and is second in receptions per game (5.75) … Norvell expects his team to be healthier. Quarterback Clay Millen is day-to-day, as is safety Jack Howell. Linemen Dante Bivens and Dontae Keys should be back, as could be running back A'Jon Vivens, Phillips and corner Greg Laday. Even still, the offense could be starting three freshmen.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results