Colorado State University Athletics
Setting the Stage: Nevada
10/6/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
Offense aims to get back to more aggressive nature
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The first four weeks were not what Jay Norvell expected.
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Colorado State's offense has not been the Air Raid as advertised, filled with explosive passing plays and piling up yardage and points. It came as no surprise Norvell had it high on his to-do list over the bye week to get the offense back to a more aggressive nature.
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The Rams rank last in the country in rushing offense at 46 yards per game, in part because they have yielded more sacks per contest (6.25) than anybody. The scoring offense of 1.08 points per game ranks 130th and the unit has not been explosive, outside of Tory Horton.
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Colorado State is 114th in the country in passing plays of 10 or more yards, 99th in explosive passes, 20 or more yards. Horton has some big hitters – three of 50 or more yards, making him tied for first in the country.
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For Norvell, it was about getting back to square one.
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"I think it's getting back to what we do and our basics and the fundamentals and foundations of what we're trying to teach. We do that every single day," Norvell said. "Really, the way we practice is so important, and it's really trying to be exact in everything we do. There's a lot of fundamentals in every play we use, and our kids are learning those.
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"It's been inconsistent because we've had different people in there every week, and the injuries have not helped. The more continuity we get and the more we practice with great fundamentals and effort, the better our foundation and execution gets."
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The offensive line combination has changed every week, and so have the playmakers. Not always due to injury but leaving the program. The player with the next longest reception behind Horton is running back Jaylen Thomas, 27 yards. Two other receivers had receptions of 20 or more yards, but they are no longer options.
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The wideouts of the most recent recruiting class are about to get a long, extended look and plenty of opportunity.
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A bit of attitude won't hurt which is what lineman Jacob Gardner has seen in the leadup to Friday's game at Nevada.
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"With scout team, it's getting a little bit rowdy out there. During practice, the emotions are flowing pretty heavy," Gardner said. "I think that plays a part into it. It's coming along for sure. It's been a point of emphasis this week. There hasn't been a day that's gone by where we haven't talked about being aggressive and being confident out there."
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Special Focus
Every position coach was to target three aspects of play they were to target for improvement. Norvell had three for the team and special teams was one of them. Overall, they have to get better. Ideally, they'd help make an impact.
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"I just think we haven't played at the level we're capable of," Norvell said. "Special teams have always been something that tilt the scales in our favor, and we just have to get more consistent play. We have a lot of guys doing good things on teams, but we just need a more collective effort. The preparation is so important. The details that we do … A lot of things we do on special teams are a little bit unique, so it takes a little time to grasp them. Once we grasp them, they're really effective. We like to move people on punt, we like to directional kick, we like to do things a lot of people don't do. As we build understanding on that and execution, we should start to see more productive play in that area."
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Getting Off the Field
Defensively, Colorado State has had issues getting off the field on third down. It's an area which has digressed each passing week, doing pretty well against Michigan (30 percent allowed) leading up to Sacramento State (67 percent success rate).
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It leaves the Rams 115th in the country at 46 percent overall. If undeterred, teams are 71.4 percent on fourth down.
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"It's probably just execution for the most part. Attention to detail, the small things," defensive lineman Devin Phillips said. "You see a little, see a lot for the most part. It's being able to do your 1/11th and focus in on doing your job, that's basically what it is. Doing your job and having trust that your brother next to you is going to get his job done. It's basically going out there and executing at the highest level possible."
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Nevada has had some issues offensively, producing 280.4 yards per game on offense, converting 36.3 percent of the time, 85th nationally.
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Colorado State's offense has not been the Air Raid as advertised, filled with explosive passing plays and piling up yardage and points. It came as no surprise Norvell had it high on his to-do list over the bye week to get the offense back to a more aggressive nature.
Â
The Rams rank last in the country in rushing offense at 46 yards per game, in part because they have yielded more sacks per contest (6.25) than anybody. The scoring offense of 1.08 points per game ranks 130th and the unit has not been explosive, outside of Tory Horton.
Â
Colorado State is 114th in the country in passing plays of 10 or more yards, 99th in explosive passes, 20 or more yards. Horton has some big hitters – three of 50 or more yards, making him tied for first in the country.
Â
For Norvell, it was about getting back to square one.
Â
"I think it's getting back to what we do and our basics and the fundamentals and foundations of what we're trying to teach. We do that every single day," Norvell said. "Really, the way we practice is so important, and it's really trying to be exact in everything we do. There's a lot of fundamentals in every play we use, and our kids are learning those.
Â
"It's been inconsistent because we've had different people in there every week, and the injuries have not helped. The more continuity we get and the more we practice with great fundamentals and effort, the better our foundation and execution gets."
Â
The offensive line combination has changed every week, and so have the playmakers. Not always due to injury but leaving the program. The player with the next longest reception behind Horton is running back Jaylen Thomas, 27 yards. Two other receivers had receptions of 20 or more yards, but they are no longer options.
Â
The wideouts of the most recent recruiting class are about to get a long, extended look and plenty of opportunity.
Â
A bit of attitude won't hurt which is what lineman Jacob Gardner has seen in the leadup to Friday's game at Nevada.
Â
"With scout team, it's getting a little bit rowdy out there. During practice, the emotions are flowing pretty heavy," Gardner said. "I think that plays a part into it. It's coming along for sure. It's been a point of emphasis this week. There hasn't been a day that's gone by where we haven't talked about being aggressive and being confident out there."
Â
Special Focus
Every position coach was to target three aspects of play they were to target for improvement. Norvell had three for the team and special teams was one of them. Overall, they have to get better. Ideally, they'd help make an impact.
Â
"I just think we haven't played at the level we're capable of," Norvell said. "Special teams have always been something that tilt the scales in our favor, and we just have to get more consistent play. We have a lot of guys doing good things on teams, but we just need a more collective effort. The preparation is so important. The details that we do … A lot of things we do on special teams are a little bit unique, so it takes a little time to grasp them. Once we grasp them, they're really effective. We like to move people on punt, we like to directional kick, we like to do things a lot of people don't do. As we build understanding on that and execution, we should start to see more productive play in that area."
Â
Getting Off the Field
Defensively, Colorado State has had issues getting off the field on third down. It's an area which has digressed each passing week, doing pretty well against Michigan (30 percent allowed) leading up to Sacramento State (67 percent success rate).
Â
It leaves the Rams 115th in the country at 46 percent overall. If undeterred, teams are 71.4 percent on fourth down.
Â
"It's probably just execution for the most part. Attention to detail, the small things," defensive lineman Devin Phillips said. "You see a little, see a lot for the most part. It's being able to do your 1/11th and focus in on doing your job, that's basically what it is. Doing your job and having trust that your brother next to you is going to get his job done. It's basically going out there and executing at the highest level possible."
Â
Nevada has had some issues offensively, producing 280.4 yards per game on offense, converting 36.3 percent of the time, 85th nationally.
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Players Mentioned
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Weekly Press Conference - Week 5 (2025)
Monday, September 29
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Post-Game (Washington State, 2025)
Saturday, September 27
Colorado State Football: Karas (L) and Evans (R) Postgame (Washington State, 2025)
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Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Weekly Press Conference - Week 4 (2025)
Monday, September 22