Colorado State University Athletics
10/30/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
Film, not numbers, tell the tale
The offensive line has changed. Quarterbacks and running backs have been shuffled. Tight ends and wide receivers move in and out of the lineup.
Â
Still, the points keep coming. Colorado State enters Saturday's game at Utah State ranked 12th in the nation in scoring offense at 38.6 points per game. If the Rams keep up that pace, it will set a school record for a season.
Â
"You look at our offense and there's not one player who just has the stats that would be nationally recognized, but you have an offense that comprehensively is pretty good," CSU coach Jim Mora said on Wednesday. "We've got a lot of weapons and I've said that since … Really since the first day, I think that we assembled and started talking about the guys here in the spring or in the summer is that we've got a lot of different guys who can kind of take the bit and take the lead for that day. And that makes it hard to defend.
Â
"Once again, teams don't always defend players. You defend schemes. So I think it's sometimes a little bit overstated that you have to stop this guy."
Â
This week won't be different for the Rams, with Mora expecting Juice Vereen to be out an extended amount of time, but leaving the door open for the return of RJ Vick.
Â
Mora is correct about national leaders, even Pac-12 leaders. Both Mel Brown and Durell Robinson rank in the top 10 in rushing, but the Rams don't have a single receiver in the top 10 in the conference. With the quarterbacks splitting time, neither of them have compiled the numbers of others.
Â
But the sum of the parts has been pretty good. Robinson, with his nine touchdowns, ranks second in the league in the category. Besides, it's the scoreboard which has the final say. And during the game, Mora doesn't see that mattering much to offensive coordinator Pryce Tracy and the players he's orchestrating.
"We have an offensive coordinator who likes to attack, whether we're behind or we're in the lead," Mora said. "He's got an attack mentality. We've got players who want to go out and attack."
Â
Opposites Attract
Â
Colorado State ranks last in scoring defense. That's where Utah State's offense ranks, making Saturday a battle of the cellar dwellers.
Â
True to his thinking, Mora said the numbers aren't what matters when it comes to building a scouting report.
Â
"We look at the film, we look at the performance, we look at the players, we look at the scheme. We don't look at the numbers," Mora said. "That's what you're evaluating -- the players. Who they feature, what is their scheme, what are they going to do against a particular look, where are their adjustments. Stats, you can manipulate statistics any way you want to manipulate statistics. It's how you play."
Â
Both teams have had issues this season along the way, leaving both at 1-2 in Pac-12 play. Colorado State goes to Logan looking to build a winning streak and even its record overall (3-4); Utah State is 2-5 coming off a loss.
Â
Even still, Mora can see areas where the Aggies can create issues for his squad.
Â
"These guys are a good football team. You should see them play defense. I mean, they freaking run and they hit and they swarm and they know what they're doing," he said. "They're impressive to watch on film. Offensively, they cause problems. They've got some receivers that you really have to pay attention to, and their quarterback's a good runner.
Â
"They're going to challenge us at every level, which is what this is all about. College football is all about is the next challenge and the next opportunity. "
Â
A Rare Treat
Â
A game on Halloween is about as rare for the Rams as finding a house which gives out full-sized candy bars, a win even more rare.
Â
Colorado State has played on Halloween just 15 times prior to this game with Utah State, winning just five of those contests. The last time the team played on the date was 2015, the last win coming in 2002, 31-12 at Air Force.
Â
Against Utah State, the night has definitely been a treat: Colorado State is 2-0 against the Aggies.
Â
Â
Still, the points keep coming. Colorado State enters Saturday's game at Utah State ranked 12th in the nation in scoring offense at 38.6 points per game. If the Rams keep up that pace, it will set a school record for a season.
Â
"You look at our offense and there's not one player who just has the stats that would be nationally recognized, but you have an offense that comprehensively is pretty good," CSU coach Jim Mora said on Wednesday. "We've got a lot of weapons and I've said that since … Really since the first day, I think that we assembled and started talking about the guys here in the spring or in the summer is that we've got a lot of different guys who can kind of take the bit and take the lead for that day. And that makes it hard to defend.
Â
"Once again, teams don't always defend players. You defend schemes. So I think it's sometimes a little bit overstated that you have to stop this guy."
Â
This week won't be different for the Rams, with Mora expecting Juice Vereen to be out an extended amount of time, but leaving the door open for the return of RJ Vick.
Â
Mora is correct about national leaders, even Pac-12 leaders. Both Mel Brown and Durell Robinson rank in the top 10 in rushing, but the Rams don't have a single receiver in the top 10 in the conference. With the quarterbacks splitting time, neither of them have compiled the numbers of others.
Â
But the sum of the parts has been pretty good. Robinson, with his nine touchdowns, ranks second in the league in the category. Besides, it's the scoreboard which has the final say. And during the game, Mora doesn't see that mattering much to offensive coordinator Pryce Tracy and the players he's orchestrating.
"We have an offensive coordinator who likes to attack, whether we're behind or we're in the lead," Mora said. "He's got an attack mentality. We've got players who want to go out and attack."
Â
Opposites Attract
Â
Colorado State ranks last in scoring defense. That's where Utah State's offense ranks, making Saturday a battle of the cellar dwellers.
Â
True to his thinking, Mora said the numbers aren't what matters when it comes to building a scouting report.
Â
"We look at the film, we look at the performance, we look at the players, we look at the scheme. We don't look at the numbers," Mora said. "That's what you're evaluating -- the players. Who they feature, what is their scheme, what are they going to do against a particular look, where are their adjustments. Stats, you can manipulate statistics any way you want to manipulate statistics. It's how you play."
Â
Both teams have had issues this season along the way, leaving both at 1-2 in Pac-12 play. Colorado State goes to Logan looking to build a winning streak and even its record overall (3-4); Utah State is 2-5 coming off a loss.
Â
Even still, Mora can see areas where the Aggies can create issues for his squad.
Â
"These guys are a good football team. You should see them play defense. I mean, they freaking run and they hit and they swarm and they know what they're doing," he said. "They're impressive to watch on film. Offensively, they cause problems. They've got some receivers that you really have to pay attention to, and their quarterback's a good runner.
Â
"They're going to challenge us at every level, which is what this is all about. College football is all about is the next challenge and the next opportunity. "
Â
A Rare Treat
Â
A game on Halloween is about as rare for the Rams as finding a house which gives out full-sized candy bars, a win even more rare.
Â
Colorado State has played on Halloween just 15 times prior to this game with Utah State, winning just five of those contests. The last time the team played on the date was 2015, the last win coming in 2002, 31-12 at Air Force.
Â
Against Utah State, the night has definitely been a treat: Colorado State is 2-0 against the Aggies.
Â
Players Mentioned
Monday, October 26
Saturday, October 24
Saturday, October 24
Saturday, October 24