2022 Colorado State Rams football team

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,

2022 Colorado State Rams football
ConferenceMountain West Conference
DivisionMountain Division
Record3–9 (3–5 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMatt Mumme (1st season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorFreddie Banks (1st season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumCanvas Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2021
2023 →
2022 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Mountain Division
Boise State xy   8 0     10 4  
Air Force   5 3     10 3  
Wyoming   5 3     7 6  
Utah State   5 3     6 7  
Colorado State   3 5     3 9  
New Mexico   0 8     2 10  
West Division
No. 24 Fresno State xy$   7 1     10 4  
San Diego State   5 3     7 6  
San Jose State   5 3     7 5  
UNLV   3 5     5 7  
Hawaii   2 6     3 10  
Nevada   0 8     2 10  
Championship: Fresno State 28, Boise State 16
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Preseason

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Incoming transfers

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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]

Position Name Year High School Hometown Previous School
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

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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.

Position Name High School Hometown Star Rating Rating* Other Offers Commitment Date Signing Date
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

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Coaching changes

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  • 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.[11]
  • Running backs coach: Jeremy Moses was hired as Colorado State's new running backs coach.[11] 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.[11] 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.[11] 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.[11] 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.[11]

2022 coaching staff

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Name Position Season at Colorado State
(in current position)
Alma mater
Jay Norvell Head coach 1st Iowa
Matt Mumme Offensive coordinator/Associate head coach 1st Kentucky
Freddie Banks Defensive coordinator 1st North Dakota State
Tommy Perry Special Teams Coordinator 1st Texas A&M
James Finley Tight ends coach 1st Oregon
Jeremy Moses 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

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 310:00 a.m.at No. 8 Michigan*ABCL 7–51109,575
September 102:00 p.m.Middle Tennessee*KCDOL 19–3427,641
September 173:00 p.m.at Washington State*P12NL 7–3823,611
September 242:00 p.m.No. 7 (FCS) Sacramento State*
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO
KCDOL 10–4125,445
October 78:30 p.m.at NevadaFS1W 17–1418,255
October 155:00 p.m.Utah State
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO
CBSSNL 13–1735,009
October 222:00 p.m.Hawaii
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO
SPEC PPVW 17–1322,843
October 295:00 p.m.at Boise StateFS1L 10–4933,895
November 58:30 p.m.at San Jose StateNBCSBAL 16–2816,382
November 125:00 p.m.Wyoming
CBSSNL 13–1430,300
November 197:00 p.m.at Air ForceFS2L 12–2420,121
November 251:30 p.m.New Mexico
  • Canvas Stadium
  • Fort Collins, CO
CBSSNW 17–020,107

Game summaries

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At No. 8 Michigan

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rams 0 0 0 7 7
No. 8 Wolverines 10 13 14 14 51
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 Tory Horton 6 receptions, 69 yards, TD
Michigan Passing Cade McNamara 9/18, 136 yards, TD
Rushing Blake Corum 13 rushes, 76 yards, TD
Receiving Roman Wilson 2 receptions, 65 yards, TD

Middle Tennessee State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Raiders 10 17 7 0 34
Rams 0 0 19 0 19
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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rams 0 0 0 7 7
Cougars 21 7 3 7 38
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 Cam Ward 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

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 7 (FCS) Hornets 7 17 7 10 41
Rams 0 10 0 0 10
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 Cameron Skattebo 17 rushes, 67 yards, TD
Receiving Cameron Skattebo 3 receptions, 56 yards
Colorado State Passing Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 6/15, 116 yards, TD
Rushing Ajon Vivens 10 rushes, 31 yards
Receiving Tory Horton 3 receptions, 127 yards, TD

At Nevada

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rams 14 0 0 3 17
Wolf Pack 0 7 0 7 14
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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 7 0 10 0 17
Rams 3 7 0 3 13
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 Cooper Legas 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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rainbow Warriors 3 10 0 0 13
Rams 0 3 7 7 17
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 Brayden Schager 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 Justus Ross-Simmons 4 receptions, 64 yards

At Boise State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rams 3 7 0 0 10
Broncos 14 14 21 0 49
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 Taylen Green 24/30, 305 yards, 2 TD
Rushing George Holani 21 carries, 108 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Stefan Cobbs 4 receptions, 91 yards

At San Jose State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rams 7 3 0 6 16
Spartans 0 7 7 14 28
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 Chevan Cordeiro 27/42, 274 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Kairee Robinson 12 carries, 64 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Elijah Cooks 6 receptions, 80 yards, TD

Wyoming

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1 2 3 4 Total
Cowboys 0 7 0 7 14
Rams 7 3 0 3 13
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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rams 0 0 6 6 12
Falcons 7 10 7 0 24
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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Lobos 0 0 0 0 0
Rams 0 7 3 7 17
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

References

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