Setting the Stage: Wilson Makes Switch Once Again

For Adam Pilapil, the plan was pretty simple when it came to setting up his linebackers for the Arizona Bowl.

The loss of leading tackler Buom Jock to the transfer portal split up a productive pair, but Chase Wilson's extensive knowledge of the system and his ability to play both the will and mike spots gave Pilapil – who will serve as the defensive coordinator in the game – a clear direction.

"Owen (Long) has been playing well, so It's pretty easy. Chase will bump back, which is easy to do because Chase was an all-conference guy at mike last year," Pilapil said. "That's why we cross train. OK, he can do both, so it just helps the team a ton. Chase has been really good over there."

Wilson was a second-team All-Mountain West linebacker at the mike spot in 2023, moving to will this season, where he again earned second-team honors after posting 91tackles (second on the team) while tying for the team lead with two interceptions.

Long, a true freshman, has been his understudy all year and ranks eighth on the team with 38 tackles. It will be his first career start, and for him, doing so alongside Wilson gives him a sense of comfort.

"Having Chase out there is like having another coach, to be honest. It's always a good feeling to be able to look to my left or right if I'm not understanding something completely, I can count on that guy and he's going to help me out right on the spot," Long said. "He's been awesome. There's two ways you can go about it, and I think we've all been in this role at some point in our careers. You have a young guy come in and sometimes the older guys don't like reciprocating their knowledge, but that hasn't been the case at all. Chase is a dog. Playing behind Chase is awesome No. 1, but No. 2, he helps me. I feel when Chase isn't here, I'll be better because Chase helped me become that player."

As for the question of depth at the spot, Drew Rodriguez will factor heavily into the plan. Rodriquez gives the Rams a second linebacker who can play both spots.

In a one-game scenario, Pilapil feels the trio are more than ready to handle the load.

"The three of them together, Chase, Owen and Drew, they have such good chemistry, so it's not too hard," he said. "Drew will play both, Chase will play both, Owen will play will. They can all see things. As much as Chase can help Owen, Owen can help him too, because he sees things and he's a bright guy."

As for his added responsibilities in the game, Pilapil is viewing it as an exciting opportunity for him as a young coach. After the season, he was named to the AFCA 35 under 35 list of up-and-coming coaches.
He will call the defense against Miami (Ohio), filling in for Freddie Banks. Tyson Summers has been named the new CSU defensive coordinator, duties he will start following the game.

"It's something. It's different," Pilapil said. "It's an awesome opportunity and an awesome challenge. Im' excited for that part. It's been fun being in a different role and trying to organize it all. We have a great group of people around us helping."

Ready to Roll

Colorado State practiced all of last week, getting in a Christmas morning workout before departing for Tucson. With it being a Saturday game, Colorado State coach Jay Norvell said it kept it a normal week of preparation for the team, which he felt was important.

The leadup was a mixture of getting players healthy and keeping them fresh, with the early practices dedicated to younger players on the roster, basically mirroring spring camp.

As bowl prep progressed, the game plan was added and the regulars started getting more reps. All of it was by design to have the squad ready 29 days after the Rams last played.

"We know how to win bowl games. We've been part of a lot of them; this is 23 for me," Norvell said. "The key to bowl games is to keep your guys engaged. Usually, the team that wants to play the most wins. Our practices have been crisp; sharp. We haven't kept them on the field too long.

"I'm a big believer in rhythm, so we have not changed our rhythm from the season. On Monday we have a certain routine, on Tuesday we have a certain routine, Wednesday, Thursday we taper down, Friday we have shorter practices. We've done that for three weeks."

Since the announcement, the team has taken pride in having some spirited, energetic workouts, no matter who was on the field.

Naturally, the rest added some zip for the veterans, but so does the fact the program is in a bowl for the first time in seven seasons and hasn't won a bowl game since 2013. They want to leave a mark.

"Given the fact that we've had this much time to prepare since the Utah State game, I feel like we've come and practiced with a lot of energy, a lot of focus, a lot of attention to detail," defensive tackle James Mitchell said. "I'm real impressed, but I knew it was going to happen.

"I think we're real motivated. Coch Norvell said this win will separate us from a lot of the teams in the past. Guys who have been here a long time, we've seen a whole bunch of guys come in and leave. Leaving your mark requires separation from everyone who came to CSU."

The Rams have had nine teams win at least nine games, seven others win eight. This group would like to switch from one to the other.

For running back Avery Morrow, the motivation comes from the most basic place.

"I didn't come here to lose. Me personally, I'm treating it like any other game I've played," he said. "I'll give it my all, and I know from the senior aspect, the young guys will follow the seniors. We've been talking about this for a while. We were short to our goal for the championship, but we can still win a ring. That's on everybody's mind. I know it's been on my mind. I know there hasn't been no jewelry around her in a while, so check that off the checklist, too."

Full Room, Big Task

Then there's the other box on the checklist Morrow would like to mark off. That would require 44 yards from the senior running back in the game.

"I don't even really want to talk about it too much, but it's been on my mind a lot. That would mean a lot to me," said Morrow, as the figure would give him 1,000 yards rushing on the season. "I know it's been awhile since there's been a 1,000-yard back, like 2017. For me, that's always been a personal goal."

Dalyn Dawkins was the last Ram to hit the figure, back in 2017. It's been a longstanding goal for Morrow, dating back to his recruitment to Nevada.

In Norvell's five years there, he never had a back hit 1,000 yards, somewhat understandable with running an Air Raid offense and a quarterback who was a two-time Mountain West offensive player of the year throwing for 4,000 yards annually.

"I remember my first meeting with Coach Norvell back in Nevada. They made us write down all our goals, and I remember asking my running backs coach at the time, Vai Taua, he's a big Hall of Famer at Nevada, I was like, 'has Coach Norvell ever had a 1,000-yard back? He said no, and I remember telling Coach Norvell I want to be your first as a head coach. It would be really cool for me to check that off my checklist."

Morrow enters the game with 956 yards rushing, leading to nine touchdowns. That figure stands as the most rushing yards by a back in Norvell's head-coaching tenure.

But it's not the number he wants, and to be honest, Morrow isn't the only one who wants it. Ask the guys on the offensive line, and they'll tell you one of their goals is to get the back to the mark.

The Rams will have a full and healthy roster of running backs for the first time in a while. All of the main contributors have been dinged up at some point, but Morrow, Justin Marshall, Jalen Dupree and even Keegan Holles are expected to be game ready.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results