2022 Colorado State Rams football team explained
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]
QB | Clay Millen | Rd. Freshman | Mount Si | Snoqualmie, WA | Nevada |
RB | Avery Morrow | Junior | Garfield | Seattle, WA | Nevada |
WR | Matt Greenwald | Rd. Sophomore | Fairview | Boulder, CO | Boise State |
WR | Tory Horton | Junior | Washington Union | Fresno, CA | Nevada |
WR | Melquan Stovall | Senior | Junipero Serra | Lancaster, CA | Nevada |
TE/LB | Peter Montini | Junior | Foothill | Pleasanton, CA | Nevada |
OL | Dontae Keys | Grad. Student | Jack Britt | Fayetteville, NC | FIU |
OL | Gray Davis | Grad. Student | Parish Episcopal | Dallas, TX | Nevada |
OL | Jacob Gardner | Junior | Los Osos | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Nevada |
OL | Dante Bivens | Grad. Student | Klein Collins | Houston, TX | Tulsa |
OL | Trevyn Heil | Rd. Freshman | Grandview | Aurora, CO | Nevada |
DL/OLB | C.J. Onyechi | Grad. Student | West Orange | West Orange, NJ | Rutgers |
DL | Teivis Tuioti | Rd. Sophomore | Lincoln Southeast | Lincoln, NE | Nevada |
DB | Chigozie Anusiem | Rd. Senior | Sonora | La Habra, CA | California |
DB | Donavann Collins | Rd. Junior | Cedar Hill | Cedar Hill, TX | TCU |
DB | D'Andre Greeley | Sophomore | Bullard | Fresno, CA | CCSF |
DB | AJ King | Junior | Locke Academy | Los Angeles, CA | Nevada |
DB | Greg Laday | Rd. Junior | Memorial | Port Arthur, TX | Northern Colorado |
K | Henry Katleman | Rd. Junior | Malibu | Topanga, CA | Oregon |
P | Paddy Turner | Rd. Freshman | Marian College | Ararat, Victoria, Australia | Nevada |
ATH | Vann Schield | Sophomore | Rock Canyon | Castle Pines, CO | CSU–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.
QB | Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi | Aledo | Aledo, TX | | 0.8418 | Arizona, Arkansas St., Middle Tenn., Nevada, Oregon St., Pittsburgh, Toledo | December 14, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
QB | Jackson Stratton | La Jolla | La Jolla, CA | | 0.8559 | Brown, Columbia, FIU, Nevada, Oregon St., Penn, Washington, Washington St. | December 15, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
WR | Mekhi Fox | Pasadena | Pasadena, CA | ‡ | 0.8888 | Arizona St., Florida, FAU, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, UCLA, Utah, USC | December 15, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
WR | Louis Brown | Inglewood | South Los Angeles, CA | | 0.8178 | Arizona State, Nevada | December 14, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
WR | Justus Ross-Simmons | Inglewood | Rochester, NY | | 0.8382 | Nevada | December 14, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
WR | Ky Oday Jr. | Cherry Creek | Denver, CO | | 0.7993 | Air Force, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Penn, Wyoming | June 7, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
TE | Jordan Williams | St. Paul | Santa Fe Springs, CA | | 0.8426 | None | December 14, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
OL | Aubrey Scott | Leuzinger | Compton, CA | | 0.8410 | Arizona, Arizona St., Boise St., Kansas, Nevada, UNLV, Utah | December 14, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
OL | Aaron Karas | Pomona | Arvada, CO | | 0.7943 | Air Force, Army, Nevada | December 12, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
LB | Marshon Oxley | Inglewood | South Los Angeles, CA | | 0.8464 | Colorado, Kansas, Michigan St., San Diego St., San Jose St., UNLV | December 14, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
DB | Corey Lambert Jr. | Brother Martin | Harvey, LA | | 0.8365 | Austin Peay, Columbia, Duke, FAU, Illinois, Memphis, Nevada, Penn, Princeton, Southern Miss, Troy, Tulane | December 15, 2021 | December 15, 2021 |
|
- = 247Sports Composite rating; ratings are out of 1.00. (five stars= 1.00–.98, four stars= .97–.90, three stars= .80–.89, two stars= .79–.70, no stars= <70)
†= 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
- Head coach: On December 2, 2021, Colorado State announced that they had fired head coach Steve Addazio after two seasons. Addazio posted a record of 4–12 in his two years as head coach of the Rams.[8] Four days later, on December 6, 2021, Nevada's head coach Jay Norvell was hired as Colorado State's next head coach. Norvell became the program's 24th head coach and the first Black head coach in school history.[9] Addazio was later hired by Texas A&M as an offensive line coach.[10]
- Offensive coordinator: Nevada's offensive coordinator Matt Mumme was hired as Colorado State's new offensive coordinator and associate head coach. He replaced former offensive coordinator Jon Budmayr after one season.[11]
- Defensive coordinator: Montana State's defensive coordinator Freddie Banks was hired as Colorado State's new defensive coordinator. He replaced former defensive coordinator Chuck Heater after two seasons. Banks had worked with Norvell previously, serving as Nevada's cornerbacks coach in 2020.[12]
- Special teams coordinator: UTSA special teams coordinator Tommy Perry was hired to fill the team's special teams coordinator position that was left vacant during Addazio's tenure.
