2023 Colorado State Rams football team

Last updated

2023 Colorado State Rams football
Colorado State Rams wordmark.svg
Conference Mountain West Conference
Record5–7 (3–5 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Matt Mumme (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Air raid
Defensive coordinator Freddie Banks (2nd season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Home stadium Canvas Stadium
Uniform
Colorado rams football unif.png
Seasons
  2022
2024  
2023 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
UNLV y  6 2   9 5  
Boise State y$  6 2   8 6  
San Jose State  6 2   7 6  
Air Force  5 3   9 4  
Wyoming  5 3   9 4  
Fresno State  4 4   9 4  
Utah State  4 4   6 7  
Hawaii  3 5   5 8  
Colorado State  3 5   5 7  
Nevada  2 6   2 10  
New Mexico  2 6   4 8  
San Diego State  2 6   4 8  
Championship: Boise State 44, UNLV 20
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant

The 2023 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Jay Norvell, the Rams played home games at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Colorado State Rams football team drew an average home attendance of 26,509 in 2023. [1]

Contents

Preseason

Mountain West media poll

The 2023 Mountain West preseason media poll was released on July 19. The Rams were predicted to finish seventh in the conference. [2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 25:00 p.m. Washington State * CBSSN L 24–5031,497
September 168:00 p.m.at No. 18 Colorado * ESPN L 35–43 2OT53,141
September 235:00 p.m.at Middle Tennessee * ESPN+ W 31–2319,806
September 305:00 p.m. Utah Tech *
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO
MW NetworkW 41–2027,932
October 76:00 p.m.at Utah State MW NetworkL 24–4422,864
October 147:45 p.m. Boise State Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO
FS1 W 31–3034,901
October 215:00 p.m.at UNLV MW NetworkL 23–2522,585
October 285:30 p.m.No. 19 Air Force
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO (rivalry)
CBSSNL 13–3022,570
November 36:00 p.m.at Wyoming CBSSNL 15–2427,905
November 115:00 p.m. San Diego State
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO
CBSSNW 22–1922,033
November 181:00 p.m. Nevada
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO
MW NetworkW 30–2020,121
November 259:00 p.m.at Hawaii MW NetworkL 24–2711,013

[3]

Game summaries

Washington State

Washington State Cougars (0-0) at Colorado State Rams (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cougars710122150
Rams3002124

at Canvas StadiumFort Collins, Colorado

  • Date: September 2nd
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. MST/4:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) • Wind: SW at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 31,497
  • Referee: Jeff Dahle
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Dave Ryan (play-by-play), and Corey Chavous (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
    Second quarter
      Third quarter
        Fourth quarter
    StatisticsWashington StateColorado State
    First downs3018
    Plays–yards556357
    Rushes–yards9037
    Passing yards466320
    Passing: compattint----
    Time of possession37:4022:20
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Washington StatePassing Cam Ward 27-49,451 yards, 3 TDs
    RushingCameron Ward13 rushes, 40 yards, TD
    Receiving Lincoln Victor 11 receptions, 168 yards
    Colorado StatePassing Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 13-20, 210 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
    RushingAvery Morrow11 rushes, 29 yards
    Receiving Justus Ross-Simmons 5 receptions, 123 yards, TD

    at No. 18 Colorado

    Colorado State Rams (0-1) at No. 18 Colorado Buffaloes (2-0) – Game summary
    Quarter1234OT2OTTotal
    Rams147077035
    No 18 Buffaloes1400147843

    at Folsom FieldBoulder, Colorado

    • Date: September 16th
    • Game time: 8:00 p.m. MST/7:00 p.m. PST
    • Game weather: Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Wind: SW at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h) • Weather: Clear
    • Game attendance: 53,141
    • Referee: Mike McCabe
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), and Quint Kessenich (sideline reporter)
    Game information
    First quarter
      Second quarter
        Third quarter
          Fourth quarter
      StatisticsColorado StateNo. 18 Colorado
      First downs2424
      Plays–yards87-49972-418
      Rushes–yards10270
      Passing yards397348
      Passing: compattint35-48-338-47-1
      Time of possession34:3725:23
      TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
      Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi34-47, 367 yards, 3 TDs
      RushingKobe Johnson15 carries, 54 yards
      ReceivingTory Horton16 receptions, 133 yards, 1 TD
      No. 18 ColoradoPassing Shedeur Sanders 38-47, 348 yards, 4 TDs
      Rushing Dylan Edwards 10 carries, 57 yards
      Receiving Xavier Weaver 9 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD

