What Is 2022 Colorado State Rams football

Overview

The 2022 Colorado State Rams football season marked the program's 126th season of competition and the team's representation of Colorado State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Competing in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), the Rams were led by first-year head coach Jay Norvell, who took over the program following the departure of Steve Addazio.

The team struggled to find consistency throughout the season, finishing with a 3-9 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play. Despite high expectations after a coaching change and significant roster turnover, the Rams failed to qualify for a bowl game for the second consecutive season.

• Head coach Jay Norvell was hired in December 2021 and began his tenure with a focus on revitalizing the offense and recruiting pipeline, bringing experience from his time at Nevada.
• The Rams opened the 2022 season on September 1 with a 31-24 loss to Fresno State, setting a tone of close but ultimately unsuccessful games.
• Clay Millen served as the primary starting quarterback, completing 61% of his passes for 1,786 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions over 11 games.
• Defensively, the team allowed an average of 33.6 points per game, ranking among the bottom third of FBS teams in defensive efficiency.
• Home games were played at Canvas Stadium, a 36,500-seat venue in Fort Collins that opened in 2017 and replaced Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.

How It Works

The structure of college football operations at Colorado State includes coaching strategy, player development, game planning, and conference scheduling, all of which shaped the 2022 season's outcomes and challenges.

• Recruiting Strategy: Jay Norvell implemented a new recruiting model emphasizing junior college transfers and regional talent, signing 22 players in the 2022 class, including several from the Pac-12 footprint.
• Offensive Scheme: The Rams utilized a spread offense emphasizing tempo and quarterback mobility, aiming to maximize Clay Millen’s dual-threat capabilities and open up the passing game.
• Defensive Alignment: Colorado State primarily ran a 3-4 base defense, with Tim Skipper serving as defensive coordinator and focusing on aggressive linebacker play and zone coverage.
• Conference Play: As members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West, the Rams faced teams like Boise State, Fresno State, and Air Force in a six-game conference schedule.
• Game Management: Critical late-game decisions, including clock management and fourth-down attempts, contributed to five losses by one possession, highlighting execution issues.
• Player Development: The program emphasized development through year-round training, with strength coach Mike Leach implementing a new conditioning program focused on injury reduction and explosiveness.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2022 Colorado State Rams' performance can be better understood when compared to peer programs in the Mountain West Conference and national FBS averages.

The Rams ranked near the bottom of the Mountain West in both scoring offense and defense. While teams like Fresno State reached the conference championship, Colorado State struggled to compete consistently, particularly in road games where they went 1-5. The gap in performance highlighted systemic issues in depth, execution, and in-game adjustments.

Why It Matters

The 2022 season was a pivotal year for Colorado State football as it set the foundation for Jay Norvell’s long-term vision and exposed areas needing immediate improvement. The outcomes influenced recruiting, fan engagement, and athletic department expectations moving forward.

• The 3-9 record marked the program's second consecutive losing season, raising concerns about fan attendance and donor support at Canvas Stadium.
• First-year head coach Jay Norvell’s performance was closely evaluated, with athletic director John Weber stating a three-year window to achieve bowl eligibility.
• The offensive line allowed 34 sacks in 12 games, indicating a need for improved protection and depth heading into the 2023 season.
• Colorado State’s recruiting class ranked 11th in the MWC by 247Sports, showing progress but lagging behind rivals like Boise State and Utah State.
• The athletic department reported a 12% drop in season ticket sales compared to 2021, reflecting fan dissatisfaction with on-field performance.
• Despite struggles, the season provided valuable experience for young players, with 18 true or redshirt freshmen seeing significant playing time.

Looking ahead, the 2022 season served as a rebuilding year that underscored the challenges of transitioning to a new coaching staff and system. The Rams entered 2023 with renewed focus on player development and conference competitiveness.