Colorado State University Athletics
A Calmer Millen Has a Big Appetite
8/29/2023 2:00:00 PM | Football
Sophomore QB feels better equipped for second season
FORT COLLINS – This year will be different.
Â
Before a game, Clay Millen should be able to eat. And keep it down.
Â
"No, I'll be fine," the sophomore quarterback said with a smile. "I feel a lot more relaxed than last year. I'm excited. I feel way more comfortable. It's not my first start as a redshirt freshman against Michigan. It's a lot different this year. I feel really relaxed and I'm excited."
Â
Millen was in his first year as a starter last season at the most scrutinized position on the field. He started 10 of 12 games (he missed two due to injury), completing 169-of-234 passes for 1,910 yards with 10 touchdowns against six interceptions. His 72.2 completion percentage was not only a school record, but an NCAA mark for freshmen.
Â
Behind him, the Rams averaged just 13.2 points per game, a far cry from what the Air Raid offense expects. The issues were not all Millen related, to be sure, but he'd be the first to tell you he was a contributing factor.
Â
He just needed to settle in, which is what quarterbacks coach Matt Mumme has seen, calling it Millen's most important improvement.
Â
"Really, his calmness and his understanding of knowledge of the offense," Mumme said. "He's way ahead of where he was last year. I'm excited to see him put it into action."
Â
He'll face a big school Saturday, Washington State. But the Cougars are not in the top five, the game isn't on the road, and this is no longer his first rodeo. It's also a team he's faced before.
Â
Past experiences were a big part of what Millen looked at in the offseason, a way to direct his performance in an upward trajectory. There were the basic nuances of foot work and throwing technique, but the big-picture items were vital for his development.
Â
He had to see the game, and see it for what it was, really.
Â
"My first couple of starts, I took college as more than it really is. Still, at the end of the day it's a game," Millen said. "I'm competitive and I want to win, but I think I was a little bit too tense at the beginning of the season. The first couple of games, I was too uptight about everything, and I wasn't really having fun. Obviously losing games wasn't fun, but I felt like when I came back after my injury, I started to pull stress off my shoulders. I prepared the same, but I feel like mentally I was a lot more relaxed, more comfortable. Going into this year, I feel the same way.
Â
"I feel like last year I had a pretty good understanding of the offense. I think the biggest difference between this year and last year is I know more about the offense, but I know more about opposing defenses. I feel the game has slowed down when I'm in the pocket, I'm seeing things differently. Things are open to me this year I wouldn't see as open last year. I feel things have slowed down and things are a lot easier."
A Washington State defense returning a host of starters will test him out of the chute. Norvell knows this and has just some basic asks of his second-year starter – to compete and lead. That, and score points.
Â
Playing the role of leading man is a fact of his life which is starting to grow on Millen, and his teammates are seeing a change. Center Jacob Gardner noted two aspects, neither of which has to do with hitting a crossing route.
Â
Communication and leadership.
Â
"Last year, I think there was some second-guessing. It was his first year," Gardner said. "I think Norvell and Mumme have talked to him a lot about being able to go out there and be the commander of the offense, and I feel he's getting better every day.
Â
"For example, (Monday) our tempo period, it was time to go fast. He was, 'alright boys, it's time to go,' and every play he was on us, making sure we were getting set."
Â
More importantly, Millen is feeling more confident. It stems from his increased understanding of the system and what defenses like to attack. It is bolstered by the additions on the offensive line, at tight end and even receiver. He's not perfect, but he's working toward the goal.
Â
He's also hungry. For wins and the overall success of the program. Just this year, he won't be starving when he takes the first snap.
Â
Â
Before a game, Clay Millen should be able to eat. And keep it down.
Â
"No, I'll be fine," the sophomore quarterback said with a smile. "I feel a lot more relaxed than last year. I'm excited. I feel way more comfortable. It's not my first start as a redshirt freshman against Michigan. It's a lot different this year. I feel really relaxed and I'm excited."
Â
Millen was in his first year as a starter last season at the most scrutinized position on the field. He started 10 of 12 games (he missed two due to injury), completing 169-of-234 passes for 1,910 yards with 10 touchdowns against six interceptions. His 72.2 completion percentage was not only a school record, but an NCAA mark for freshmen.
Â
Behind him, the Rams averaged just 13.2 points per game, a far cry from what the Air Raid offense expects. The issues were not all Millen related, to be sure, but he'd be the first to tell you he was a contributing factor.
Â
He just needed to settle in, which is what quarterbacks coach Matt Mumme has seen, calling it Millen's most important improvement.
Â
"Really, his calmness and his understanding of knowledge of the offense," Mumme said. "He's way ahead of where he was last year. I'm excited to see him put it into action."
Â
He'll face a big school Saturday, Washington State. But the Cougars are not in the top five, the game isn't on the road, and this is no longer his first rodeo. It's also a team he's faced before.
Â
Past experiences were a big part of what Millen looked at in the offseason, a way to direct his performance in an upward trajectory. There were the basic nuances of foot work and throwing technique, but the big-picture items were vital for his development.
Â
He had to see the game, and see it for what it was, really.
Â
"My first couple of starts, I took college as more than it really is. Still, at the end of the day it's a game," Millen said. "I'm competitive and I want to win, but I think I was a little bit too tense at the beginning of the season. The first couple of games, I was too uptight about everything, and I wasn't really having fun. Obviously losing games wasn't fun, but I felt like when I came back after my injury, I started to pull stress off my shoulders. I prepared the same, but I feel like mentally I was a lot more relaxed, more comfortable. Going into this year, I feel the same way.
Â
"I feel like last year I had a pretty good understanding of the offense. I think the biggest difference between this year and last year is I know more about the offense, but I know more about opposing defenses. I feel the game has slowed down when I'm in the pocket, I'm seeing things differently. Things are open to me this year I wouldn't see as open last year. I feel things have slowed down and things are a lot easier."
A Washington State defense returning a host of starters will test him out of the chute. Norvell knows this and has just some basic asks of his second-year starter – to compete and lead. That, and score points.
Â
Playing the role of leading man is a fact of his life which is starting to grow on Millen, and his teammates are seeing a change. Center Jacob Gardner noted two aspects, neither of which has to do with hitting a crossing route.
Â
Communication and leadership.
Â
"Last year, I think there was some second-guessing. It was his first year," Gardner said. "I think Norvell and Mumme have talked to him a lot about being able to go out there and be the commander of the offense, and I feel he's getting better every day.
Â
"For example, (Monday) our tempo period, it was time to go fast. He was, 'alright boys, it's time to go,' and every play he was on us, making sure we were getting set."
Â
More importantly, Millen is feeling more confident. It stems from his increased understanding of the system and what defenses like to attack. It is bolstered by the additions on the offensive line, at tight end and even receiver. He's not perfect, but he's working toward the goal.
Â
He's also hungry. For wins and the overall success of the program. Just this year, he won't be starving when he takes the first snap.
Â
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
QB
/ FootballColorado State Football: Long (L) and Tangelo (R) Post-Game (Fresno State, 2025)
Saturday, October 11
Colorado State Football: Beers (L) and Brousseau (R) Post-Game (Fresno State, 2025)
Saturday, October 11
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Post-Game (Fresno State, 2025)
Saturday, October 11
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Weekly Press Conference - Week 6 (2025)
Tuesday, October 07