Setting the Stage: Ram Defenders Excited for the Challenge

One doesn't have to be a genius to figure out Owen Long is a bit pumped up this week. So are a bunch of his defensive teammates.

They know Air Force is going to run the ball and do it a lot. It will require great eyes and for players to be assignment sound, but the smashmouth part is what has them geared up.

"Obviously, this is some old school football this week. This is going to be some play downhill and aggressive," CSU's sophomore linebacker said. "It's one of those games where walking into it you already know what it's going to be, and you've got to get your mind right for it.

"Personally, this is something I take a lot of pride in because I think this is something I'm built for. Because you know they're coming at you sometime, somewhere. It's 100% that. I mean every time, every single play you have a chance to go run to the ball and finish on the ball which is something to be excited about."

Long has done that a lot this season. In fact, more than anybody. His 134 tackles lead the nation, as do his 12.2 tackles per game. He is the hunter, and the prey isn't exactly trying to hide.

Yes, there will be misdirection and slight of hand, and Colorado State's defense knows as much. They have to be as aware of that as the play-action passing the Falcons bring to the table, the type of plays which can hit big if a defense gets to run centric in its thinking.

Long wants to be aggressive in his approach every game. He understands being aware of the nuances, which is why he will temper is aggressiveness during the week to set it free on Friday.

"During the week is your chance to kind of slow everything down. When you get to the time of the game it's all about playing fast," he said. "Especially against a team like this that runs the option. You can't play slow -- that's where they've got you. So, the game plan is playing as fast as you can and ultimately not thinking while you're out there. You have to get your work done on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to go get ready to play on Friday."

Long enters the game four tackles shy of breaking into the list of the top-10 tackle seasons in program history, and just twice this year has he registered fewer than 10 stops.

Base Knowledge

There's a reason there was a rush to extend the rivalry with Wyoming. There was also a reason for the pause to do the same with Air Force. The option offense is unique and ties in to very little else a defense sees. There was time devoted in spring practice, again in the fall and during a bye week so when this game approached, all the nuances looked familiar.

While this may be the last meeting in some time between the two state schools, Summers remembers his first time quite well.

"Yeah, this would be crazy to think about, but 10 years ago when I played Air Force for the first time when I was here, it was the first time I'd ever gone against an option team," he said. "It's probably corny to say, but I spent the majority of my time studying them with George Boba, Mike's dad.

"George had run the option and been the offensive coordinator and the defensive coordinator for a long time and he taught me a lot. Marty English (a former CSU defensive coach) had been the defensive coordinator. Marty was exceptional with the option and gave me a tremendous background and foundation to be able to learn, and we were able to play really well that day."

Air Force had 406 yards of total offense, 269 on the ground in what became a 38-23 win for the Rams at Hughes Stadium, with the defense creating two turnovers. Since that time Summers has had a few more run ins with the option, notably the one run by Georgia Tech.

In some form, all have their own nuances, but the tactics required to be sound remain the same. And the defenses Colorado State has run this season will come into play.

"I think there are certain defenses that are very specific to options," he said. "So, hopefully we'll be able to do all those things."

Air Force ranks fifth in the country in rushing at 256.5 yards per game, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt and 53 carries a contest.

Speaking of the Old Days

Just like Long, Jack Moran is fired up for the game, even though the young defensive lineman knows it will be a full-on physical test for him, one where he will feel the effects for a few days, at least.

He has to keep his head on a swivel, not just to find the ball carrier, but to fend off the offensive linemen trying to open lanes he is trying to close. This will be his first time, but he has a mentor close at hand – his father Sean. The elder Moran knows all about this game, the rivalry and the nastiness which goes on in the trenches.

"It helps a lot, especially knowing what we're going into. They've been the same program for however long they've been around," Jack said. "It's just good knowing what I'm about to go into and what type of game it's going to be different. I would say it's the most disciplined game you have to be. Some other games you can get away with coming off their block early, but not this. You have to be disciplined for the entirety of the play or else the ball's going to find you and you're going to get out."

It is a rivalry game. There is a trophy on the line. Family pride, too. Sean was 4-0 against the Falcons from 1992-95.

Even to this date, Jack said his father's tone changes when talking about Air Force.

"Definitely, because he definitely didn't like playing against them," he said. "They tend to cut block a lot."

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results