Setting the Stage: Texas

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Sep 20

12-Days

Football

vs UTSA

Sep 27

5:30 PM

Football

vs Washington State

Oct 3

8:30 PM

Football

at San Diego State

Oct 10

7:00 PM

Football

vs Fresno State

Oct 18

5:00 PM

Football

vs Hawai'i

Colorado State's players and coaches love the addition of in-helmet communication on game days. The equipment staff, led by Shannon O'Hair, has made it as easy as possible for the Rams to use.

O'Hair's approach was more is better. Instead of switching the systems out from game-day to practice helmets, she doubled up. When it comes to the normal radio transmitters the system uses, she'll pack it with her and travel, just so there's no possible crosses on the road.

"We have one for practice, one for games. We made it simpler on our teams, so we don't have to swap them out every week," O'Hair said. "Some schools only ordered six, for practice and games. We ordered more to make it simple.

"We have to have a checklist each day. After practice, we have to grab all seven helmets – four offense, three defense – plug them in and make sure they're charged overnight. We leave them plugged in until about 20 minutes before practice, then we take them out to practice, and afterward, we go collect them out of the locker."

Those helmets require a little extra care. The battery pack is in the crown of the helmet, along with the sensor, which is connected to the speakers, found behind each ear hole. Get frustrated and slam the helmet down, O'Hair says there's a high probability the system becomes dislodged.

Each equipped helmet will have a green dot on the back for officials to identify because by rule, there can only be one player on the field using the system. On offense, it's easy, as only the quarterbacks have them.

Defensively it's a bit more difficult. Chase Wilson is the primary, but his fellow starting linebacker, Buom Jock, will also be equipped. So will safety Henry Blackburn. O'Hair said the equipment staff will pack two game-day helmets for each – one with the system, one without.

Wilson said it helps with communication on the field, in addition to some pre-snap checks which may be seen from the box. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi feels the system has made the offense flow better.

"From my perspective, it makes everything more efficient. It's pretty awesome to just cover up your ears and basically, you're on the phone with Coach," he said. "You can relay stuff quickly; it makes huddles a lot more efficient. I've noticed the offense moves pretty smooth."

On the Run

During camp, the wide receivers joked that the Rams are no longer an Air Raid offense they've worked on the running game so much. Coach Jay Norvell has made it an emphasis in camp, establishing a baseline of 4.0 yards per carry for the season.

Justin Marshall, who broke on the scene the final three games of 2023, is ready to prove the work has paid off, but it won't be easy.

Texas allowed less than 19 points per game last year, allowing just 2.9 yards per rush and ranking third in the country by allowing less than 83 yards per contest on the ground.

"It's a great challenge, I'm not gonna lie, to see where we're at at the beginning of the season and then build off that for the next games," Marshall said. "The way they're making us finish in practice, run all the way back and finish again, that's building our stamina."

He made his first start late in the season against San Diego State, becoming the only CSU rusher to surpass 100 yards in a game. He ended up averaging 103 ground yards per game and 5.5 yards per tote.

It's a great launching point into the next season, even if the starting point is against a ranked team.

"I'm a lot more confident. I've gotten more plays, I'm moving faster, and I've gotten stronger," Marshall said. "I have a lot of confidence. I'm harping on ball security, high and tight, no fumbles, no turnovers.

"I'm excited. A little bit nervous, but more excited to play on a big stage. When I get hit that first play, I'll definitely lose all those jitters."

Here and There

This is the second meeting between the two programs, nearly 50 years apart. The Rams lost 46-0 to No. 12 Texas in 1975. … Tory Horton enters the season 45 receptions shy of breaking the Mountain West career record. … The Rams are projected to have four first-time starters in the game, three on defense, one on offense. … CSU has had some injury issues in the kicking game, but Norvell feels confident they'll be settled by kickoff. Jordan Noyes has been in a boot for much of fall camp. … Norvell reiterated his team is playing Texas, not the program's legacy. "Earl Campbell is not going to play, so we don't have to play their history. Darrell Royal is not on the sideline; I'm not worried about coaching against him."

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Henry Blackburn

Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi

Tory Horton

Buom Jock

Justin Marshall

Jordan Noyes

Chase Wilson

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