Colorado State University Athletics
Setting the Stage: Changes Taking Hold
10/18/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
A kicker worthy of confidence
FORT COLLINS – There are still tinges of the old offense in the framework, and while Jay Norvell isn't ready to label anything, the transformation from an Air Raid attack to more of a West Coast approach is starting to take hold.
"We made a lot of changes on our team. The way we practice, some of the emphasis on schemes, some of the emphasis on the physicality with how we practice, and it should start to really pay off the second half of the season," Norvell said. "Many teams are still trying to understand their teams the first part of the season. You have new players, you have transfer players, you're trying to figure out how everybody fits. We have a better feel now or who we are and what we're trying to do."
The running game – and stopping the opponent – goes directly to the physicality component. The Rams are averaging 1.3 yards per carry more at this point than last year, well above the goal Norvell set to be better than 4.0 per tote. The other half was holding teams to less than the mark, but the past three weeks have raised it up to 4.3, a smidge higher than last season.
A result of the trend is winning the time of possession battle at this point, better than 30 minutes a game. The offense isn't the same, and not being so tied to passing success will ease the loss of Tory Horton a bit.
There are still pieces of the Air Raid remaining, the Rams just aren't as dependent on the style of moving the ball, and the transition did require adjustment.
"I just think it's the schemes and I don't get caught up on labeling it," Norvell said. "We still run a lot of the same passes we've always run, but it was a little bit of an adjustment. I think our guys are more comfortable now and ready to play."
The Rams are averaging about a field goal less per game in the scoring column, but the past two weeks have seen an uptick with them scoring 31 points in each.
Heavy Heart
The news of Tory Horton being out for the season affected Norvell less as an offensive play caller as it did the person. The two have grown close over the years, with Horton being with him every step of the way from Nevada to Colorado State.
"Tory Horton is one of my favorite players I've ever coached in 40 years. Most amazing kid," Norvell said. "The most underrated thing about him is he's got a big-person's mentality in a skill-players body. Which means he sacrifices himself for his teammate which is very rare from a talented skill player.
"He's always given us his very best, and I'm just sick for him. The kid is getting ready to break the Mountain West all-time record (for receiving yards and catches), and this weekend he would have broken it. He's gotten so close to so many milestones and it just didn't work out; it wasn't meant to be. I just think he's an amazing player, great talent, great captain, great leadership, great sacrifice, and he loves CSU, which is why he came back this year."
Norvell noted Horton will be 'totally healthy" eventually as he will be eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft. The program will do everything it can to assist him in his recovery and rehabilitation, with Norvell saying he should be ready for pro days and similar workouts.
Horton finished his career with 265 career receptions for 3,615 yards.
Confidence Boost
Having a kicker with a big leg does something for a coach, and Jordon Noyes has given that to Norvell. It's the notion that scoring opportunities cover more of the field.
In his two seasons, Noyes has nailed a 55-yarder, and this past week added a 58-yarder, which stands tied for the fourth-longest field goal in program history. Noyes and Steve DeLine are the only two CSU kickers with two of the longest 10 field goals at the school.
"That last kick was huge. We tried the one earlier in the game and we had a bad snap. I knew he had the leg," Norvell said. "I was prepared to punt there, and Jordon said he could make it, and I said, 'well go make it then.'
"I do have confidence in him. I have a lot of confidence in Paddy (Turner) too. Paddy is such a talented punter; he did a great job kicking the ball away from them last week. We're fortunate to have two excellent kickers and a punter, and that's going to make a difference for us."
For an offense, the weapon Noyes gives the Rams is considered a bonus. He is 6-of-8 this season, 21-of-27 in his career, tying him for the school mark in accuracy with Jared Roberts.
Offenses prefer six points. They also love a strong, secondary option to get on the board.
"We always want to score touchdowns, but having that guy back there, it takes a little pressure off the backs knowing this guy is going to make it," center Jacob Gardner said. "I like having him back there. I think the whole team trusts him."
"We made a lot of changes on our team. The way we practice, some of the emphasis on schemes, some of the emphasis on the physicality with how we practice, and it should start to really pay off the second half of the season," Norvell said. "Many teams are still trying to understand their teams the first part of the season. You have new players, you have transfer players, you're trying to figure out how everybody fits. We have a better feel now or who we are and what we're trying to do."
The running game – and stopping the opponent – goes directly to the physicality component. The Rams are averaging 1.3 yards per carry more at this point than last year, well above the goal Norvell set to be better than 4.0 per tote. The other half was holding teams to less than the mark, but the past three weeks have raised it up to 4.3, a smidge higher than last season.
A result of the trend is winning the time of possession battle at this point, better than 30 minutes a game. The offense isn't the same, and not being so tied to passing success will ease the loss of Tory Horton a bit.
There are still pieces of the Air Raid remaining, the Rams just aren't as dependent on the style of moving the ball, and the transition did require adjustment.
"I just think it's the schemes and I don't get caught up on labeling it," Norvell said. "We still run a lot of the same passes we've always run, but it was a little bit of an adjustment. I think our guys are more comfortable now and ready to play."
The Rams are averaging about a field goal less per game in the scoring column, but the past two weeks have seen an uptick with them scoring 31 points in each.
Heavy Heart
The news of Tory Horton being out for the season affected Norvell less as an offensive play caller as it did the person. The two have grown close over the years, with Horton being with him every step of the way from Nevada to Colorado State.
"Tory Horton is one of my favorite players I've ever coached in 40 years. Most amazing kid," Norvell said. "The most underrated thing about him is he's got a big-person's mentality in a skill-players body. Which means he sacrifices himself for his teammate which is very rare from a talented skill player.
"He's always given us his very best, and I'm just sick for him. The kid is getting ready to break the Mountain West all-time record (for receiving yards and catches), and this weekend he would have broken it. He's gotten so close to so many milestones and it just didn't work out; it wasn't meant to be. I just think he's an amazing player, great talent, great captain, great leadership, great sacrifice, and he loves CSU, which is why he came back this year."
Norvell noted Horton will be 'totally healthy" eventually as he will be eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft. The program will do everything it can to assist him in his recovery and rehabilitation, with Norvell saying he should be ready for pro days and similar workouts.
Horton finished his career with 265 career receptions for 3,615 yards.
Confidence Boost
Having a kicker with a big leg does something for a coach, and Jordon Noyes has given that to Norvell. It's the notion that scoring opportunities cover more of the field.
In his two seasons, Noyes has nailed a 55-yarder, and this past week added a 58-yarder, which stands tied for the fourth-longest field goal in program history. Noyes and Steve DeLine are the only two CSU kickers with two of the longest 10 field goals at the school.
"That last kick was huge. We tried the one earlier in the game and we had a bad snap. I knew he had the leg," Norvell said. "I was prepared to punt there, and Jordon said he could make it, and I said, 'well go make it then.'
"I do have confidence in him. I have a lot of confidence in Paddy (Turner) too. Paddy is such a talented punter; he did a great job kicking the ball away from them last week. We're fortunate to have two excellent kickers and a punter, and that's going to make a difference for us."
For an offense, the weapon Noyes gives the Rams is considered a bonus. He is 6-of-8 this season, 21-of-27 in his career, tying him for the school mark in accuracy with Jared Roberts.
Offenses prefer six points. They also love a strong, secondary option to get on the board.
"We always want to score touchdowns, but having that guy back there, it takes a little pressure off the backs knowing this guy is going to make it," center Jacob Gardner said. "I like having him back there. I think the whole team trusts him."
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