Colorado State University Athletics
Defense Looks to Add Flash to Fundamentals
10/16/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
Sound approach is foundation for Air Force contest
There are wants, and for a defense they are always the same.
Splash plays. Tackles for loss. Sacks. Turnovers. Colorado State's unit is still in search of all of them for the most part, but they did get what they needed without them this past Saturday.
A solid performance. The Rams didn't allow a bunch of explosive plays to San Jose State in a 31-24 victory – five total, none longer than 31 yards and four through the air. The end result was the group allowed 17 points to an offense which was averaging better than 35 points per game.
"I think the flow of games are sometimes different. I thought we were getting after the quarterback pretty well in the front seven, but they did a good job of getting it out fast," linebacker Chase Wilson said. "We missed some opportunities for TFLs; I did myself. But I thought we played good, fundamental, sound football. There weren't many explosives, and we held them to 17 points on offense.
"Still, I love those flash plays."
Doesn't everyone. The performance is something to build on with the next foe being Air Force, and offense which forces defenses to play fundamentally sound with discipline or pay the price. The thing is, the Falcons haven't been the same old Falcons.
This is the first time since 2014 you will find the rushing attack outside of the top 10. Built to run, Air Force is averaging less than 200 yards a game on the ground. It's an offense which only comes around once a year – which can play in their favor – but the game plan isn't foreign for Colorado State this week.
The Rams spent some time in the spring for the option. Same thing in fall camp. The ability to have a refresh instead of a rebuild – bolstered by a host of defenders who have faced the Falcons more than once – helps.
The Rams have reiterated they are preparing for what they've normally seen, not what the numbers suggest.
"We're not going to face a lot of offenses like this, so you want to make sure you're fresh on the different techniques, different play styles," defensive tackle James Mitchell said. "When we get back to this, this memory is there, and we know exactly what to do.
"It really is the same thing this year. They play with a couple of quarterbacks. They're trying to find their identity at quarterback. They give you a gun a little bit. It's the same thing, but they're trying to find their identity. As far as the run game, they have a lot of new guys."
Air Force went with John Busha as the starter at quarterback the first five games, making the switch to Quentin Hayes against New Mexico. They lost the game, but Hayes gave the Falcons a 100-yard rushing game from the spot, adding another 79 yards through the air. He's been accurate when he's played, completing 10-of-14 passes with a touchdown.
The overall flow for the Falcons just isn't the same. While they still have a handful of ball carriers contributing, not one of them has 200 yards on the season.
"It's experience and maturity. They had a very experienced and mature team. Their offensive line has been experienced and their quarterback," CSU coach Jay Norvell said. "They're just in transition right now on both sides of the ball. That's what happens in programs, but they're still very fundamentally sound. They don't have a lot of penalties, so the challenge is still there. When you play them, you have to be very sound, and you have to play physical, and you have to take advantage of your opportunities, and it forces you to execute. That's our challenge."
The Rams won't count on many sacks, but they would like to get back into habit of creating losses for teams. Putting Air Force behind the chains in any season is a plus. This season, even more so.
"Especially this week. It's a rivalry game, play with a little more edge," Mitchell said. "As (defensive coordinator Freddie) Banks said, a little more physicality, a little more execution. Knowing it's a rivalry game, we're going to play with a bunch of that. Make sure we have a lot more TFLs, get them back on first down."
But at the very least, remain fundamentally sound. The Rams might not have taken all they wanted against the Spartans, but it did work.
Splash plays. Tackles for loss. Sacks. Turnovers. Colorado State's unit is still in search of all of them for the most part, but they did get what they needed without them this past Saturday.
A solid performance. The Rams didn't allow a bunch of explosive plays to San Jose State in a 31-24 victory – five total, none longer than 31 yards and four through the air. The end result was the group allowed 17 points to an offense which was averaging better than 35 points per game.
"I think the flow of games are sometimes different. I thought we were getting after the quarterback pretty well in the front seven, but they did a good job of getting it out fast," linebacker Chase Wilson said. "We missed some opportunities for TFLs; I did myself. But I thought we played good, fundamental, sound football. There weren't many explosives, and we held them to 17 points on offense.
"Still, I love those flash plays."
Doesn't everyone. The performance is something to build on with the next foe being Air Force, and offense which forces defenses to play fundamentally sound with discipline or pay the price. The thing is, the Falcons haven't been the same old Falcons.
This is the first time since 2014 you will find the rushing attack outside of the top 10. Built to run, Air Force is averaging less than 200 yards a game on the ground. It's an offense which only comes around once a year – which can play in their favor – but the game plan isn't foreign for Colorado State this week.
The Rams spent some time in the spring for the option. Same thing in fall camp. The ability to have a refresh instead of a rebuild – bolstered by a host of defenders who have faced the Falcons more than once – helps.
The Rams have reiterated they are preparing for what they've normally seen, not what the numbers suggest.
"We're not going to face a lot of offenses like this, so you want to make sure you're fresh on the different techniques, different play styles," defensive tackle James Mitchell said. "When we get back to this, this memory is there, and we know exactly what to do.
"It really is the same thing this year. They play with a couple of quarterbacks. They're trying to find their identity at quarterback. They give you a gun a little bit. It's the same thing, but they're trying to find their identity. As far as the run game, they have a lot of new guys."
Air Force went with John Busha as the starter at quarterback the first five games, making the switch to Quentin Hayes against New Mexico. They lost the game, but Hayes gave the Falcons a 100-yard rushing game from the spot, adding another 79 yards through the air. He's been accurate when he's played, completing 10-of-14 passes with a touchdown.
The overall flow for the Falcons just isn't the same. While they still have a handful of ball carriers contributing, not one of them has 200 yards on the season.
"It's experience and maturity. They had a very experienced and mature team. Their offensive line has been experienced and their quarterback," CSU coach Jay Norvell said. "They're just in transition right now on both sides of the ball. That's what happens in programs, but they're still very fundamentally sound. They don't have a lot of penalties, so the challenge is still there. When you play them, you have to be very sound, and you have to play physical, and you have to take advantage of your opportunities, and it forces you to execute. That's our challenge."
The Rams won't count on many sacks, but they would like to get back into habit of creating losses for teams. Putting Air Force behind the chains in any season is a plus. This season, even more so.
"Especially this week. It's a rivalry game, play with a little more edge," Mitchell said. "As (defensive coordinator Freddie) Banks said, a little more physicality, a little more execution. Knowing it's a rivalry game, we're going to play with a bunch of that. Make sure we have a lot more TFLs, get them back on first down."
But at the very least, remain fundamentally sound. The Rams might not have taken all they wanted against the Spartans, but it did work.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballRams Live: David Anderson
Monday, December 08
Colorado State Football: Jim Mora Press Conference
Saturday, December 06
Rams Live Exclusive: Head Coach Jim Mora
Tuesday, December 02
Colorado State Football: Jim Mora Introductory Press Conference
Monday, December 01