FORT COLLINS — The numbers impressed player and coach alike, which isn’t always the case.
In Colorado State’s 28-21 win over New Mexico, Rams quarterback Nick Stevens hit 16-of-23 passes for 264 yards. The sophomore added a touchdown pass. But more importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over.
There were no fumbles and no interceptions, the first time in four games Stevens hadn’t thrown a pass to the other side.
A big step.
“Absolutely. I think any time you can go play a whole game and not have a turnover it’s really a positive thing,” Stevens said. “That’s just kind of what I’ve been striving for the whole season, and I was finally able to achieve that on Saturday.”
While it is easier for the fan in the stands to decipher what Stevens is doing throwing the ball — good or bad — what gets lost is his development in running the offense as a whole. For the past few weeks, Bobo has been quick to compliment what his quarterback has done to aid the run game.
It has nothing to do with his ability to scramble but everything to do with getting to the line of scrimmage, seeing what the defense is presenting and calling the right play. It’s the way Bobo wants it, and it puts a lot on Stevens’ shoulders. Bobo said the Rams rarely go to the line of scrimmage with a play called, so it’s up to Stevens to read the defense, find the advantage and get the offense going.
It’s not just that Bobo feels he’s doing well, he has numbers to back the claim. Offensively, the Rams rank in the top 20 nationally in terms of fewest plays thrown for a loss per game (4.26). They’ve also rushed for more than 200 yards in each of the past three, all wins.
“I’ve put a lot on the quarterback the last three games, and he’s responded very well,” Bobo said. “The running game is a lot due to him getting us in the right play and doing it quickly, doing it really fast at the line, where they can’t check the checker.”
His first season as a starter hasn’t been the smoothest of rides, not that any logical person assumed it would. He had a breeze of a time in the season opener against Savannah State, throwing touchdown passes to five receivers. The next week, the offense was a no-show against Minnesota, and through the first six weeks, people outside the program were questioning if he was the guy.
Inside the program, where it matters, players and coaches witnessed a player growing, one that never seemed to lose confidence. At the same time, his knowledge of the offense was growing while Bobo was scaling it back, making the Rams more efficient the past six weeks.
“I think what’s impressed me with him recently is him just knowing more of where to go with the ball,” receiver Joe Hansley said. “He’s always been a cool, calm, collected guy in the huddle and on the field. I think him just learning the offense and the way he’s prepared each week has really helped him in games.”
Turnovers have been an issue, for the team as a whole.
Last week was his fourth game without a pick.
He’s also had multiple touchdown passes in five games, up to 20 on the year, tied for the fifth-best season total in program history.
