Setting the Stage: Healthy Backfield Providing Options

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After a season shuffling through the running back room, trying to find one healthy body in the group, this season has been a welcome change for Jay Norvell and Colorado State's offense.

Not only have the backs remained generally healthy for the most part, the two-headed monster at the top – Justin Marshall and Avery Morrow – have been productive. Each has a 100-yard game under their belt through four games, and the team is vastly improved in the run game.

Colorado State is averaging 174.3 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry after a season where the Rams' averaged 92.2 and 3.3. The leading rusher from 2023, Vann Schield, gained 389 yards. Marshall sits at 270 already, Morrow at 250.

"I think it's really great, because right now, Justin and Avery are both playing at a high level and they're able to stay fresh," CSU coach Jay Norvell said. "That's important for running backs. They take so much punishment and so much contact."

He mentioned contact in particular as the Rams have altered the way they run the ball, using a scheme based off the one Mike Shanahan used while coaching the Denver Broncos. As he put it, they're slamming the ball up into the line and it takes its toll.

To have two who are healthy and fresh leads to productive. It's also led to the insertion of the ponies package, where both are in the game at the same time. Both can not only run it well, but they are also reliable targets as receivers.

"We try to get our best players on the field, and right now two of our best players are running backs, so we can get both Avery and Justin out there together," he said. "They're pretty flexible. They both can catch the ball, and both can also block. We're trying to utilize all their skills. It's been good to us. It was good last week."

Road Memories

After three consecutive home games, safety Henry Blackburn doesn't mind this week's change of pace.

"I like away games. I think it's fun," Blackburn said. "I think it's fun to travel with the guys, see a new stadium, go to a new state. I don't think I've been to Oregon before. It's going to be fun. It's just awesome to go travel with the guys. It's just soaking it all in with the guys. It's a great experience."

Reser Stadium will be the last new stadium in his career, at least in the regular season. He's been to Texas, Michigan, Washington State and Iowa to name a few of the bigger ones, but even the random road games to Middle Tennessee State hold merit.

The best part to him is the time in the hotel, hanging out with teammates. Plane rides after wins are fairly high on his list. And just as intriguing are the fans, how they react and how much they talk.

"I like to see who talks the most smack. I like when team's get chirpy, " he said. "Utah State is at the top. Their fans, not the players. I mean, Utah State claims it. Everybody else is not that bad, but I have to give it to Utah State. I don't know what's up with those fans. Those guys are crazy."

Here and There

The team has been playing chainsaw noises throughout the week, intermittently cutting through the music at practice. As a change, offensive line coach Bill Best brought a real one to practice Wednesday and fired it up. "Actually, the artificial chainsaw is a lot scarier than the real one," Norvell said. "We wanted to bring it on the plane, but I'm not sure security will allow us. It can sit next to Bill on his chair." … Norvell said Jack Howell should be cleared to play. He is encouraged that both Tory Horton and Nuer Gatkuoth will also be ready to play. … Horton enters the game two catches shy of becoming the Mountain West's third all-time leading receiver.

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