2022 Colorado State Rams football team explained

Year:2022
Team:Colorado State Rams
Sport:football
Conference:Mountain West Conference
Division:Mountain Division
Short Conf:MW
Record:3–9
Conf Record:3–5
Head Coach:Jay Norvell
Hc Year:1st
Off Coach:Matt Mumme
Oc Year:1st
Off Scheme:Air raid
Def Coach:Freddie Banks
Dc Year:1st
Def Scheme:4–2–5

The 2022 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University as a member of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Jay Norvell, the Rams compiled an overall record of 3–9 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing fifth in the MW's Mountain Division. Colorado State played home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado,

Preseason

Incoming transfers

As of February 16, 2022, Colorado State has added 21 transfers prior to the 2022 season, per the Coloradoan[1] and 247Sports.[2] Eleven of those transfers signed as part of the 2022 early signing class, which consisted of 22 athletes — 11 transfers and 11 high school recruits.[3]

QBClay MillenRd. FreshmanMount SiSnoqualmie, WANevada
RBAvery MorrowJuniorGarfieldSeattle, WANevada
WRMatt GreenwaldRd. SophomoreFairviewBoulder, COBoise State
WRTory HortonJuniorWashington UnionFresno, CANevada
WRMelquan StovallSeniorJunipero SerraLancaster, CANevada
TE/LBPeter MontiniJuniorFoothillPleasanton, CANevada
OLDontae KeysGrad. StudentJack BrittFayetteville, NCFIU
OLGray DavisGrad. StudentParish EpiscopalDallas, TXNevada
OLJacob GardnerJuniorLos OsosRancho Cucamonga, CANevada
OLDante BivensGrad. StudentKlein CollinsHouston, TXTulsa
OLTrevyn HeilRd. FreshmanGrandviewAurora, CONevada
DL/OLBC.J. OnyechiGrad. StudentWest OrangeWest Orange, NJRutgers
DLTeivis TuiotiRd. SophomoreLincoln SoutheastLincoln, NENevada
DBChigozie AnusiemRd. SeniorSonoraLa Habra, CACalifornia
DBDonavann CollinsRd. JuniorCedar HillCedar Hill, TXTCU
DBD'Andre GreeleySophomoreBullardFresno, CACCSF
DBAJ KingJuniorLocke AcademyLos Angeles, CANevada
DBGreg LadayRd. JuniorMemorialPort Arthur, TXNorthern Colorado
KHenry KatlemanRd. JuniorMalibuTopanga, CAOregon
PPaddy TurnerRd. FreshmanMarian CollegeArarat, Victoria, AustraliaNevada
ATHVann SchieldSophomoreRock CanyonCastle Pines, COCSU–Pueblo

Recruiting class of 2022

Colorado State football signed 11 recruits[4] as part of their 2022 early signing class, per 247Sports.com.[5]

Star ratings vary by recruiting service; star ratings below are 247Sports Composite ratings, a composite average of ratings across major recruiting services provided by 247Sports.com.

QBBrayden Fowler-NicolosiAledoAledo, TX0.8418Arizona, Arkansas St., Middle Tenn., Nevada,
Oregon St., Pittsburgh, Toledo
December 14, 2021December 15, 2021
QBJackson StrattonLa JollaLa Jolla, CA0.8559Brown, Columbia, FIU, Nevada, Oregon St.,
Penn, Washington, Washington St.
December 15, 2021December 15, 2021
WRMekhi FoxPasadenaPasadena, CA 0.8888Arizona St., Florida, FAU, Nebraska, Nevada,
Oregon, UCLA, Utah, USC
December 15, 2021December 15, 2021
WRLouis BrownInglewoodSouth Los Angeles, CA0.8178Arizona State, NevadaDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021
WRJustus Ross-SimmonsInglewoodRochester, NY0.8382NevadaDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021
WRKy Oday Jr.Cherry CreekDenver, CO0.7993Air Force, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado,
Penn, Wyoming
June 7, 2021December 15, 2021
TEJordan WilliamsSt. PaulSanta Fe Springs, CA0.8426NoneDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021
OLAubrey ScottLeuzingerCompton, CA0.8410Arizona, Arizona St., Boise St., Kansas,
Nevada, UNLV, Utah
December 14, 2021December 15, 2021
OLAaron KarasPomonaArvada, CO0.7943Air Force, Army, NevadaDecember 12, 2021December 15, 2021
LBMarshon OxleyInglewoodSouth Los Angeles, CA0.8464Colorado, Kansas, Michigan St., San Diego St.,
San Jose St., UNLV
December 14, 2021December 15, 2021
DBCorey Lambert Jr.Brother MartinHarvey, LA0.8365Austin Peay, Columbia, Duke, FAU, Illinois, Memphis,
Nevada, Penn, Princeton, Southern Miss, Troy, Tulane
December 15, 2021December 15, 2021

= National Signing Days for 2022 class: Early: December 15, 2021. Regular: February 2, 2022.[6]
= Despite being rated as a four star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports.com, Fox received a three star 247Sports Composite rating.

