FORT COLLINS –– Steve Addazio accepted blame while repeating phrases such as “it’s my responsibility” and “I have to get that corrected” immediately following last season’s .
Specifically, Colorado State’s head coach embraced culpability in light of the that occurred on BSU’s blue turf –– in which the Rams surrendered three total touchdowns off a pair of blocked punts and one swatted field goal.
Time is a flat circle.
“That error was directly on me,” Addazio said in reference to at Utah State. “I’ve got to have the foresight to anticipate in those pressure situations. It’s my responsibility to make sure our execution, our operation, everything is intact. That didn’t happen. So that’s something we have addressed, worked on and corrected.”
Evidently, the above response echoed the general themes of 2020’s third-phase meltdown against the Broncos.
Hence, in a sense, the green and gold’s special teams issues coincidentally come full circle just before renewing its series with BSU on Saturday at Canvas Stadium. Only this time around, the aspect of the Rams’ glaring red flags in said department differs.
Rather than in the kick coverage realm –– where CSU has primarily performed adequately this season –– Addazio’s late-game field-goal management represents the present cause for concern.
With an opportunity to stay unscathed in Mountain West play last Friday, junior Cayden Camper shanked a game-winning 41-yard try after CSU unnecessarily rushed its field goal unit out –– instead of utilizing the contest’s remaining 11 seconds to at USU.
“We needed more sideline constraint in that situation, and that’s been addressed,” Addazio said. “But we’ve moved past that. Our mentality is outstanding right now. They’re jacked up and really together. This is an extremely resilient, bought-in team. We’ve had some roller-coaster rides, but it hasn’t deterred us.”
As Addazio mentioned, despite the potentially soul-crushing outcome in Logan, it seems the squad has maintained enthusiasm while preparing for BSU’s Fort Collins-bound trip.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the resiliency CSU displayed by mounting an improbable comeback after trailing USU by nine with less than four minutes left. And since commencing the campaign in an ugly 0-2 ditch, the Rams keep achieving new ways to respond once adversity strikes.
Still, if history reveals anything, it’s that toppling the Broncos will require more than a gritty demeanor. Seeking the program’s first win over BSU, CSU boasts an 0-10 all-time record versus the Mountain West’s perennial powerhouse.
“That’s the high watermark in the conference,” Addazio said. “Of course, the players know we haven’t beaten Boise, and it would be a great accomplishment. But we respect how hard that will be because there’s a reason it hasn’t happened.”
Though the Rams’ losing trend could continue while entering Saturday’s clash as 2.5-point underdogs, history doesn’t always tell the present’s tale. And it’s worth noting how the current Broncos haven’t quite resembled the prior squads which annually breeze their way toward conference stardom.
Constituting an up-and-down segment, the introductory chapter of Andy Avalos’ era atop BSU’s helm marks the first instance in which the Broncos (3-4, 1-2 MW) have dropped at least four of their first seven games since 1997.
Throughout 2021’s uncharacteristically hot-and-cold venture, the team mirrored juggernauts of BSU’s past when defeating No. 10 BYU on the road three weeks ago. However, with home losses against both Nevada and Air Force to their name, the Broncos appear beatable at times.
Sure, per usual, the blue-turf bulldozers can cross off most boxes upon representing a balanced program across the field. Offensively, with the all-MW quarterback-receiver connection of Hank Bachmeier and Khalil Shakir, BSU ranks inside the MW’s top third in more categories than not –– including points per game (29.4), weekly passing yards (278.7), and red-zone efficiency (90.6%).
Though mainly carried by offensive output, the Broncos still check into the conference’s top half in a plethora of vital defensive areas as well –– allowing 22 points per contest and a hair greater than 200 passing yards on average.
Nevertheless, one particular facet has inhibited Avalos’ troupe from truly operating as a well-rounded arsenal — an inability to produce in the ground game, both offensively and defensively.
“We’ve got to spread the ball out through the air and play well in the backend against this team, but it all starts up front,” Addazio said.
Under Saturday evening’s lights, CSU’s running back corps enter a mouth-watering matchup –– facing a scuffling rushing defense that yields 198.3 yards per week (second-to-last in the MW).
Meanwhile, David Bailey and company’s 172.3 yards per game rank fourth among all MW squads on the ground.
To put the promise surrounding said comparison into perspective, BSU boasts a 1-3 record when conceding at least 160 rushing yards –– a number CSU’s run game has eclipsed on five occasions, winning three of those affairs.
“We been hit pretty hard up front (on offense), and we’re hoping to get some guys back,” Addazio said. “But we’re still progressing. I thought the offensive line played quite well last week. We just have to keep growing there and get healthy.”
As Addazio touched on, CSU’s offensive line admirably made do in the absence of Keith Williams, Elijah Johnson and Vincent Picozzi at USU as Bailey scampered across a makeshift front for a season-most 159 yards.
Now, regardless of if the Rams return an injured asset or two, creating space in the trenches won’t necessarily provide difficulty –– given BSU’s scuffling rush hindrance.
CSU fans can possess a similarly optimistic outlook when flipping sides of the ball to a Broncos rushing attack averaging 84 yards a contest (11th in the MW). After accruing 1,000-plus yards in 2019, injuries continue plaguing top back George Holani. And behind a problematic offensive line, no fellow Boise backs have managed to pick up the slack.
“I mean, just look at the guys we have up front (on defense),” Addazio said. “Guys like (Scott) Patchan, Toby (McBride), Manny (Jones), (Devin) Phillips. They’re talented guys that can do both –– stop the run and they’re outstanding pass rushers. They’re tough and they’ve got leadership.”
Game at a glance
Matchup: Colorado State (3-4, 2-1 Mountain West) vs. Boise State (3-4, 1-2 MW)
Kickoff: 5 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Canvas Stadium (Fort Collins)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KARS 102.9 FM
