September 1st 2024.
The recent game at Fort Air Raid was quite the spectacle, but not for the reasons one might think. Instead of a fierce competition, it felt more like a frightened raid, with Coach Jay Norvell sporting a tin foil hat on the sidelines. To make matters even more interesting, one of his staff members was trailing him with a giant orange screen, just in case the opposing team, Texas, tried to steal their plays in the midst of their overwhelming 38-0 lead.
In the third quarter, Norvell made an interesting decision to punt the ball from midfield on a fourth-and-2, even after calling a timeout. This could be seen as a wise move, considering they were the underdogs with a 34-point deficit on the road against a talented Texas team. It's understandable to play it safe in such a situation, but it almost seemed as though Colorado State (CSU) was playing not to engage, apart from their star player, Justin Marshall, and the front seven on defense.
The game wasn't just a simple defeat with a score of 52-0, or the constant punts. It was the way CSU seemed to lack confidence and aggression in their play. Despite having a talented roster, they seemed to be holding back. This was evident in the limited touches for wideout Tory Horton, one of the best offensive players in the Mountain West conference, touching the ball only five times. It was clear that the optics of the game were not in CSU's favor, and it left their fan base disappointed and questioning the team's potential for success.
Looking back at the previous season opener in 2022, when CSU faced a similar situation against Michigan, it's understandable that the team would struggle. But with a new season and a revamped roster, one would expect to see some improvement. Unfortunately, the game against Texas proved otherwise, with a crushing defeat of half a hundred points. It's hard not to question the decisions made by Coach Norvell, especially in a critical season with big home games and a new athletic director.
Despite the circumstances, it was disappointing to see the lack of swagger, tempo, and overall mojo from the CSU team. This was in stark contrast to the University of Colorado (CU), where their players Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter took control of the game with their confidence and skill. Even the rare moment of risk-taking from the Rams, with punter Paddy Turner's attempted run, seemed more like an accident than a strategic move. It resulted in a loss of yards and gave Texas the ball back in a favorable position.
The defense did their best to contain Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in the first quarter, forcing him to make risky plays. However, by the second quarter, the tide had turned, and the game was slipping away from CSU. With only 36 yards compared to Texas' 154 in the first quarter, it was a surprise that the Rams were only down by a touchdown. But by the end of the second quarter, the game was out of reach, with Texas asserting their dominance.
In the midst of the disappointment and frustration, there were some silver linings. Coach Norvell now has a chance to redeem himself and the team in two big in-state games at Canvas Stadium. If they can show improvement and defeat UNC and CU, it could help regain the trust of the fans and prove that the first game of the season was just a fluke.
However, it's hard to ignore the fact that CSU received a hefty sum of $1.8 million from Texas as a "guarantee" for scheduling this game. It's a significant amount of money, but at what cost? Was it worth it for the team to suffer such a humiliating defeat on national television? It's clear that there needs to be a better way for CSU to secure funding without risking their reputation and confidence in the process.
Overall, it's evident that there is still a long way to go for Colorado State football. With a tough schedule ahead, it will be interesting to see how the team bounces back from this defeat and if they can prove their worth in the upcoming games. As for the fans, they can only hope that this was just a bump in the road and not a sign of things to come.
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