Colorado State University Athletics
What We Saw: One Quarter Undoes Streak
11/24/2024 2:17:00 PM | Football
Running back room getting thin
What Colorado State's defense had done so well since the opening of Mountain West play was execute at a high level. In the first half, particularly the second quarter, the Rams didn't.
Â
What Colorado State's offense has struggled with all year – converting on third down – remained problematic for the entirety of Saturday's 28-22 loss to Fresno State.
Â
"We've hung our hat on a few things, the run game and stopping the run. We did a pretty good job of not turning it over until the end of the game," CSU coach Jay Norvell said. "We gave up some explosive plays which were coverage breakdowns, which were uncharacteristic. We need to figure that out and make sure that doesn't happen anymore and make sure our guys get back to playing the way were capable."
Â
The Rams yielded big plays to the Bulldogs throughout the first half, leading to a 28-point outburst, 21 coming in the second quarter. Fresno State had six explosive plays all game, each of them coming in the first 30 minutes.
Â
But the unit regrouped and gave the team a chance. All six Fresno State drives in the second half led to punts, and just 51 total yards. The offense, however, never found a rhythm.
Â
The offense converted its first two third downs, then failed on a third on the opening drive. A 10-yard run on a fourth-down play by Justin Marshall led to a third consecutive game with a touchdown. The team would finish 5-of-19 on third down (29 percent), not anywhere clean enough to sustain drives and apply pressure, even when the team is 4-of-6 converting on fourth down.
Â
"Momentum is a huge thing in football, and I think they did a pretty good job of maintaining momentum in the first half, we and we couldn't get anything rolling," CSU quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi said. "That starts with the offense. We have to help out the defense and put points up on the board and slow that momentum because momentum can be a dangerous thing. I think the first half is pretty good proof of that."
Â
Thin in the Backfield
Â
Avery Morrow had two early carries then missed the rest of the game as Norvell revealed the senior is dealing with a sprained MCL. Marshall carried the brunt of the running game, carrying 20 times for 94 yards, but by the second half, the Rams were forced to throw to rally.
Â
Kobe Johnson had a couple of carries, Damien Henderson II one as the team was also without Jalen Dupree, who missed the game with an injury. In the regular-season finale this week, the rotation appears to be the same.
Â
A room which was once a strength is now a bit thin
Â
"We have a lot of guys who are playing who aren't 100 percent. That's just football this time of year," Norvell said. "I was really proud of a lot of their efforts tonight. It's just life and football this time of year. We'll get our guys back and try to get them rested up and patched up and get ready to play a Friday game this week.
Â
"We lost Jalen this week and Avery. I think Justin has been really effective with kind of that 1-2Â punch and he didn't have that tonight. That's something we'll look at and see who's healthy and who's available. We'll patch them up and see where we go from there."
Â
Here and There
Â
Jamari Person had his first 100-yard receiving game, finishing with 112 yards and scoring his first touchdown, set up by a 60-yard catch-and-run on the previous play. With his nine catches in the game, he is now tied for the team lead with 31 receptions with Armani Winfield, who had five in the contest … Defensively, the Rams gave up a 100-yard rusher for the first time since the Oregon State game as Bryson Donelson finished with 150 yards on 13 carries. … The team is 7-3 in their final home games in the past 10 full seasons.
Â
Â
What Colorado State's offense has struggled with all year – converting on third down – remained problematic for the entirety of Saturday's 28-22 loss to Fresno State.
Â
"We've hung our hat on a few things, the run game and stopping the run. We did a pretty good job of not turning it over until the end of the game," CSU coach Jay Norvell said. "We gave up some explosive plays which were coverage breakdowns, which were uncharacteristic. We need to figure that out and make sure that doesn't happen anymore and make sure our guys get back to playing the way were capable."
Â
The Rams yielded big plays to the Bulldogs throughout the first half, leading to a 28-point outburst, 21 coming in the second quarter. Fresno State had six explosive plays all game, each of them coming in the first 30 minutes.
Â
But the unit regrouped and gave the team a chance. All six Fresno State drives in the second half led to punts, and just 51 total yards. The offense, however, never found a rhythm.
Â
The offense converted its first two third downs, then failed on a third on the opening drive. A 10-yard run on a fourth-down play by Justin Marshall led to a third consecutive game with a touchdown. The team would finish 5-of-19 on third down (29 percent), not anywhere clean enough to sustain drives and apply pressure, even when the team is 4-of-6 converting on fourth down.
Â
"Momentum is a huge thing in football, and I think they did a pretty good job of maintaining momentum in the first half, we and we couldn't get anything rolling," CSU quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi said. "That starts with the offense. We have to help out the defense and put points up on the board and slow that momentum because momentum can be a dangerous thing. I think the first half is pretty good proof of that."
Â
Thin in the Backfield
Â
Avery Morrow had two early carries then missed the rest of the game as Norvell revealed the senior is dealing with a sprained MCL. Marshall carried the brunt of the running game, carrying 20 times for 94 yards, but by the second half, the Rams were forced to throw to rally.
Â
Kobe Johnson had a couple of carries, Damien Henderson II one as the team was also without Jalen Dupree, who missed the game with an injury. In the regular-season finale this week, the rotation appears to be the same.
Â
A room which was once a strength is now a bit thin
Â
"We have a lot of guys who are playing who aren't 100 percent. That's just football this time of year," Norvell said. "I was really proud of a lot of their efforts tonight. It's just life and football this time of year. We'll get our guys back and try to get them rested up and patched up and get ready to play a Friday game this week.
Â
"We lost Jalen this week and Avery. I think Justin has been really effective with kind of that 1-2Â punch and he didn't have that tonight. That's something we'll look at and see who's healthy and who's available. We'll patch them up and see where we go from there."
Â
Here and There
Â
Jamari Person had his first 100-yard receiving game, finishing with 112 yards and scoring his first touchdown, set up by a 60-yard catch-and-run on the previous play. With his nine catches in the game, he is now tied for the team lead with 31 receptions with Armani Winfield, who had five in the contest … Defensively, the Rams gave up a 100-yard rusher for the first time since the Oregon State game as Bryson Donelson finished with 150 yards on 13 carries. … The team is 7-3 in their final home games in the past 10 full seasons.
Â
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ FootballThursday, May 14
Monday, May 11
Friday, May 08
Tuesday, April 28