Colorado State University Athletics
First Scrimmage Helps Set a Base Moving Forward
8/9/2023 12:43:00 PM | Football
Newcomers Johnson, Jones impress in outing
FORT COLLINS – Basic by design, Wednesday's first scrimmage of fall camp was also Colorado State's first in full pads.
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It offered the chance to see if the veterans had added polish to their games, if the large host of newcomers had become in tune with alignment and assignment. In deeper detail, a chance to see if the offensive line was more in step as one and if the new group of running backs behind them could evade contact as well as run through it.
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"I think so. We really just wanted to see guys block and tackle," CSU head coach Jay Norvell said. "It's been a long time since we've tackled anybody live and run the ball live, ball security and all that. I wanted to see some of the new running backs and new linemen.
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"It was good work. Saw some good things; obviously saw some things we've got to do."
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The one drawback Norvell mentioned was a few of those younger backs put the ball on the ground. As he noted, in the opener, ball security will be a key in determining the outcome.
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What did stand out was the ability of North Dakota State transfer Kobe Johnson. He brings with him more than 2,500 yards of production with him, and he broke a few big runs on the day he was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list.
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In short, his performance showed he's getting in synch with the system.
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"Coming in this summer, the guys did a great job getting me up to speed. Van Schield and guys like that who have been in the room for awhile kinda helping bring me along with the plays and all that and allowing me to get my legs under myself," Johnson said. "It's a big difference. Where I came from, it was really slow. We liked to huddle and really take our time running plays. Here there's more tempo to it and would say where I fit to it is the speed element, I bring myself and how fast the offense moves, catching defenses off guard with our tempo. A guy like me with speed out of the backfield, which can be really damaging."
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The running back room is retooled with additional bodies. Pair that with all the new faces blocking, the Rams focused more on running the ball.
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Norvell like what he saw – with the one exception – an extension of what he's witnessed in camp.
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"Kobe is going to be a really good player for us. He's just so natural at the position," Norvell said. "He has experience, and he understands how to run. I really like Damian Henderson; he's a physical back going through the hole. I wanted to see him carry the ball a little bit today. KJ Edwards has done a good job in practice; he had one on the ground today, but those guys have a little juice to them, and they can make big plays when we get them in space."
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For a defense which has placed an emphasis on creating turnovers, the result was exactly as scripted. For a group looking to take the next step, forcing turnovers has to be part of the equation.
Throughout the day, the group made it tough for the offense to move the ball with any consistency. Nickle Ayden Hector explained the unit, which has eight returning starters, has advanced conversations with defensive coordinator Freddie Banks from base understanding to reading an offense better.
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Talks which can lead to faster play and more turnovers.
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"We've been taking the ball away a lot in this camp, and obviously that's the goal, to get the ball back," Hector said. "We've really emphasized getting the ball back; the staff has emphasized that to us. We've really worked on, and we've been flying to the ball and once you fly to the ball, the offense doesn't really know what to do. They might get scared, whatever, and that's what we want."
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A Â newcomer to the defense who made his presence felt was cornerback Dom Jones, who broke up a few passes and stepped in front of an errant one and returned it for a score. He's tall and long and used all of it to his advantage.
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Him being 6-foot-2, paired up with Chigozie Anusiem at 6-1, Norvell wondered if the Rams may be the tallest team at corner in the country. Without question, Hector said he fits into the equation the defense has built, that of being big and fast.
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As the staff looks to fill in gaps, Norvell  felt the performance of kicker Jordan Noyes gave him confidence after he drilled a few kicks.
Â
Thursday presents another first for the team, a day off. The Rams return to practice on Friday and will continue through next Wednesday, which stands as the second scrimmage of camp.
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It offered the chance to see if the veterans had added polish to their games, if the large host of newcomers had become in tune with alignment and assignment. In deeper detail, a chance to see if the offensive line was more in step as one and if the new group of running backs behind them could evade contact as well as run through it.
Â
"I think so. We really just wanted to see guys block and tackle," CSU head coach Jay Norvell said. "It's been a long time since we've tackled anybody live and run the ball live, ball security and all that. I wanted to see some of the new running backs and new linemen.
Â
"It was good work. Saw some good things; obviously saw some things we've got to do."
Â
The one drawback Norvell mentioned was a few of those younger backs put the ball on the ground. As he noted, in the opener, ball security will be a key in determining the outcome.
Â
What did stand out was the ability of North Dakota State transfer Kobe Johnson. He brings with him more than 2,500 yards of production with him, and he broke a few big runs on the day he was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list.
Â
In short, his performance showed he's getting in synch with the system.
Â
"Coming in this summer, the guys did a great job getting me up to speed. Van Schield and guys like that who have been in the room for awhile kinda helping bring me along with the plays and all that and allowing me to get my legs under myself," Johnson said. "It's a big difference. Where I came from, it was really slow. We liked to huddle and really take our time running plays. Here there's more tempo to it and would say where I fit to it is the speed element, I bring myself and how fast the offense moves, catching defenses off guard with our tempo. A guy like me with speed out of the backfield, which can be really damaging."
Â
The running back room is retooled with additional bodies. Pair that with all the new faces blocking, the Rams focused more on running the ball.
Â
Norvell like what he saw – with the one exception – an extension of what he's witnessed in camp.
Â
"Kobe is going to be a really good player for us. He's just so natural at the position," Norvell said. "He has experience, and he understands how to run. I really like Damian Henderson; he's a physical back going through the hole. I wanted to see him carry the ball a little bit today. KJ Edwards has done a good job in practice; he had one on the ground today, but those guys have a little juice to them, and they can make big plays when we get them in space."
Â
For a defense which has placed an emphasis on creating turnovers, the result was exactly as scripted. For a group looking to take the next step, forcing turnovers has to be part of the equation.
Throughout the day, the group made it tough for the offense to move the ball with any consistency. Nickle Ayden Hector explained the unit, which has eight returning starters, has advanced conversations with defensive coordinator Freddie Banks from base understanding to reading an offense better.
Â
Talks which can lead to faster play and more turnovers.
Â
"We've been taking the ball away a lot in this camp, and obviously that's the goal, to get the ball back," Hector said. "We've really emphasized getting the ball back; the staff has emphasized that to us. We've really worked on, and we've been flying to the ball and once you fly to the ball, the offense doesn't really know what to do. They might get scared, whatever, and that's what we want."
Â
A Â newcomer to the defense who made his presence felt was cornerback Dom Jones, who broke up a few passes and stepped in front of an errant one and returned it for a score. He's tall and long and used all of it to his advantage.
Â
Him being 6-foot-2, paired up with Chigozie Anusiem at 6-1, Norvell wondered if the Rams may be the tallest team at corner in the country. Without question, Hector said he fits into the equation the defense has built, that of being big and fast.
Â
As the staff looks to fill in gaps, Norvell  felt the performance of kicker Jordan Noyes gave him confidence after he drilled a few kicks.
Â
Thursday presents another first for the team, a day off. The Rams return to practice on Friday and will continue through next Wednesday, which stands as the second scrimmage of camp.
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Players Mentioned
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RB
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DB
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