Monday Presser: Norvell Puts Six Players on Scholarship

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Jay Norvell had to change the timing, but he wasn't about to change his mind when it came to the future of six of his players.

The Colorado State put six players on scholarship over the weekend, letting each of them know individually on Sunday, then spreading the news in front of the entire team in a meeting on Monday. A trio of Colorado products -- Keegan Holles, Keegan Hamilton and Drew Kulick – as well as kickers Michael Boyle and Henry Katleman, and safety Ayden Hector.

Norvell had hoped to make the announcements on Saturday night, but the mood wasn't right.

"We brought them in individually. I had their position coach and coach Jordon Simmons in there with me, and Lucas Gauthier, our personnel guy, and we just wanted to tell them how much we appreciate their effort," Norvell said Monday at his weekly press conference. "I think that's a way we can let them know they're valued in the program, that they're worthy and their hard work is appreciated. Today I made them all stand up in a team meeting, and that was pretty cool we could celebrate it together."

The moment is special for Norvell, who noted he did so for 15 players in five years at Nevada, some of them becoming team captains and even NFL players.

For the players, it's a rather emotional time. Hector said Norvell "strongly hinted" to him a few weeks back he was going to put a few players on scholarship at the end of the season, so while the timing was a bit of a surprise, the impact the announcement had was not.

"It was a great feeling. There's nothing like that … There are very few things like that, knowing my parents are going to be happy and stuff," Hector said. "It being told in front of the whole team and everyone cheering for me, I almost teared up. I'll admit it, I almost teared up. It was a good moment, and just knowing the team was so happy for us really showed how much we're starting to mend together as a family."

For Norvell, the announcement was also a message to those inside the state borders. Hamilton and Kulick have started games this season, and Holles has become part of the offensive package at times with certain plays. Norvell wants the state to be a major resource for the program but noted careers don't always start out as dreamed.

"I also just want to remind the in-state players and the in-state coaches, sometimes you don't always get a scholarship coming out of high school, or you don't get the scholarship you want," he said. "We want to build this program on quality in-state players; those guys are always on scholarship initially."

Limited Time Only

Not exactly Ripley's Believe It Or Not, but Air Force, the Mountain West team with the most offensive yards and the best yardage per play and leads the nation in rushing also leads the nation in time of possession, 35:50 per game.

Doesn't exactly give opposing offensive play callers a lot to work with, as Norvell is very well aware.

"You have to understand the game. Some games, you can play fast, some games you can't," Norvell said. "Some games you have to recognize what the other team is doing. It's going to be important for us to control the ball, get first downs and to finish drives. I think that's what's incredibly important in this game, and to be efficient and start well. I think that's important as well."

One of the drawbacks to coming to Colorado State was having to coach against Air Force every year, not just in two-year cycles. He noted every game between the Wolf Pack and Falcons was a dogfight, all three decided by three or fewer points, with Nevada losing twice. Last year, the two teams played three overtimes.

"Yeah, it's part of the deal," Norvell said. "I always tell coach Troy Calhoun, I really like you a lot, I just don't like playing your team."

Here and There

Tory Horton leads the Mountain West in receiving yards per game at 96.5 and yards per catch at 16.6. He has 965 yards on the season total, and his 58 receptions are the second most in the league. He leads the conference with four 100-yard receiving efforts and has three of the top five receiving games … Jack Howell still leads the MW in tackles per game at 10.78. He and teammate Ayden Hector are tied for third in the league with three interceptions each. … Mohamed Kamara is second in the league in tackles for loss with 14 … Saturday's game features the top two running backs in rushing yards in conference-only games; Brad Roberts of Air Force leads with 710 (118.3 per), while Avery Morrow is second at 661 (110.2 per)

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