September 1st 2024.
The game between Fort Air Raid and Texas was nothing short of intense. Coach Jay Norvell was a bundle of nerves as he paced up and down the sidelines at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, donning a 10-gallon tin foil hat. In a move that raised a few eyebrows, Norvell had a staffer carrying a giant orange screen behind him in the third quarter, just in case the Texas team tried to steal any of their signs. It was clear that Norvell was taking no chances, especially with a huge lead of 38-0 for Texas.
As the second half began, Norvell made a bold decision to punt the ball on fourth-and-2 from midfield, despite being down by 31 points. To add to the confusion, he called a timeout right before making the decision. One would expect such a move in a game where the odds were stacked against them, like this one where Fort Air Raid was the underdog by 34 points. But it seemed like the team was playing it safe, almost as if they were afraid to lose.
Apart from their star tailback Justin Marshall and the strong front seven on defense, it felt like the rest of the CSU team was playing with a sense of caution. The 52-0 loss was not just physical bruises, but the overall performance of the team left much to be desired. Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was throwing passes off his back foot and into triple coverage, while star wideout Tory Horton only had five touches throughout the game.
It wasn't just the scoreboard that was disheartening for the fans of Fort Fun. It was the lack of confidence and aggression from the team that truly shook their faith in Norvell. It's easy to brush off a loss and move on, but what happens when it becomes a pattern? The thought of a potential disaster season loomed over the fans.
Looking back at their previous season opener in 2022 against Michigan, where they faced a similar situation and lost 51-7, it was understandable. But now, two years later with a revamped roster and a coach who has had time to build his team, losing by 50 points to Texas was unacceptable. Especially when they have a critical season ahead with big home games and a new athletic director.
The Longhorns, led by coach Steve Sarkisian, were a formidable opponent with their talented lineup and SEC speed. But there was no one else on CSU's schedule that came close to the level of Texas. So why reveal their hand so early in the season? It was a critical game for Norvell to prove himself and his team, yet the lack of swagger, tempo, and overall mojo was concerning.
Even their rare moment of taking a risk felt more like an accident than a planned move. On fourth-and-5, punter Paddy Turner attempted to run the ball after bobbling the snap, resulting in a 2-yard loss and giving Texas the ball at their 31-yard line. This eventually led to a field goal for Texas, extending their lead to 10-0.
The CSU defense did put up a fight, but it was short-lived. In the first quarter, Texas had 154 yards compared to CSU's 36, yet the Rams were only down by a touchdown. But as the game progressed, it became clear that the Longhorns were in control. They made Horton and Fowler-Nicolosi look like strangers on the field.
The only silver lining for the Rams was the upcoming home games against UNC and the Rocky Mountain Showdown against Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. These two games would be crucial for Norvell to prove that the Week 1 loss was just a fluke and not a sign of things to come.
However, the question remains, was it worth it for CSU to collect $1.8 million from Texas for scheduling this mismatch? The game was a disaster, and it's hard to imagine anyone having a good time on that trip. Norvell's predecessor, Mike Bobo, had acknowledged the importance of playing a team like Texas, but it seems like the Rams still have a long way to go before they can compete with the likes of them.
The road ahead is filled with challenges, and it's crucial for CSU to show some progress and improvement in their upcoming games. Otherwise, it's going to be a long and difficult season for Fort Air Raid.
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