      at Middle Tennessee

      Colorado State Rams (0-2) at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-2) – Game summary
      Quarter1234Total
      Rams10071431
      Blue Raiders1070623

      at Johnny "Red" Floyd StadiumMurfreesboro, Tennessee

      • Date: September 23rd
      • Game time: 5:00 p.m. MST/4:00 p.m. PST
      • Game attendance: 19,806
      • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
      Game information
      First quarter
        Second quarter
          Third quarter
            Fourth quarter
        StatisticsColorado StateMiddle Tennessee
        First downs1826
        Plays–yards378430
        Rushes–yards33151
        Passing yards345279
        Passing: compattint31-44-130-41-0
        Time of possession26:0333:57
        TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
        Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi30-43, 321 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
        RushingAvery Morrow6 carries, 20 yards
        Receiving Dallin Holker 11 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
        Middle TennesseePassingNicholas Vattiato30-41, 279 yards, 2 TDs
        RushingNicholas Vattiato15 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD
        ReceivingHolden Willis9 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD

        vs Utah Tech

        Utah Tech Trailblazers (FCS) (1–3) at Colorado State Rams (1–2) – Game summary
        Quarter1234Total
        Trailblazers (FCS)3143020
        Rams14761441

        at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado

        • Date: September 30th
        • Game time: 5:00 p.m. MST/4:00 p.m. PST
        • Game weather: Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: SW at 7 miles per hour (11 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
        • Game attendance: 27,932
        • Referee: Christian Watson
        • TV announcers (MW Network): TBD
        Game information
        First quarter
          Second quarter
            Third quarter
              Fourth quarter
          StatisticsUtah Tech (FCS)Colorado State
          First downs1825
          Plays–yards68–34963–586
          Rushes–yards35–16429–112
          Passing yards185474
          Passing: compattint21–33–127–34–2
          Time of possession34:1925:41
          TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
          Utah Tech (FCS)PassingKobe Tracy21/33, 185 yards, 2 TD, INT
          RushingRonnie Walker Jr.20 carries, 83 yards
          ReceivingRickie Johnson8 receptions, 69 yards
          Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi26/32, 462 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
          RushingVann Schield16 carries, 54 yards, TD
          ReceivingTory Horton10 receptions, 227 yards, 3 TD

          at Utah State

          Colorado State Rams (2–2) at Utah State Aggies (2–3) – Game summary
          Quarter1234Total
          Rams1700724
          Aggies314141344

          at Maverik StadiumLogan, Utah

          • Date: October 7th
          • Game time: 6:00 p.m. MST/5:00 p.m. PST
          • Game weather: Sunny
          • Game attendance: 22,864
          • Referee: Michael Cuttone
          • TV announcers (MW Network): TBD
          Game information
          First quarter
            Second quarter
              Third quarter
                Fourth quarter
            StatisticsColorado StateUtah State
            First downs2028
            Plays–yards83–32084–639
            Rushes–yards26–9555–252
            Passing yards225387
            Passing: compattint26–57–319–29–2
            Time of possession27:1032:50
            TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
            Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi26/57, 225 yards, 3 INT
            RushingKobe Johnson17 carries, 56 yards, TD
            ReceivingLouis Brown IV6 receptions, 54 yards
            Utah StatePassing Cooper Legas 19/29, 387 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
            RushingDavon Booth14 carries, 141 yards, 2 TD
            ReceivingTerrell Vaughn8 receptions, 143 yards, TD

            vs Boise State

            Boise State Broncos (3–3) at Colorado State Rams (2–3) – Game summary
            Quarter1234Total
            Broncos71001330
            Rams00102131