The 2022 early recruiting class included three teammates at Inglewood High School — Louis Brown, Justus Ross-Simmons, and Marshon Oxley. The class was highlighted by multiple players who flipped commitments from Nevada to Colorado State to stay with head coach Jay Norvell, as well as the class's highest rated recruit, Mekhi Fox, who flipped from UCLA to Colorado State. The class consisted of six recruits from California, two from Colorado, and one from Texas, New York, and Louisiana.

According to the Coloradoan, four other players have committed to the team, but have not signed a National Letter of Intent.[7] They may sign a NLI at a later date, join the team as a walk-on, or play elsewhere. Either way, these players were not considered part of the official signing class:

Staff

Coaching changes

2022 coaching staff

1st Iowa
Offensive coordinator/Associate head coach 1st Kentucky
1st North Dakota State
1st Texas A&M
James Finley Tight ends coach 1st Oregon
Running backs coach 1st Stephen F. Austin
Chad Savage Wide receivers coach 1st San Diego
Bill Best Offensive line coach 1st Louisiana–Monroe
Marcus Patton Cornerbacks coach 1st Kansas State
Buddha Williams Defensive line coach 1st Charleston
Adam Pilapil Linebackers coach 1st Wyoming
Jordan Simmons Head strength and conditioning coach 1st Lenoir–Rhyne

Game summaries

At No. 8 Michigan

See also: 2022 Michigan Wolverines football team.

Statistics CSUMICH
First downs 14 25
Total yards 219 440
Rushing yards 82 234
Passing yards 137 206
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 29:30 30:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 16/20, 137 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Ajon Vivens 10 rushes, 35 yards
Receiving 6 receptions, 69 yards, TD
Michigan Passing 9/18, 136 yards, TD
Rushing 13 rushes, 76 yards, TD
Receiving 2 receptions, 65 yards, TD

Middle Tennessee State

See also: 2022 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team.

Statistics MTSUCSU
First downs 20 16
Total yards 380 246
Rushing yards 114 -10
Passing yards 266 256
Turnovers 2 4
Time of possession 31:19 28:41
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Chase Cunningham 31/39, 266 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Frank Peasant 22 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Izaiah Gathings 11 receptions, 92 yards
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 20/30, 256 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Ajon Vivens 12 rushes, 41 yards
Receiving Tory Horton 9 receptions, 186 yards, 3 TD

At Washington State

See also: 2022 Washington State Cougars football team.

Statistics CSUWSU
First downs 14 21
Total yards 249 442
Rushing yards 37 143
Passing yards 212 299
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 32:37 27:23
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 25/35, 212 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Avery Morrow 8 rushes, 28 yards
Receiving Ty McCullouch 4 receptions, 57 yards
Washington State Passing 24/34, 299 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing Nakia Watson 8 rushes, 74 yards
Receiving Donovan Ollie 7 receptions, 82 yards, 2 TD

No. 7 (FCS) Sacramento State

See also: 2022 Sacramento State Hornets football team.

Statistics SACCSU
First downs 25 10
Total yards 395 253
Rushing yards 160 75
Passing yards 235 178
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 33:58 26:02
Team Category Player Statistics
Sacramento State Passing Jake Dunniway 12/23, 164 yards, TD, INT
Rushing 17 rushes, 67 yards, TD
Receiving Cameron Skattebo 3 receptions, 56 yards
Colorado State Passing 6/15, 116 yards, TD
Rushing Ajon Vivens 10 rushes, 31 yards
Receiving Tory Horton 3 receptions, 127 yards, TD

At Nevada

See also: 2022 Nevada Wolf Pack football team.

Statistics CSUNEV
First downs 13 19
Total yards 255 358
Rushing yards 177 114
Passing yards 78 244
Turnovers 3 2
Time of possession 28:13 31:47
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado State Passing Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 11/22, 78 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Avery Morrow 24 carries, 168 yards
Receiving Tory Horton 9 receptions, 64 yards
Nevada Passing Nate Cox 20/42, 244 yards, INT
Rushing Toa Taua 23 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD
Receiving BJ Casteel 9 receptions, 87 yards

Utah State

See also: 2022 Utah State Aggies football team.

Statistics USUCSU
First downs 24 14
Total yards 390 262
Rushing yards 252 99
Passing yards 138 163
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 29:30 30:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Utah State Passing 9/12, 85 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Calvin Tyler Jr. 24 carries, 129 yards
Receiving Justin McGriff 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD
Colorado State Passing Giles Pooler 11/32, 144 yards, INT
Rushing Avery Morrow 27 carries, 116 yards, TD
Receiving Louis Brown IV 4 receptions, 52 yards

Hawaii

See also: 2022 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team.

