Setting the Stage: Beers More Than Happy to do His Part

Everyone remembers the catch, save for the guy who snared the ball, took the hit and stayed down for a bit of a spell.

"Not much," said tight end Rocky Beers. "I was like, I'm gonna have to take this hit for the team. I mean, you gotta die the hero. You know you're gonna get hit either way, so you might as well catch it."

Which he did, taking a massive one from the looming safety, Austin Brawley, a hit so violent it drew a flag for targeting which was picked up upon review. But the grab came on a third-and-13 play, gaining the Rams 14 yards on a drive which ended a few plays later with Lloyd Avant's 41-yard touchdown reception, putting Colorado State back in contention.

Even interim coach Tyson Summers was stunned he made the catch, more so when Beers came off the field and then returned to the game later.

"I was really worried about him, to be honest with you. I just told him, I was just man, you're a tough sucker," Summers said. "That's all I can tell you because I know I would've dropped that ball and been injured. But he popped right up, he was ready to go. He had a great attitude (Monday) morning again, in meetings, and continues to lead. Super, super smart guy; loves being around, loves being back in his home state, loves being able to lead that group. So really, really impressed by him."

"Tough sucker" is what Beers called the G-rated version of the conversation, but the point was made and received with pride and honor.

As the season dawned, the Rams were excited about being in 12 personnel with Jaxxon Warren the primary target at tight end, Beers a solid second receiving option and a primary blocker. By week three, Beers was the guy at the spot, and in the last two games, the man for all occasions.

Of his 22 receptions this season, half have come in the past two games, including a season-best seven against the Lobos, good for a career-best 67 yards. That came a week after his four catches against UNVL went for 61 yards.

He also leads the team in touchdown receptions with five, snaring one in each of the past two games. That leaves him one scoring catch shy of tying the program record for tight ends in a season, currently held jointly by Dallin Holker (2023), Kivon Cartwright (2013) and Kory Sperry (2008).

The record, he admitted, would be great. He wouldn't mind surpassing it, either. Whatever transpires the final two weeks, the Colorado kid who is now at his third school is happy with the decision he made to come to Colorado State, more than happy to perform any task he's asked.

"I'm very appreciative. Jax went down, obviously; that was rough for the team," Beers said. "That was a big hit, but that gave me an opportunity to step up, and they've been using me, and I appreciate that. So, I'm happy where I'm at."

So is Summers, the former defensive coordinator at Western Kentucky, who was familiar with Beers' work at Florida International.

His opinion back then was Beers was a complete tight end, a position which has only strengthened seeing him day after day. Actually, it's more impressive up close and personal, and a better feeling when he's doing it for your side instead of against.

"I think he does it all real well. I mean, if you go back and look, we had our team meetings (Monday) morning to review the game and our action reaction film study, and he's got three catches over the middle that are unbelievable," Summers said. "And two of those, DC (Darius Curry) drops a dime right in his hands, and he's able to come up with the plays. He gets crushed on one of them and holds on to it. He's back out there a couple of plays later.

"He's got two different plays where he's on the perimeter, he's blocking, and he takes a guy in the first row. And then he's able to go play with a six technique in his face, and he's able to go play where he's gotta work. You want some of the counter series stuff where he's gotta be able to play some of those things out, and he's in protections."

A Place to Start

Unsure at the beginning of the week about which quarterback would be guiding Boise State's offense, Summers figured it didn't take a genius to figure out where the defensive game plan starts. With the Broncos, it's traditionally focused on the rushing attack.

While they ranked in the top 10 nationally the past two years with Ashton Jeanty in the backfield, Boise State still sits isn't the upper half of the country at 182.8 yards per game. Dylan Riley is fourth in the Mountain West at 82.4 yards per game, 6.6 yards a tote.

"So that's where you've got to start. They've always got great backs," Summers said. "The O-line is tied really well together. It'll have to start with that. In saying that, again, they've got talented receivers, they've got talented tight ends, and they've got two quarterbacks that have the ability to really hurt you with their arm and their legs. And they move the pocket really well when they use those guys. So, you've got to have a balance, for sure."

Max Cutforth is set to start for a second consecutive game with the Broncos looking to end a two-game slide which has put their title hopes on thin ice. He only threw 18 passes in the loss to San Diego State, completing 12 for 104 yards. Most of that came in the fourth quarter as the team tried to rally.
Here and There

Colorado State has never won at Boise State in six tries. The average margin of victory for the hosts is 24 points in those games. … Owen Long is back in the lead nationally at 12.2 tackles per game. He has 122 on the season, needing 16 more this season to crack into the program's top 10. … Punter Bryan Hansen ranks third nationally in average at 48.0 per attempt, which would rank third at CSU for a single season. … Lemondre Joe is tied for the national lead in passes broken up with 13, tied with Cal's Brent Austin.

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