            at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado

            • Date: October 14th
            • Game time: 7:45 p.m. MST/6:45 p.m. PST
            • Game weather: Temperature: 46 °F (8 °C) • Wind: SE at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
            • Game attendance: 34,901
            • Referee: Jonathan Noli
            • TV announcers (FOX/FS1/FS2): TBD
            Game information
            First quarter
              Second quarter
                Third quarter
                  Fourth quarter
              StatisticsBoise StateColorado State
              First downs2321
              Plays–yards66–38475–401
              Rushes–yards43–24621–42
              Passing yards138359
              Passing: compattint15–24–232–54–1
              Time of possession34:2325:37
              TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
              Boise StatePassing Maddux Madsen 10/16, 110 yards, INT
              Rushing Ashton Jeanty 31 carries, 212 yards, 3 TD
              ReceivingAshton Jeanty5 receptions, 42 yards
              Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi32/54, 359 yards, 3 TD, INT
              RushingVann Schield15 carries, 51 yards, TD
              ReceivingTory Horton10 receptions, 130 yards

              at UNLV

              Colorado State Rams (2–4) at UNLV Rebels (5–1) – Game summary
              Quarter1234Total
              Rams01301023
              Rebels0313925

              at Allegiant StadiumLas Vegas, Nevada

              • Date: October 21st
              • Game time: 5:00 p.m. MST/4:00 p.m. PST
              • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
              • Game attendance: 22,585
              • Referee: Nolan Dumas
              • TV announcers (MW Network): Steve Cofield and Matt Neverett
              Game information
              First quarter

              None

              Second quarter
              • (14:15) UNLV – Jose Pizano 42-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 26 yards, 3:58; UNLV 3–0)
              • (7:39) CSU – Jordan Noyes 33-yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 59 yards, 6:31; Tied 3–3)
              • (3:58) CSU – Avery Morrow 2-yard run, Jordan Noyes kick (Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:29; Colorado State 10–3)
              • (0:53) CSU – Jordan Noyes 27-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 1:43; Colorado State 13–3)
              Third quarter
              • (6:05) UNLV – Jose Pizano 43-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 36 yards, 3:43; Colorado State 13–6)
              • (3:06) UNLV – Jose Pizano 25-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:01; Colorado State 13–9)
              • (3:58) UNLV – Donavyn Lester 11-yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:15; UNLV 16–13)
              Fourth quarter
              • (7:36) UNLV – Jose Pizano 34-yard field goal (Drive: 16 plays, 78 yards, 7:40; UNLV 19–13)
              • (3:49) CSU – Justus Ross-Simmons 20-yard pass from Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, Jordan Noyes kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:46; Colorado State 20–19)
              • (1:27) UNLV – Jose Pizano 46-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:17; UNLV 22–20)
              • (0:44) CSU – Jordan Noyes 55-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 0:43; Colorado State 23–22)
              • (0:00) UNLV – Jose Pizano 28-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 0:40; UNLV 25–23)
              StatisticsColorado StateUNLV
              First downs1925
              Plays–yards64–37282–491
              Rushes–yards31–13746–138
              Passing yards235353
              Passing: compattint21–33–127–36–0
              Time of possession26:0533:55
              TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
              Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi21/32, 235 yards, TD
              RushingVann Schield11 carries, 90 yards
              ReceivingDallin Holker4 receptions, 80 yards
              UNLVPassing Jayden Maiava 27/36, 353 yards
              RushingVincent Davis17 carries, 63 yards, 2 TD
              ReceivingJacob De Jesus9 receptions, 120 yards

              vs No. 19 Air Force

              No. 19 Air Force Falcons (7–0) at Colorado State Rams (3–4) – Game summary
              Quarter1234Total
              No. 19 Falcons7610730
              Rams0130013