Statistics HAWCSU
First downs 15 19
Total yards 257 386
Rushing yards 84 209
Passing yards 173 177
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 24:15 35:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Hawaii Passing 18/30, 173 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Dedrick Parson 15 carries, 71 yards
Receiving Zion Bowens 2 receptions, 38 yards
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 17/24, 177 yards
Rushing Avery Morrow 26 carries, 147 yards, 2 TD
Receiving 4 receptions, 64 yards

At Boise State

See also: 2022 Boise State Broncos football team.

Statistics CSUBOIS
First downs 6 30
Total yards 170 514
Rushing yards 3 209
Passing yards 167 305
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 22:25 37:35
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 13/20, 161 yards, TD
Rushing Keegan Holles 4 carries, 21 yards
Receiving Justus Ross-Simmons 1 reception, 76 yards, TD
Boise State Passing 24/30, 305 yards, 2 TD
Rushing 21 carries, 108 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Stefan Cobbs 4 receptions, 91 yards

At San Jose State

See also: 2022 San Jose State Spartans football team.

Statistics CSUSJSU
First downs 23 20
Total yards 468 355
Rushing yards 135 81
Passing yards 333 274
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 33:22 26:38
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 15/24, 261 yards, INT
Rushing Avery Morrow 17 carries, 124 yards, TD
Receiving Tory Horton 9 receptions, 196 yards, TD
San Jose State Passing 27/42, 274 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Kairee Robinson 12 carries, 64 yards, 2 TD
Receiving 6 receptions, 80 yards, TD

Wyoming

See also: 2022 Wyoming Cowboys football team.

Statistics WYOCSU
First downs 12 18
Total yards 236 372
Rushing yards 142 121
Passing yards 94 251
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 29:19 30:41
Team Category Player Statistics
Wyoming Passing Jayden Clemons 7/11, 90 yards, TD
Rushing Titus Swen 16 carries, 73 yards
Receiving Alex Brown 1 reception, 32 yards, TD
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 18/26, 251 yards, INT
Rushing Avery Morrow 22 carries, 104 yards
Receiving Tory Horton 8 receptions, 168 yards

At Air Force

See also: 2022 Air Force Falcons football team.

Statistics CSUAF
First downs 15 22
Total yards 244 359
Rushing yards 65 359
Passing yards 179 0
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 22:31 37:29
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 19/24, 179 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Avery Morrow 8 carries, 42 yards
Receiving Jaylen Thomas 6 receptions, 49 yards
Air Force Passing Haaziq Daniels 0/2, 0 yards
Rushing Brad Roberts 37 carries, 184 yards, TD
Receiving

New Mexico

See also: 2022 New Mexico Lobos football team.

Statistics UNMCSU
First downs 9 14
Total yards 133 305
Rushing yards 71 75
Passing yards 62 230
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 26:34 33:26
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico Passing C. J. Montes 12/27, 62 yards
Rushing Christian Washington 18 rushes, 88 yards
Receiving Elijah Queen 3 receptions, 22 yards
Colorado State Passing Clay Millen 19/24, 214 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Avery Morrow 22 rushes, 62 yards
Receiving Tory Horton 10 receptions, 131 yards, TD

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Colorado State football recruiting and transfer tracker. December 15, 2021. December 15, 2021. Fort Collins Coloradoan.
  2. Web site: Colorado State 2022 Football Commits. December 20, 2021. 247Sports.com.
  3. Web site: CSU Rams football early National Signing Day class of 2022. December 20, 2021. The Denver Post. 15 December 2021 .
  4. Web site: CSU football signing day tracker: Meet Colorado State's first recruits under coach Jay Norvell. December 16, 2021. Fort Collins Coloradoan.
  5. Web site: Colorado State 2022 Football Commits. December 16, 2021. 247Sports.com.
  6. Web site: National Signing Periods. National Letter of Intent. January 29, 2022.
  7. Web site: CSU football 2022 transfer and recruit tracker. January 3, 2022. Fort Collins Coloradoan.
  8. Web site: Colorado State fires coach Steve Addazio after going just 4-12 in two turbulent seasons. December 2, 2021. December 2, 2021. CBS Sports.
  9. Web site: Jay Norvell to be named CSU Rams football coach, source says. The Denver Post. December 6, 2021. December 6, 2021.
  10. Web site: REPORT: Steve Addazio set to be Texas A&M's new OL Coach. January 22, 2022. SB Nation. 21 January 2022 .
  11. Web site: CSU football coaching tracker: Which assistant coaches are joining Jay Norvell's staff?. December 31, 2021. Yahoo via Coloradoan.
  12. Web site: Montana State defensive coordinator Freddie Banks to be hired by Colorado State. January 3, 2022. Missoulian.
  13. Web site: TWEET: CSU O-line coach Louie Addazio will become the new offensive line coach at Nevada. December 31, 2021. Twitter.
  14. Web site: Bison defensive ends coach headed to Colorado State. January 3, 2022. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. 30 December 2021 .