FORT COLLINS — Air Force’s option offense provides a unique challenge, and to attack it, Colorado State’s defensive brass came up with a plan that involved a little switching around.
The Rams wanted Cory James back outside to help contain the perimeter, opening up the middle to play emerging linebacker Deonte Clyburn. James — coach Mike Bobo calls him the one defender the Rams have that can erase mistakes — was solid in his tasks, Clyburn led the team with 10 tackles in the game and the result was holding the Air Force running game to 60 yards below its average in a 38-23 victory for CSU at Hughes Stadium.
It worked so well, the change has remained permanent, and the Rams’ defense has played better overall as a result because of the things each player can bring to his position.
For James, it was a return home to the strongside position he played the three years before. Don’t blame the new coaching staff, but it came in and saw a physical specimen who could create chaos, and in Tyson Summers’ defensive scheme, that’s what he wants in a middle linebacker.
But James was never just there. He was needed at the end in pass-rush situations, and though he has only two sacks this season, he is among the team leaders in tackles for loss (eight) and also has four quarterback hurries, one of which was a key contribution last week.
“Probably having him (at strongside linebacker) is a lot better for us,” Bobo said.
Better for James too.
To him, the position fits like a glove, so in the Rams’ last five games he has felt more like himself.
“That’s the position I’ve been playing since I got here, so that’s what’s most comfortable for me,” James said. “It really is natural.”