              at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado

              Game information
              First quarter
              • (05:03) AF TD – Zac Larrier 9-yard pass to Dane Kinamon, Matthew Dapore kick
                Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 6:44; Air Force 7–0
              Second quarter
              • (14:38) CSU TD – Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 61-yard pass to Justus Ross-Simmons, Jordan Noyes kick
                Drive: 1 plays, 54 yards, 0:08; Tied 7–7
              • (07:15) CSU FG – Jordan Noyes 40-yard field goal
                Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 3:44; Colorado State 10–7
              • (04:00) AF TD – John Lee Eldridge III 10-yard rush, Matthew Dapore PAT failed
                Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 1:31; Air Force 13–10
              • (00:45) CSU FG – Jordan Noyes 49-yard field goal
                Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:15; Tied 13–13
              Third quarter
              • (08:58) AF TD – Zac Larrier 1-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
                Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:02; Air Force 20–13
              • (00:45) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 29-yard field goal
                Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:47; Air Force 23–13
              Fourth quarter
              • (08:51) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 5-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
                Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 2:00; Air Force 30–13
              StatisticsAir ForceColorado State
              First downs1817
              Plays–yards64–29364–339
              Rushes–yards57–26119–42
              Passing yards32297
              Passing: compattint4–7–028–45–0
              Time of possession35:5824:02
              TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
              Air ForcePassingZac Larrier4/7, 32 yards, TD
              RushingEmmanuel Michel20 carries, 130 yards, TD
              ReceivingBrandon Engel1 reception, 14 yards
              Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi28/45, 297 yards, TD
              RushingVann Schield14 carries, 53 yards
              ReceivingJustus Ross-Simmons8 receptions, 128 yards, TD

              at Wyoming

              Colorado State Rams (3–5) at Wyoming Cowboys (5–3) – Game summary
              Quarter1234Total
              Rams070815
              Cowboys3714024

              at War Memorial StadiumLaramie, Wyoming

              • Date: November 3rd
              • Game time: 6:00 p.m. MST/5:00 p.m. PST
              • Game weather: Cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
              • Game attendance: 27,905
              • Referee: Patrick Foy
              • TV announcers (CBSSN): Chris Lewis, Robert Turbin, and Emily Proud
              Game information
              First quarter
              • WYO – John Hoyland 30-yard field goal, 6:14. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 6:21.
              Second quarter
              • WYO – Gunner Gentry 9-yard pass from Andrew Peasley (John Hoyland kick), 14:34. Cowboys 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 4:12.
              • CSU – Louis Brown IV 18-yard pass from Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (Jordan Noyes kick), 7:45. Cowboys 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 2:40.
              Third quarter
              • WYO – Ayir Asante 11-yard pass from Andrew Peasley (John Hoyland kick), 5:53. Cowboys 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:20.
              • WYO – Sam Scott 6-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 1:08. Cowboys 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:41.
              Fourth quarter
              • CSU – Dylan Goffney 9-yard pass from Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass from Tory Horton), 11:07. Cowboys 24–15. Drive: 3 plays, 38 yards, 1:22.
              StatisticsColorado StateWyoming
              First downs2021
              Plays–yards63–27467–334
              Rushes–yards21–5445–194
              Passing yards220140
              Passing: compattint24–42–215–22–1
              Time of possession23:2036:40
              TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
              Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi24/42, 220 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
              RushingAvery Morrow11 carries, 39 yards
              ReceivingTory Horton7 receptions, 58 yards
              WyomingPassing Andrew Peasley 15/22, 140 yards, 2 TD, INT
              RushingHarrison Waylee29 carries, 128 yards
              ReceivingAlex Brown2 receptions, 32 yards

              vs San Diego State

              San Diego State Aztecs (3–6) at Colorado State Rams (3–6) – Game summary
              Quarter1234Total
              Aztecs0061319
              Rams5107022

