Summer of Intent Keeps Rams Moving Forward

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Move forward, every day.

For Jay Norvell, that's the key for his Colorado State football team in fall camp. Get better each day at practice, then be even better the next. Learn the technique, then know it so well it becomes muscle memory. Take your keys and reads, understand them and go from thinking about what to do to making it a reactionary decision.

In 15 spring practices, Norvell and his debut staff force-fed the players on hand new systems and concepts. Then after months at bay – at least physically under watchful coaching – the Rams returned to the field again on Friday to do it all again.

Best yet, they moved forward.

"I think we're different. I think we have a better understanding," Norvell said. "This day is light years from our first practice in the spring. Just the repetitions in the summer, the understanding of the concepts, the kids are way more comfortable and confident in what we're doing."

They could feel it and the coaches could see it. Not necessarily across the board, as there were plenty of new faces to acclimate to what was taught in the spring. Then again, the required teaching isn't quite as much as one would think.

The team has been around since June, even the freshmen, working with the strength and conditioning staff to be ready for the rigors of camp, but also with their teammates. There were captain's practices where the players were coaching each other. They could keep an eye on each other, and if a younger player saw an elder take a misstep, they were expected to address it. All hands on deck, all eyes focused.

It helped with the cohesion of the group, not just getting timing down but getting to know each other. Returners could explain what tempo would be expected and how to move on the field from period to period.

"Over summer, we were able to run player-run practices and we were able to organize that and run 7-on-7 with the defense," quarterback Clay Millen said. "I think that helps the offense and defense both. The defense gets a ton of reps against our offense, and we throw it a ton, and our offense gets a ton of reps against our defense. It makes it better on better. We lifted, we got strong, so it was a good summer overall.

"I think summer, that's a really an important time. As a team, you get to come together. You've got to really get ready for the season, and I think being there in the summer and doing 7-on-7 helped us be ready for today."

Wide receiver Tory Horton said the summer practices put everybody on the same level. They all had to be coaches, and as players, none of them are perfect. He may have a host of games under his belt, but it doesn't mean he will always run a 12-yard route at the right depth. A freshman, waiting for his rep may see a yard too short or a long too long, and he's expected to point it out.

Horton said he wants the feedback – needs the feedback – because the timing of the passing game must be precise. And sometimes, the corrections coming from a teammate carry more weight. Besides, they help build the overall character of the team, as they are all expected to hold each other accountable on and off the field.

"Those (practices) are very important. It's always important when you have players to coach other players," he said. "It's about respect. A team is only going to be as strong as their weakest link, so us going out there and coaching, seeing that we respect each other … Sometimes I'm being told by other players, and they'll be like, you told Tory … Tell me. We need that. There's no, 'you can't tell him this, you can't tell him that.' We're the same."

The group used the summer to set themselves up for success on opening day. What it showed Norvell was it was important to the players. A coaching staff can tell if a team has or has not put in the required work, and this set of Rams did.

When they reported on Thursday, the day included meetings, which were used to go back over everything again mentally. A refresher course, if you will, and defensive lineman Devin Phillips said that also helped. When the alarm rang for Friday, he felt ready.

He saw his teammates were, too.

"It was pretty easy to fall back in line. It's very encouraging," Phillips said. "Even though we still had time off from not actually playing football, we got together with the D-linemen, and we still went over plays every now and then to keep a refresher of what to expect, what you should be doing and get a feel for what your job is leading up the first day in camp."

The program has not been to a bowl game since 2017, and the last bowl victory came 2013 when the Rams shocked Washington State at the end of the New Mexico Bowl, scoring 18 points in the final 2:52 of the contest.

That's what Norvell inherited, but what he built in Nevada has produced four bowl appearances in as many years with two victories. That's what they know and what they're trying to get to here. Early in camp, he sees a team working with the same vision.

He also sees there is so much to cover. His Rams must practice with better tempo. They need more reps, which they will get. That's also why, he said, they have fall camp. They wouldn't be out there if they didn't need it, but you still take the time to see what's moving forward.

His team did by making it a goal.

"I'm excited. This first day of practice in fall camp is usually better than you think it's going to be because of all the work they've done in the summer," Norvell said. "They've been working on this stuff on their own; the coaches have not been around them. They've been working these plays and these schemes, and they're way more comfortable with them. When they make them personal and they become their own plays, that's when you really start to get good, and that only comes from practice and repetition."

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