Colorado State University Athletics
Tuesday Presser: Rams Tasked to Redefine
10/7/2025 1:57:00 PM | Football
Playing with disciplined effort the goal
There weren't a lot of returning starters to begin with. Now there are fewer, thanks to a wave of injuries. The Rams coach Jay Norvell envisioned are different from the Colorado State team on the practice field heading into Friday's game with Fresno State.
Â
The only thing to do at this point is reevaluate and then redefine who they can become moving forward, Norvell said at Tuesday's press conference. Moving forward will continue.
Â
The Rams had fewer penalties – just one – which was a goal. So was improving special teams play, which Norvell felt they did. Operating on offense and defense with consistency is the real adjustment.
Â
"I just think we have to be realistic in what we're actually playing with and what we have," Norvell said. "We're different than we were a month ago, and I think we could be more different if we had a little good fortune in a couple of these games, especially in the first half.
Â
"You know, we continue to sustain a drive, we score, we make a big play. I think maybe we have some confidence, and we're sitting in a different spot right now, but that's not the case. So, we've got to continue to push our guys and strive."
Â
Change is part of it. Norvell has mentioned doing things on offense which better fit the skillset of quarterback Jackson Brousseau. The Rams have been able to rely on a strong running game, but the unit has lacked sustained success and explosive plays.
Â
On defense, the loss of two starters on the line and two others behind them has thinned out an already thin area, which showed up in the loss to San Diego State.
Â
"Where I think we struggled was the physicality of the game, holding up, and especially in the run game. I thought as the game went along, I think we struggled defensively to hold up to that physicality," Norvell said. "We've got to find ways to do that with the guys that we've got playing right now. We've got some young guys that are battling, that are playing hard, that are playing with technique. And we've got to kind of be creative in how we can work to stop the run right now."
Â
As a team, Colorado State is looking to start a run. Play more consistently, find a rhythm with who they have, hit a big play on both sides of the ball.
Â
Norvell likes his team. Likes the players he has. They just look a bit different than a month ago, and because of that, they have to redefine the how.
Â
"We like the talent that we have. And, you know, we get a break here or there, maybe we're sitting in a little different place right now, but that's not the case," Norvell said. "So, we've got to deal with where we're at and what we're doing and the reality of that and make the corrections and move forward."
Â
Splash Plays
Â
They don't always come on offense. Some of the most impactful happen on defense – a turnover to change the tide, a tackle for loss which puts an opposing offense behind the chains. The Rams haven't had many of them either recently.
Â
Colorado State has not produced a turnover in two games, and the one it thought it had was wiped out by the lone penalty. There was only one tackle for loss in the game, and that came late.
Â
"We need turnovers because we don't have a whole ton of explosive playmakers. We've got a lot of good football players, but we've got to make up for that, for getting a turnover, getting a punt return, getting a sack," Norvell said. "We haven't been able to generate much pass rush."
Â
The Rams have just 20 tackles for loss this season (tied for last in the conference), 4.0 sacks (last in the MW) and have created five turnovers in five games.
Â
Here and There
Â
Fresno State enters second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 19.5 points per game and second in rush defense at 110.0 yard per game. … Owen Long continues to lead the nation in tackles per game, now up to 13.6. … The Bulldogs have two backs who have rushed for more than 300 yards this season, Bryson Donelson (382) and Rayshon Luke (346).
Â
Â
The only thing to do at this point is reevaluate and then redefine who they can become moving forward, Norvell said at Tuesday's press conference. Moving forward will continue.
Â
The Rams had fewer penalties – just one – which was a goal. So was improving special teams play, which Norvell felt they did. Operating on offense and defense with consistency is the real adjustment.
Â
"I just think we have to be realistic in what we're actually playing with and what we have," Norvell said. "We're different than we were a month ago, and I think we could be more different if we had a little good fortune in a couple of these games, especially in the first half.
Â
"You know, we continue to sustain a drive, we score, we make a big play. I think maybe we have some confidence, and we're sitting in a different spot right now, but that's not the case. So, we've got to continue to push our guys and strive."
Â
Change is part of it. Norvell has mentioned doing things on offense which better fit the skillset of quarterback Jackson Brousseau. The Rams have been able to rely on a strong running game, but the unit has lacked sustained success and explosive plays.
Â
On defense, the loss of two starters on the line and two others behind them has thinned out an already thin area, which showed up in the loss to San Diego State.
Â
"Where I think we struggled was the physicality of the game, holding up, and especially in the run game. I thought as the game went along, I think we struggled defensively to hold up to that physicality," Norvell said. "We've got to find ways to do that with the guys that we've got playing right now. We've got some young guys that are battling, that are playing hard, that are playing with technique. And we've got to kind of be creative in how we can work to stop the run right now."
Â
As a team, Colorado State is looking to start a run. Play more consistently, find a rhythm with who they have, hit a big play on both sides of the ball.
Â
Norvell likes his team. Likes the players he has. They just look a bit different than a month ago, and because of that, they have to redefine the how.
Â
"We like the talent that we have. And, you know, we get a break here or there, maybe we're sitting in a little different place right now, but that's not the case," Norvell said. "So, we've got to deal with where we're at and what we're doing and the reality of that and make the corrections and move forward."
Â
Splash Plays
Â
They don't always come on offense. Some of the most impactful happen on defense – a turnover to change the tide, a tackle for loss which puts an opposing offense behind the chains. The Rams haven't had many of them either recently.
Â
Colorado State has not produced a turnover in two games, and the one it thought it had was wiped out by the lone penalty. There was only one tackle for loss in the game, and that came late.
Â
"We need turnovers because we don't have a whole ton of explosive playmakers. We've got a lot of good football players, but we've got to make up for that, for getting a turnover, getting a punt return, getting a sack," Norvell said. "We haven't been able to generate much pass rush."
Â
The Rams have just 20 tackles for loss this season (tied for last in the conference), 4.0 sacks (last in the MW) and have created five turnovers in five games.
Â
Here and There
Â
Fresno State enters second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 19.5 points per game and second in rush defense at 110.0 yard per game. … Owen Long continues to lead the nation in tackles per game, now up to 13.6. … The Bulldogs have two backs who have rushed for more than 300 yards this season, Bryson Donelson (382) and Rayshon Luke (346).
Â
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Weekly Press Conference - Week 6 (2025)
Tuesday, October 07
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Post-Game (San Diego State, 2025)
Saturday, October 04
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Weekly Press Conference - Week 5 (2025)
Monday, September 29
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Post-Game (Washington State, 2025)
Saturday, September 27