What We Saw in 2019
12/1/2019 12:00:00 PM | Football
Young Rams Excited About the Future
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Those who lifted the weights, sweated and made plays said it was different.
Warren Jackson knows it was. Yes, the junior wideout was disappointed with a four-win season, but whether or not anybody believes him or anybody else in the program, the Rams were a different team, and to continue the trend, he is convinced the current path is the correct one.
"I would say last year we were terrible. This year we weren't terrible," Jackson said. "Every game we were in it pretty much, so I think we're going to stick to the same thing this offseason. Green Forge, nobody knows what that is, but it's excruciating pain we started last offseason, and I think it helped us gain a lot in different ways -- school, off the field, football. Grinding things and doing it when you don't want to do it. I think it started to show a little bit this season, and next year we're going to stick to all of that and show everybody what it's all about."
The Rams were in striking distance late in seven of their losses, but three of those final scores became lopsided affairs with poor showings in the fourth quarter against Colorado, Arkansas and Air Force. In each of those games, teams scored defensive touchdowns against them to extend leads. Those are facts the players are keenly aware of, too, and addressing them is key to taking the next step.
After the underclassmen said their goodbyes to seniors in the locker room, all of them were already excited to start working toward a complete turnaround.
"I think guys know what we have and how close we are every game," tight end Trey McBride said. "We didn't get blown out one time this year, so we're in every single game. What's exciting is we're bringing a lot of guys back, and I'm really excited to be a part of it."
To McBride's point, the Rams will return the majority of their production in every major category next season.
All of the passing yards return, 93.8 percent of the receiving yardage, 57 percent of the ground game and 69.1 percent of the scoring. Defensively, the Rams have back 56.9 percent of the tackles, 61.7 percent of tackles for loss, 60.3 percent of sacks and 66.7 percent of the interceptions.
It accounts for 72 percent of the games started back on the Colorado State roster for 2020, and sophomores and freshmen accounted for 100 of the 264 starts in 2019.
"We're young. We're a young football team," Jackson said. "I don't think we're losing that many guys. I think a lot of starters will come back. You see how close we're getting, and I don't think it will stop next year. I think it will continue to grow."
Defensive Improvement
The Rams finished the season allowing just 377.4 yards per game of total offense, thanks to a closing run of seven consecutive games of allowing less than 400 yards to teams. It is the longest in-season streak against FBS opponents since the 1995 campaign.
That run allowed Colorado State to finish ranked 53rd nationally, with the pass defense ranked 10th (181.6). Twice in those seven games, the Rams kept foes to less than 300 yards, allowing just 91 yards on the ground to No. 21 Boise State.
"It's been tremendous. If you look at the first four games to now, our defense is completely different," safety Logan Stewart said. "I think that's over time of guys really buying in, and we're going in the right direction, going toward the future. It's our effort and how we never give up. No matter the situation, our defense, we're always going to go full tilt. That's something we can build on going into next year and get even better than how we finished this season."
Target Areas
With as many returning pieces as the Rams have, the players acknowledge there are concerning areas which they have to target to turn close losses into wins.
Defensively, giving up 195.8 yards per game on the ground can't continue. While the yardage totals went down, opponents still averaged 25.5 points per game. When the opposition reached the red zone, they scored 88 percent of the time, 65 percent of them touchdowns. When it comes to sudden change, the defense wants to be more resilient. Of the 24 turnovers the Rams had this season, four led directly to defensive touchdowns. Six others resulted in touchdown drives, six in field goals.
This was the second time in five seasons the Rams did not average 29 points per game, and they weren't overly productive in the red zone, scoring 76 percent of the time, just 57 percent touchdowns. The kicking wasn't trustworthy, as three players combined to make just 14 of 24 attempts. This was also the second season in a row the Rams didn't average 140 yards per game on the ground after averaging at least 197 the first three years. Only once in five season have the Rams had a 1,000-yard rusher.