              at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado

              • Date: November 11th
              • Game time: 5:00 p.m. MST/4:00 p.m. PST
              • Game weather: Sunny, Temperature: 52 °F (11 °C), Wind: SW 5 mph
              • Game attendance: 22,0333
              • Referee: Kenneth Ray
              • TV announcers (CBSSN): Dave Ryan (play-by-play) and Malik Zaire (analyst)
              Game information
              First Quarter
              • (5:58) CSU - Mohamed Kamara safety; 2 plays, -7 yards, 1:29 (Colorado State 2-0)
              • (2:42) CSU - Jordan Noyes 34 yard field goal; 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:27 (Colorado State 5-0)
              Second Quarter
              • (10:22) CSU - Jordan Noyes 30 yard field goal; 14 plays, 75 yards, 5:17 (Colorado State 8-0)
              • (4:19) CSU - Dallin Holker 1 yard run (Jordan Noyes kick); 8 plays, 90 yards, 4:08 (Colorado State 15-0)
              Third Quarter
              • (10:10) SDSU - Gabriel Plascencia 22 yard field goal; 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:57 (Colorado State 15-3)
              • (7:31) CSU - Justin Marshall 5 yard run (Jordan Noyes kick); 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:39) (Colorado State 22-3)
              • (3:06) SDSU - Gabriel Plascencia 38 yard field goal; 9 plays, 45 yards, 4:18 (Colorado State 22-6)
              Fourth Quarter
              • (11:37) SDSU - Jalen Mayden 8 yard run (Two-point pass conversion failed); 9 plays, 46 yards, 4:26 (Colorado State 22-12)
              • (2:04) SDSU - Jaylon Armstead 1 yard run (Gabriel Plascencia kick); 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:30 (Colorado State 22-19)
              StatisticsSan Diego StateColorado State
              First downs1722
              Plays–yards57–27375–427
              Rushes–yards32–14544–183
              Passing yards128244
              Passing: compattint19–25–018–31–1
              Time of possession28:1330:18
              TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
              San Diego StatePassing Jalen Mayden 19–25, 128 yards
              RushingCam Davis9 carries, 67 yards
              ReceivingMark Redman4 receptions, 53 yards
              Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi17–30, 202 yards, 1 INT
              RushingJustin Marshall18 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD
              ReceivingJustus Ross-Simmons4 receptions, 89 yards

              vs Nevada

              Nevada Wolf Pack (2–8) at Colorado State Rams (4–6) – Game summary
              Quarter1234Total
              Wolf Pack3107020
              Rams1463730

              at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado

              • Date: November 18th
              • Game time: 1:00 p.m. MST/12:00 p.m. PST
              • Game weather: Temperature: 59 °F (15 °C) • Wind: SE at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
              • Game attendance: 20,121
              • Referee: Cal McNeill
              • TV: MWN
              Game information
              First quarter
                Second quarter
                  Third quarter
                    Fourth quarter
                StatisticsNevadaColorado State
                First downs2123
                Plays–yards73–32765–414
                Rushes–yards43–13334–169
                Passing yards194245
                Passing: compattint21–30–215–31–1
                Time of possession35:3024:30
                TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
                NevadaPassing Brendon Lewis 18/24, 169 yards
                RushingSean Dollars20 carries, 69 yards
                ReceivingDalevon Campbell5 receptions, 72 yards
                Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi15/30, 245 yards, 2 TD, INT
                RushingJustin Marshall19 carries, 98 yards
                ReceivingTory Horton6 receptions, 78 yards, TD

                at Hawaii

                Colorado State Rams (5–6) at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (4–8) – Game summary
                Quarter1234Total
                Rams7301424
                Rainbow Warriors777627

                at Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics ComplexHonolulu, Hawaii

                • Date: November 25th
                • Game time: 9:00 p.m. MST/8:00 p.m. PST
                • Game weather: Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C) • Wind: E at 11 miles per hour (18 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
                • Game attendance: 11,013
                • Referee: Christian Watson
                • TV: SPEC PPV
                Game information
                First quarter
                  Second quarter
                    Third quarter
                      Fourth quarter
                  StatisticsColorado StateHawaii
                  First downs2126
                  Plays–yards67–42569–497
                  Rushes–yards29–10824–151
                  Passing yards317346
                  Passing: compattint26–38–131–45–0
                  Time of possession29:1230:48
                  TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
                  Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi26/38, 317 yards, 2 TD, INT
                  RushingJustin Marshall20 carries, 94 yards, TD
                  ReceivingTory Horton9 receptions, 186 yards, TD
                  HawaiiPassing Brayden Schager 30/43, 320 yards, TD
                  RushingDavid Cordero5 carries, 52 yards
                  ReceivingSteven McBride6 receptions, 82 yards, TD

                  References

                  1. "2023 FBS Attendance Trends". D1.ticker. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
                  2. "Mountain West Football Media Predicts 2023 Order Of Finish". July 19, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
                  3. "2023 Colorado State Football Schedule".
                  4. "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401532603". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.