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The season began the usual way for Colorado State football.
Now CSU heads into week 10 with a new energy: a perfect record in Mountain West play. The Rams’ 3-0 conference start is one of the strongest in recent memory, and they aim to extend it against Nevada in Reno, Nevada, this Saturday. For a CSU team that has learned to play through adversity and embrace a new, gritty style, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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Coach Jay Norvell, who coached at Nevada before joining CSU, understands the challenges awaiting the Rams in this matchup.
“Nevada’s been in competitive games all season,” Norvell said. “They play hard, they’re disciplined and their offense is effective. We’re excited for the challenge in Reno.”
With Nevada still finding its identity under offensive coordinator Matt Lubick, who has skillfully managed quarterback Brendon Lewis in both passing and rushing duties, CSU’s defense will need to remain sharp.
“We’ve played a few quarterbacks this season who can hurt you on the ground and in the air,” Norvell said. “It’s going to be key that we manage that challenge by controlling the line.”
Now gaining a reputation for its resilience, the Rams’ defense has shown marked improvement this season. In their last two games, CSU forced seven turnovers, and the Rams aim to keep the streak alive. Safety Henry Blackburn said the team’s commitment to “grit ball” is paying off in big ways.
“We play a gritty game, and we like playing it,” Blackburn said. “It’s not just a style; it’s the identity of this team, and we trust each other out there on every snap. Good things happen when you’re playing for each other.”
While the Rams’ new identity is evident, it’s a testament to the relationships being built behind the scenes. CSU’s coaches and players emphasized the importance of respecting everyone involved in Ram football. From equipment staff to caterers, everyone in Canvas is all in this season.
“Every guy here is bought in,” Blackburn said. “That wasn’t always the case in past years, but now everyone from the scout team to the coaches is locked in and knows what we’re building here.”
On offense, CSU’s strides are just as significant. Wide receiver Armani Winfield said the Rams have worked hard to improve both in play execution and discipline, translating into fewer penalties each week.
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“Penalties are drive killers, and we’ve done a better job avoiding those,” Winfield said. “Staying mentally sharp means we get more scoring chances, and that’s what we need in games like this.”
Winfield also said CSU’s offensive transformation — focusing more on the ground game and creating bigger, more physical formations — required the team to buy in.
“We started running the ball a lot more, using 12 personnel and bigger bodies,” Winfield said. “At first, it was a challenge for us receivers to block a bit more, but we see now that it opens up the field for downfield shots. It’s all coming together.”
Norvell echoed the importance of this physical, gritty approach, saying the team has made it a goal to play more disciplined, mistake-free football to give them the best chance each week.
“This game is about sacrifice and trying to play hard for your teammates,” Norvell said. “We’ve got a locker room full of guys who are sacrificing for each other, and they’ve got to keep putting it on the line.”
This season, CSU’s players have not only bought into Norvell’s vision but have rallied around it. Weekly practices are full contact and designed to mimic game situations, and Norvell believes this tough, hands-on approach has strengthened their play style.
“It’s all about the details,” Norvell said. “Our players are putting in the time to practice real game scenarios, blocking downfield, hustling to the ball. They’ve learned how to grind out wins, and that’s exactly what we need as we enter these final conference matchups.”
With a Nevada squad that has struggled with penalties this season, CSU may have an opportunity to capitalize on its improvements in discipline. The Rams, who continue to sharpen their focus on every down, are preparing to make each possession count.
“If we want the downfield shots we want, we’ve got to do the little things,” Winfield said. “That means blocking well, running the ball and playing as one unit. When we all stay in sync, we’re a tough team to beat.”
As the Rams head to Reno with their eyes on a fourth-straight conference victory and an opportunity for bowl eligibility, the team isn’t taking anything for granted. The Rams know that a win would mean more than just keeping their record spotless. It would represent another step toward solidifying the gritty, disciplined program Norvell envisioned from day one of this year.
For the Rams, it’s about proving that the CSU football program is, once again, a force to be reckoned with in the Mountain West.
Reach Michael Hovey at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @michaelfhovey.
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