- Running backs coach: Jeremy Moses was hired as Colorado State's new running backs coach. He replaced former running backs coach Brian White.
- Wide receivers coach: Nevada's wide receivers coach Timmy Chang was originally one of the many Nevada coaches planning to follow Norvell to Colorado State, but was later hired by Hawaii as their new head coach. Nevada's tight end coach Chad Savage took the job instead.
- Tight ends coach: James Finley, the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at California high school Mater Dei, was hired as Colorado State's new tight ends coach. He replaced former tight ends coach Cody Booth.
- Offensive line coach: Nevada's offensive line coach Bill Best was hired as Colorado State's new offensive line coach. He replaced former offensive line coach Louie Addazio, who was hired by Nevada.[13]
- Defensive line coach: North Dakota State's defensive ends coach Buddha Williams was hired as Colorado State's new defensive line coach.[14] He replaced former defensive line and assistant head coach Antoine Smith.
- Cornerbacks coach: Marcus Patton was hired by CSU as their new cornerbacks coach. He was previously the defensive coordinator at Tarleton State.
- Linebackers coach: Montana State's defensive line coach Adam Pilapil followed defensive coordinator Freddie Banks to Colorado State to become the team's new linebackers coach. He replaced former linebackers coach Sean Cronin.
- Strength and conditioning coach: Nevada's head strength and conditioning coach Jordan Simmons was hired for the same job at Colorado State.
2022 coaching staff
Game summaries
At No. 8 Michigan
See also: 2022 Michigan Wolverines football team.
Statistics | CSU | MICH |
---|
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 | MTSU | CSU |
---|
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 | CSU | WSU |
---|
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 | SAC | CSU |
---|
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 | CSU | NEV |
---|
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 | USU | CSU |
---|
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 | HAW | CSU |
---|
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 | CSU | BOIS |
---|
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 | CSU | SJSU |
---|
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 | WYO | CSU |
---|
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 | CSU | AF |
---|
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 | UNM | CSU |
---|
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
- Web site: Colorado State football recruiting and transfer tracker. December 15, 2021. December 15, 2021. Fort Collins Coloradoan.
- Web site: Colorado State 2022 Football Commits. December 20, 2021. 247Sports.com.
- Web site: CSU Rams football early National Signing Day class of 2022. December 20, 2021. The Denver Post. 15 December 2021 .
- Web site: CSU football signing day tracker: Meet Colorado State's first recruits under coach Jay Norvell. December 16, 2021. Fort Collins Coloradoan.
- Web site: Colorado State 2022 Football Commits. December 16, 2021. 247Sports.com.
- Web site: National Signing Periods. National Letter of Intent. January 29, 2022.
- Web site: CSU football 2022 transfer and recruit tracker. January 3, 2022. Fort Collins Coloradoan.
- 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.
- Web site: Jay Norvell to be named CSU Rams football coach, source says. The Denver Post. December 6, 2021. December 6, 2021.
- Web site: REPORT: Steve Addazio set to be Texas A&M's new OL Coach. January 22, 2022. SB Nation. 21 January 2022 .
- Web site: CSU football coaching tracker: Which assistant coaches are joining Jay Norvell's staff?. December 31, 2021. Yahoo via Coloradoan.
- Web site: Montana State defensive coordinator Freddie Banks to be hired by Colorado State. January 3, 2022. Missoulian.
- Web site: TWEET: CSU O-line coach Louie Addazio will become the new offensive line coach at Nevada. December 31, 2021. Twitter.
- Web site: Bison defensive ends coach headed to Colorado State. January 3, 2022. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. 30 December 2021 .