The Colorado State Rams are seeking a positive turnaround as they emerge from their bye week, preparing to face the UNLV Rebels on Saturday. With a record of 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the Mountain West Conference, the Rams are focused on improving under the guidance of interim head coach Tyson Summers.
After their second bye week of the season, the Rams utilized the time to regroup and evaluate their performance. “Our focus has to be on us,” Summers stated. “We have four games remaining against strong opponents. This period allowed us to return to the organizational flow we aim for in our offense, defense, and special teams. We could assess what”s working and what isn”t.”
The last outing for the Rams ended in disappointment, as they were blanked by Wyoming in a 28-0 loss on October 25. The Wyoming defense effectively stifled the Rams” offensive efforts while capitalizing on their scoring chances.
Despite the setback, the Rams remain optimistic about finishing the season on a high note. Summers emphasized the importance of consistency and adapting strategies that enhance their chances of winning. “We continuously adjust to find the best path to victory,” he remarked.
This week, tight ends coach Grant Chesnut will have his second opportunity to call offensive plays. In his initial game overseeing the offense, the Rams managed 305 yards but failed to score against Wyoming. With an additional week for preparation, Summers is hopeful for improved offensive output against UNLV. “We want to see progress,” he said. “We”ve discussed translating our practice efforts into scoring opportunities.”
The Rams” quarterback, Jackson Brousseau, is expected to lead the charge in this crucial match. Summers expressed pride in the offensive players and coaches, highlighting the progress made over the past two weeks.
On the defensive side, the Rams have faced numerous injuries, putting pressure on players to step up. Linebacker Owen Long has emerged as a standout, ranking third in the nation with 103 total tackles and leading with an average of 12.9 tackles per game. “Owen has had an exceptional season, particularly as he has remained healthy and taken on a leadership role,” Summers noted.
The Rams hope that the extra preparation time will yield positive results against UNLV and the remaining teams on their schedule, which include contests against New Mexico and Boise State.
The matchup between CSU and UNLV is set to kick off at 7:30 PM on Saturday at Canvas Stadium.
Scouting UNLV
The Rebels arrive at this game with a record of 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the Mountain West Conference. However, they are looking to bounce back after recent losses to Boise State and New Mexico.
Leading the UNLV offense is junior quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who has thrown for 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 450 yards and four touchdowns. Junior running back Jai”Den Thomas is a key contributor with 649 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while senior receiver Jaden Bradley tops the receiving corps with 586 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, senior linebacker Marsel McDuffie leads the team with 62 tackles, complemented by three tackles for loss, a sack, and two interceptions. Senior defensive end Tunmise Adeleye has recorded 25 tackles and three sacks, while senior defensive back Aamaris Brown leads with four interceptions.
Historically, CSU holds an advantage in the series against UNLV, leading 17-7-1. The last encounter occurred in 2023, where the Rebels narrowly defeated the Rams 25-23, ending a four-game winning streak for CSU. The teams have not faced off in Fort Collins since 2019, when CSU claimed a 37-17 victory.
Injury Report
As the Rams prepare for Saturday”s game, they face challenges with injuries. The latest report indicates seven players will be unavailable for the matchup against UNLV: offensive linemen Chandler Brown and John Holthaus, running back Keegan Holles, wide receivers Jordan Ross and Petey Tucker, defensive back A.J. Noland, and tight end Jaxxon Warren.
On a positive note, defensive backs Dagan Myers and Elijah Brown are back after missing the previous game. However, Tucker, Warren, and Chandler Brown remain on the injury list, having missed multiple games already, while Holthaus, Ross, and Noland have been added to the report this week.
