Colorado State University Athletics
What We Saw: Rams Have Work Ahead
9/1/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
Running game stands out as lone bright spot
Coach Jay Norvell wanted an improved running game. If any aspect of Colorado State's loss to No. 4 Texas on Saturday showed progress, it was there.
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The Rams hoped they found their back of the future at the close of the 2023 season when Justin Marshall played in the final three games, opening with 119 against San Diego State and rushing for at least 94 in each contest. He came back with a flourish against a Longhorns' defense which allowed less than 83 yards per game a season ago, going for 106 yards on 25 carries.
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It wasn't the product of one big run setting up his day, but a slow grind of impressive carries and running through contact. His totes were a career-best in a game as he averaged 4.2 yards per carry.
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"I felt like there are things we had to do today that were going to help us the rest of the season, win or lose," Norvell said. "I know everybody is not happy with the outcome, but we will be a better football team."
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Running the ball will help. It should take some pressure off the passing game, though that wasn't the case against Texas.
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The Rams are going to need more offensively. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw for just 59 yards, a career low, his longest completion going for just 12. Tory Horton had five catches, generating 31 yards and the Rams had no explosive plays. The net result was just 192 total yards, the lowest output since gaining just 170 against Boise State in 2022.
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But Marshall was ready to roll. Texas allowed a 100-yard rusher once last year, and that was Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (now with Oregon) as he had 113. The only running back to hit the total against Texas in 2023 was Wyoming's Harrison Waylee, who rushed for 110.
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"We feel confident that Justin can run the football and that we can run the football," Norvell said. "Not many people did that against Texas a year ago, so that is a bright spot. We need to do more things to convert and finish drives, and obviously we didn't do that (Saturday)."
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Special Attention
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In big games, the third phase has to show up, but Colorado State's special teams didn't perform up to snuff in the opener after a solid season in 2023.
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It started with a 26-yard kickoff return to start the game and included two mistakes from the punting unit. One was allowing a 35 yard return by Silas Bolden to set up one score, the other was a fake punt which didn't work, resulting in the first of seven consecutive scoring drives by the Longhorns.
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The punt fake was the product of Turner seeing an alignment and having the green light to run the fake on his own. He lost 2 yards on fourth-and-5.
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"Paddy had an option to run the ball if he had a certain look. He didn't execute it with enough confidence, and that's something he has the ability to do," Norvell said. "I'll take responsibility for that, and the turnover with Brayden. It's tough, it's just a very small margin of error when you play talented people like this, and we were just on the wrong side."
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Up Next
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Colorado State begins a string of three consecutive home games when it hosts Northern Colorado on Saturday (5 p.m.) The Bears are coming off a 28-7 road loss at Incarnate Word. Tied at 7 after one, the Bears gave up 21 unanswered in the next two quarters. The lone touchdown came courtesy former Ram running back Vann Schild on a 58-yard run. He finished with 80 yards on 11 carries.
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It will be the annual Ag Day celebration for the university, and the athletic department will honor the late Lt. Col. John Mosley by retiring him No. 14 across all sports. His name will join three others on the façade.
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The Rams hoped they found their back of the future at the close of the 2023 season when Justin Marshall played in the final three games, opening with 119 against San Diego State and rushing for at least 94 in each contest. He came back with a flourish against a Longhorns' defense which allowed less than 83 yards per game a season ago, going for 106 yards on 25 carries.
Â
It wasn't the product of one big run setting up his day, but a slow grind of impressive carries and running through contact. His totes were a career-best in a game as he averaged 4.2 yards per carry.
Â
"I felt like there are things we had to do today that were going to help us the rest of the season, win or lose," Norvell said. "I know everybody is not happy with the outcome, but we will be a better football team."
Â
Running the ball will help. It should take some pressure off the passing game, though that wasn't the case against Texas.
Â
The Rams are going to need more offensively. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw for just 59 yards, a career low, his longest completion going for just 12. Tory Horton had five catches, generating 31 yards and the Rams had no explosive plays. The net result was just 192 total yards, the lowest output since gaining just 170 against Boise State in 2022.
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But Marshall was ready to roll. Texas allowed a 100-yard rusher once last year, and that was Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (now with Oregon) as he had 113. The only running back to hit the total against Texas in 2023 was Wyoming's Harrison Waylee, who rushed for 110.
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"We feel confident that Justin can run the football and that we can run the football," Norvell said. "Not many people did that against Texas a year ago, so that is a bright spot. We need to do more things to convert and finish drives, and obviously we didn't do that (Saturday)."
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Special Attention
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In big games, the third phase has to show up, but Colorado State's special teams didn't perform up to snuff in the opener after a solid season in 2023.
Â
It started with a 26-yard kickoff return to start the game and included two mistakes from the punting unit. One was allowing a 35 yard return by Silas Bolden to set up one score, the other was a fake punt which didn't work, resulting in the first of seven consecutive scoring drives by the Longhorns.
Â
The punt fake was the product of Turner seeing an alignment and having the green light to run the fake on his own. He lost 2 yards on fourth-and-5.
Â
"Paddy had an option to run the ball if he had a certain look. He didn't execute it with enough confidence, and that's something he has the ability to do," Norvell said. "I'll take responsibility for that, and the turnover with Brayden. It's tough, it's just a very small margin of error when you play talented people like this, and we were just on the wrong side."
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Up Next
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Colorado State begins a string of three consecutive home games when it hosts Northern Colorado on Saturday (5 p.m.) The Bears are coming off a 28-7 road loss at Incarnate Word. Tied at 7 after one, the Bears gave up 21 unanswered in the next two quarters. The lone touchdown came courtesy former Ram running back Vann Schild on a 58-yard run. He finished with 80 yards on 11 carries.
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It will be the annual Ag Day celebration for the university, and the athletic department will honor the late Lt. Col. John Mosley by retiring him No. 14 across all sports. His name will join three others on the façade.
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Players Mentioned
Inside the Offensive Linemen Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Thursday, May 14
Inside The Tight End Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Monday, May 11
Inside the Quarterback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Friday, May 08
Inside the Nickelback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Tuesday, April 28