Monday Presser: Hornets Ranked Sixth as They Visit Canvas Stadium

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. – There used to be a time when scheduling an FCS team was done by programs to pad the win column. Now it's done with risk.

The top teams in the division are making it a regular habit of knocking off FBS teams these days, and Colorado State has felt the sting. While the program is 7-3 overall in the past 10 matchups, the Rams are just 2-2 in the latest four.

"They're definitely growing, and we're not going to downplay this matchup by any means. We're going to treat them like we do every other team," CSU cornerback Chigozie Anusiem said. "FCS football is growing, and it's just exciting to see for the sport of football."

Sacramento State comes in this week to Canvas Stadium, ranked No. 6 in the latest FCS polls. The Hornets went undefeated in conference play a year ago, getting bounced in the first round of the FCS playoffs to eventual runner-up South Dakota State, a defense led by now CSU defensive coordinator Freddie Banks. The Hornets have lost their past four matchups to FBS schools, but each has been a narrow loss.

Sacramento State uses two quarterbacks, each of whom brings something different in the offense to go with a strong run game. Norvell is impressed with what the program has been able to do in the past few seasons.

"There's a lot of good football teams out there, and a lot at the FCS level," he said. "This is a team that went undefeated in their conference last year. We know coach (Troy) Taylor. They've been building that program; he used to coach at Folsom High School, and we used to recruit that high school in Northern California. Really quality coaches, and they do a great job of teaching, and their team has responded. They're in year four, they've built their culture and they're playing well."

More Opportunities

Norvell announced during the press conference receiver Melquan Stovall has decided to leave the team, becoming the second receiver in as many weeks, joining Dante Wright. Stovall was second on the team with 13 receptions for 106 yards.

What it will do is allow for more opportunities for younger receivers on the team, a group Norvell said he wants to get more action as they progress.

The first one to get substantial reps in a game was Justus Ross-Simmons, who netted his first career touchdown with a 14-yard catch, fighting for the end zone in the fourth quarter. It was the game where he made his first career start, finishing with three receptions for 20 yards.

Also in his class are Louis Brown and Mekhi Fox, both of whom Norvell said continue to improve. Count Anusiem as someone else who's been impressed.
"They came in pretty twitchy, and they were kind of impressive," Anusiem said of the trio of freshman wideouts. "Every day they've been getting better obviously going against the ones and getting reps against the twos, too. I'm excited to see them go crazy in a game."

Transfer of Preparation

Norvell said what ails his team most in the first three games is the ability to take what they do into practice to a game. He noted the game plan last week was one of the simplest his staff has employed for a game, but execution and mental errors continued to plague them.

For him, he said it's something that develops over time, but the team is definitely in need a breakthrough soon. He mentioned Mohamed Kamara and Jacob Gardner and how hard they play all the time, in practice and in games. That effort, he feels, will start to have a ripple effect.

"We practice these things over and over and over again, then we get in the game … The first three series of the game, both sides of the ball, there were errors we did in practice over and over and over again," he said. "There's a mental disconnect. When you can't do the things in practice in the game that we do over and over again, that's all we ask them to do. Then you're thinking about things besides playing , and you're letting outside influences affect your thought process.

"We try to make them accountable for that, so we have to do a better job. We have some demons we're trying to exorcise from this locker room, and it just doesn't happen in one day."

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