"I think we all could have done better at moments, and that's me, coaches, players, everybody included," head coach Mike Bobo said. "Ultimately, I'm responsible for that."
Warren Jackson knows it was. Yes, the junior wideout was disappointed with a four-win season, but whether or not anybody believes him or anybody else in the program, the Rams were a different team, and to continue the trend, he is convinced the current path is the correct one.
"I would say last year we were terrible. This year we weren't terrible," Jackson said. "Every game we were in it pretty much, so I think we're going to stick to the same thing this offseason. Green Forge, nobody knows what that is, but it's excruciating pain we started last offseason, and I think it helped us gain a lot in different ways -- school, off the field, football. Grinding things and doing it when you don't want to do it. I think it started to show a little bit this season, and next year we're going to stick to all of that and show everybody what it's all about."
The Rams were in striking distance late in seven of their losses, but three of those final scores became lopsided affairs with poor showings in the fourth quarter against Colorado, Arkansas and Air Force. In each of those games, teams scored defensive touchdowns against them to extend leads. Those are facts the players are keenly aware of, too, and addressing them is key to taking the next step.
After the underclassmen said their goodbyes to seniors in the locker room, all of them were already excited to start working toward a complete turnaround.
"I think guys know what we have and how close we are every game," tight end Trey McBride said. "We didn't get blown out one time this year, so we're in every single game. What's exciting is we're bringing a lot of guys back, and I'm really excited to be a part of it."
To McBride's point, the Rams will return the majority of their production in every major category next season.
All of the passing yards return, 93.8 percent of the receiving yardage, 57 percent of the ground game and 69.1 percent of the scoring. Defensively, the Rams have back 56.9 percent of the tackles, 61.7 percent of tackles for loss, 60.3 percent of sacks and 66.7 percent of the interceptions.
It accounts for 72 percent of the games started back on the Colorado State roster for 2020, and sophomores and freshmen accounted for 100 of the 264 starts in 2019.
"We're young. We're a young football team," Jackson said. "I don't think we're losing that many guys. I think a lot of starters will come back. You see how close we're getting, and I don't think it will stop next year. I think it will continue to grow."
Defensive Improvement
The Rams finished the season allowing just 377.4 yards per game of total offense, thanks to a closing run of seven consecutive games of allowing less than 400 yards to teams. It is the longest in-season streak against FBS opponents since the 1995 campaign.
That run allowed Colorado State to finish ranked 53rd nationally, with the pass defense ranked 10th (181.6). Twice in those seven games, the Rams kept foes to less than 300 yards, allowing just 91 yards on the ground to No. 21 Boise State.
"It's been tremendous. If you look at the first four games to now, our defense is completely different," safety Logan Stewart said. "I think that's over time of guys really buying in, and we're going in the right direction, going toward the future. It's our effort and how we never give up. No matter the situation, our defense, we're always going to go full tilt. That's something we can build on going into next year and get even better than how we finished this season."
Target Areas
With as many returning pieces as the Rams have, the players acknowledge there are concerning areas which they have to target to turn close losses into wins.
Defensively, giving up 195.8 yards per game on the ground can't continue. While the yardage totals went down, opponents still averaged 25.5 points per game. When the opposition reached the red zone, they scored 88 percent of the time, 65 percent of them touchdowns. When it comes to sudden change, the defense wants to be more resilient. Of the 24 turnovers the Rams had this season, four led directly to defensive touchdowns. Six others resulted in touchdown drives, six in field goals.
This was the second time in five seasons the Rams did not average 29 points per game, and they weren't overly productive in the red zone, scoring 76 percent of the time, just 57 percent touchdowns. The kicking wasn't trustworthy, as three players combined to make just 14 of 24 attempts. This was also the second season in a row the Rams didn't average 140 yards per game on the ground after averaging at least 197 the first three years. Only once in five season have the Rams had a 1,000-yard rusher.
"I think we all could have done better at moments, and that's me, coaches, players, everybody included," head coach Mike Bobo said. "Ultimately, I'm responsible for that."