Colorado State University Athletics
11/9/2026 3:27:00 PM | Football
Finding motivation step by step
Throughout the season, Colorado State has chosen four players each week to represent them as captains for a game. For a good portion of the season, the names have been pretty consistent, players who are leaders in ways beyond simple production.
Â
Coach Jim Mora decided to change things up for the final three games of the campaign, having the players vote on six captains to lead them through the homestretch, with three on each side of the ball.
Â
The names didn't surprise him: Hauss Hejny, Phillip Ocon, Mel Brown, Oumar Diomande, Robby Harrison and D'Mon Brinson.
Â
"I think the guys did a really good job of putting a lot of thought into it, choosing six guys that represent what we strive to be every day off the field, guys that practice the way we want, prepare the way we want, talk to their teammates the way they want, that we want, and represent this program the way we want," Mora said Monday at his weekly press conference. "So proud of those guys and proud of the team for the thought they put into it."
Â
Mora said Hejny's selection was almost unanimous. Brinson's selection says a lot, too. He showed up originally to be a graduate assistant, challenged for extra eligibility and won and has become one of the Rams' top defenders.
Â
While he was trying to coach, he kept working out, just to be prepared.
Â
"It says a lot about his character and his toughness and the commitment that he's made," Mora said of Brinson, who is sixth in tackles with 33 with just seven games played. "You know the story -- everyone knows the story. He's come in here to help scout and coach, and now he's a captain. He's a really dependable, good kid, takes everything very seriously. The players respect him because I think they saw him come in and work as a coach.
Â
"Like his initial impression on those guys was, 'hey, I'm here to help you, you know, off the field. I'm not going to be on the field with you.' And then when he had the opportunity to step on the field with them, they immediately embraced him."
Â
One goal, then another
Â
As down as the mood has been after games, inside the facility optimism still lives. Mora said the captains selected were for the next three games, and hopefully a fourth. That possibility is still out there.
Â
The Rams have to play better defensively for it to happen. They also have to find a way to win on the road, the next opportunity coming Saturday at Washington State.
Â
Motivation is the next goal they can pursue.
Â
"It's important, and you have to put them in order because number one is do everything we can to try to go get a win on the road, which keeps the dream alive going to a bowl game," Mora said. "You have to have a carrot out there. And we don't like the message to get too big, which I've told you guys a lot and focus on the long term. It's more just how can we be really good today. You still need some things that you can aim for, you know. And these guys lock back in quick.
Â
"They have handled adversity with a lot of resolve. I really commend the players for the way they've stayed connected. You have seen times in sports where one side of the ball is playing exceptionally well and one side is trying to find their way, and it creates a little division, and there is not a whisper of that. I think that's a credit to the offensive coaches, the defensive coaches, but more importantly to the players."
Â
Here and There
Â
Washington State is still looking for its first conference win and doing so with an offense which has struggled, scoring just 19.0 points per game. Colorado State has the least amount of tackles for loss in the league (32), but Washington State has allowed the most (60). … The Cougars have used both Caden Pinnick and Owen Eshlman at quarterback, both of whom are mobile. Eshelman has started the past three games, throwing for 779 yards this season with two touchdowns and three interceptions, adding 203 yards on the ground with three scores. … CSU won the first meeting between the two teams. That was the memorable 2013 New Mexico Bowl, but the Cougars have won the past three meetings.
Â
Â
Coach Jim Mora decided to change things up for the final three games of the campaign, having the players vote on six captains to lead them through the homestretch, with three on each side of the ball.
Â
The names didn't surprise him: Hauss Hejny, Phillip Ocon, Mel Brown, Oumar Diomande, Robby Harrison and D'Mon Brinson.
Â
"I think the guys did a really good job of putting a lot of thought into it, choosing six guys that represent what we strive to be every day off the field, guys that practice the way we want, prepare the way we want, talk to their teammates the way they want, that we want, and represent this program the way we want," Mora said Monday at his weekly press conference. "So proud of those guys and proud of the team for the thought they put into it."
Â
Mora said Hejny's selection was almost unanimous. Brinson's selection says a lot, too. He showed up originally to be a graduate assistant, challenged for extra eligibility and won and has become one of the Rams' top defenders.
Â
While he was trying to coach, he kept working out, just to be prepared.
Â
"It says a lot about his character and his toughness and the commitment that he's made," Mora said of Brinson, who is sixth in tackles with 33 with just seven games played. "You know the story -- everyone knows the story. He's come in here to help scout and coach, and now he's a captain. He's a really dependable, good kid, takes everything very seriously. The players respect him because I think they saw him come in and work as a coach.
Â
"Like his initial impression on those guys was, 'hey, I'm here to help you, you know, off the field. I'm not going to be on the field with you.' And then when he had the opportunity to step on the field with them, they immediately embraced him."
Â
One goal, then another
Â
As down as the mood has been after games, inside the facility optimism still lives. Mora said the captains selected were for the next three games, and hopefully a fourth. That possibility is still out there.
Â
The Rams have to play better defensively for it to happen. They also have to find a way to win on the road, the next opportunity coming Saturday at Washington State.
Â
Motivation is the next goal they can pursue.
Â
"It's important, and you have to put them in order because number one is do everything we can to try to go get a win on the road, which keeps the dream alive going to a bowl game," Mora said. "You have to have a carrot out there. And we don't like the message to get too big, which I've told you guys a lot and focus on the long term. It's more just how can we be really good today. You still need some things that you can aim for, you know. And these guys lock back in quick.
Â
"They have handled adversity with a lot of resolve. I really commend the players for the way they've stayed connected. You have seen times in sports where one side of the ball is playing exceptionally well and one side is trying to find their way, and it creates a little division, and there is not a whisper of that. I think that's a credit to the offensive coaches, the defensive coaches, but more importantly to the players."
Â
Here and There
Â
Washington State is still looking for its first conference win and doing so with an offense which has struggled, scoring just 19.0 points per game. Colorado State has the least amount of tackles for loss in the league (32), but Washington State has allowed the most (60). … The Cougars have used both Caden Pinnick and Owen Eshlman at quarterback, both of whom are mobile. Eshelman has started the past three games, throwing for 779 yards this season with two touchdowns and three interceptions, adding 203 yards on the ground with three scores. … CSU won the first meeting between the two teams. That was the memorable 2013 New Mexico Bowl, but the Cougars have won the past three meetings.
Â
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ FootballMonday, November 09
Saturday, November 07
Saturday, November 07
Monday, November 02