What We Saw: Air Raid Goes to Ground Chuck

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When Jay Norvell was introduced as the head coach, he proudly proclaimed the Air Raid offense was coming to town. Oddly enough, he didn't announce the switch heading into this season.

Welcome to Ground Chuck.

Colorado State rushed 40 times for 246 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry in the 38-17 win over Northern Colorado, a second consecutive week where the running game has taken center stage.

"You know, we're serious about improving this team. We really are," Norvell said. "We want our weaknesses to become our strengths. I mean, we're not ready to be ground and pound, but I think we're getting better. I feel we were in position last year to finish games and run the football, and we got the ball back with 4 minutes left and I didn't want to give it back to them. It was something we're going to have to do, and it's something we didn't do last year in the Colorado game.

"We have to learn how to do that, and it just doesn't happen. Being able to run the football and hold the ball when you have to is something we have to learn to do. We're not there yet; we're making strides."

Against Texas, it was 106 yards from Justin Marshall. He followed up with 69 in the victory over the Bears, but it was Keegan Holles who led the attack with 10 rushes, 89 yards (both career bests) and his first college touchdown.

By the end of the night, eight Rams had carries, and Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and Avery Morrow added rushing scores. It was a point of focus in fall camp, and offensive lineman Saveyon Henderson feels there should be more coming, but the last drive proved a point.

"Probably the 4-minute. We like to be able to win on our own terms," he said. "That was pretty nice."

What the run game provided was in short supply a year ago. There were four runs of 20 yards or longer, explosive plays which were uncommon in 2023. At the end of the game, it was Morrow's 8-yard gritty run for a score which closed out the Rams' running the 4-minute offense to perfection.

It's not a case of one over the other, it's a matter of having both.

Agurs Showing Growth

Kenyon Agurs isn't a starter, at least not yet. But in the time he's getting at defensive end, the redshirt freshman is taking full advantage.

He had a tackle for loss in the opener against Texas, then added 2.5 more on Saturday night.

"My excitement level is up there, but I'm not satisfied with what's going on," he said. "My end is making plays, so I feel I need to get back to work. It's encouraging, but I still have things to work on."

The Rams played the first two games without Nuer Gatkuoth, a starting defensive end. Mukendi Wa-Kalonji started both games on the other side, with Gabe Kirschke starting in place of Gatkuoth. Kirschke had four tackles, recording half a loss on one and provided a pair of quarterback hurries.

Agurs has been spelling them both, Saturday night posting five tackles. His effort has not been lost on Norvell.

"I'm just so proud of him. He's a young kid," Norvell said. "He's got an NFL body, and he's still just a young guy. He's just gotten better and better and better. He got in that game against Texas, and he wasn't out of place."

Here and There

Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi completed passes to 10 different receivers in the game, five of them wide receivers. Caleb Goodie and Jamari Person each had three, with Goodie's 40-yard touchdown catch the highlight of the night. As the Rams move forward, having depth to take pressure off of Tory Horton is key. "I feel like other people have to step up, so that's pretty good." … Horton has scored on a punt return each of the past three seasons. His status for next week is undetermined after leaving the game in the third quarter. … The Rams have committed just four penalties this year, one against UNC.

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