FORT COLLINS — On the eve of the start of football camp, naming the scheme of Colorado State’s new offense is a multiple-choice question.
Perhaps fans at CSU and nearly every other school with an offseason coaching change clamored for some version of the spread offense. Run it efficiently with the right personnel and the numbers are sure to sit atop the NCAA statistical charts.
Run it for the sake of joining this decade’s trend offense and the chains still won’t move.
“Call us a multiple offense that still believes in a physical run game to build everything else around,” said CSU coach Steve Fairchild, who opens his first camp Tuesday. “You win games if you can run the ball.”
That sounds like every offense CSU has attempted since Fairchild’s earlier assistant coaching stint from 1993-2000.
Without multiple receiving threats, a running game often won’t get very far.
New wide receiver Ryan Gardner said: “We have three or four good running backs. I think we’ll do a lot of play action.”
Spring ball taught Fairchild this much: The running game is in top shape with seniors Kyle Bell and Gartrell Johnson, changeup backs Michael Myers and lone underclassman John Mosure.
The offensive line, which went through some painful rebuilding in the past two seasons, is in reasonable shape.
But a still-to-be-named starting quarterback and a bevy of wide receivers unavailable in spring ball create an urgency.
“Right now (tight end) Kory Sperry and our running backs are the offensive playmakers,” Fairchild said.
As for wide receiver, he said: “We’re waiting for that to happen. We’ve got some talent. We’re going to add to that significantly in August. . . . They still have to go out and make plays until we trust them to do it in a game.”
No area frustrated Fairchild as much in spring ball as the inexperienced returning receivers. He placed a priority on getting the newly signed wideouts to participate in summer conditioning.
After years of receivers with small frames, the Rams have some height in this year’s group.
Gardner appears taller than his listed 6-feet-1. Incoming freshmen Marquise Law and Byron Steele are listed at 6-4 and 6-3, respectively. Late junior college signee Jyrone Hickman is 6-3.
It didn’t go unnoticed by senior linebacker Jeff Horinek during 7-on-7 summer workouts.
“They all look big, fast and strong,” Horinek said. “I’m really excited to see them once we get pads on.”
Gardner said he liked the atmosphere and coaching staff. When he was last timed in the 40 at junior college, he claimed a 4.3-second dash.
“There’s a lot of overall team excitement between the new guys coming in and the old guys,” he said. “I don’t think the coaches are going to have any favorites.”
CSU preseason camp
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Quarterback battle: When spring ended, it was senior Billy Farris’ job to lose. A walk-on from Baton Rouge, La., in his fifth year at CSU, Farris won the respect of the wide receiver newcomers during summer workouts. Redshirt freshman T.J. Borcky will still get a look, as will junior Grant Stucker. Local freshman Alex Kelly will get a chance early to show whether or not he will get a redshirt year.
2. Thud, thud, crunch: New coach Steve Fairchild promises more contact work in the preseason, including a full-bore scrimmage Aug. 16, and a to-be-announced night scrimmage that will be closed to the public. The practice field scoreboard, used last spring for a funky scoring system awarding points for big plays by offense and defense, will get another workout.
3. Cornerback rotation: Injuries hampered development of a largely new crop. Walk-on Nick Oppenneer was the revelation of the spring. If DeAngelo Wilkinson can finally put shoulder woes behind him, he will be a big factor. Redshirt freshmen Brandon Owens, Elijah-Blu Smith and Ivory Herd figure in the mix.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
TE Kory Sperry, RBs Kyle Bell and Gartrell Johnson, DE Tommie Hill, LBs Jeff Horinek and Ricky Brewer, safeties Mike Pagnotta and Klint Kubiak.
KEY DATES
Tuesday: First practice, 7:45 a.m.
Saturday: First practice in pads, 7:45 a.m.
Aug. 10: First two-a-days, 7:45 a.m./4 p.m.
Aug. 16: First scrimmage
Aug. 25: Classes start, game week preparation
All times subject to change, practices may be moved without notice to Hughes Stadium.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
