American college football season
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 , .
Preseason
The 2023 Mountain West preseason media poll was released on July 19. The Rams were predicted to finish seventh in the conference.[ 1]
Mountain West Conference media poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Boise State
433 (28)
2
Air Force
364 (2)
3
Fresno State
351 (5)
4
San Diego State
338 (1)
5
San Jose State
293
6
Wyoming
281
7
Colorado State
201
8
Utah State
194
9
UNLV
177 (1)
10
Hawaii
102
11
Nevada
92
12
New Mexico
60
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance September 2 5:00 p.m. Washington State * CBSSN L 24–5031,497
September 16 8:00 p.m. at No. 18 Colorado * ESPN L 35–43 2OT 53,141
September 23 5:00 p.m. at Middle Tennessee * ESPN+ W 31–2319,806
September 30 5:00 p.m. Utah Tech * Canvas Stadium Fort Collins, CO MW Network W 41–2027,932
October 7 6:00 p.m. at Utah State MW Network L 24–4422,864
October 14 7:45 p.m. Boise State Canvas Stadium Fort Collins, CO FS1 W 31–3034,901
October 21 5:00 p.m. at UNLV MW Network L 23–2522,585
October 28 5:30 p.m. No. 19 Air Force Canvas Stadium Fort Collins, CO (rivalry ) CBSSN L 13–3022,570
6:00 p.m. at Wyoming CBSSN L 15–2427,905
November 11 5:00 p.m. San Diego State Canvas Stadium Fort Collins, CO CBSSN W 22–1922,033
November 18 1:00 p.m. Nevada Canvas Stadium Fort Collins, CO MW Network W 30–2020,121
November 25 9:00 p.m. at Hawaii MW Network L 24–2711,013
[ 2]
Game summaries
Washington State
Washington State Cougars (0-0) at Colorado State Rams (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cougars
7
10
12 21 50
Rams
3
0
0 21 24
at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado
Date : 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: SunnyGame attendance : 31,497Referee : Jeff DahleTV announcers (CBSSN ) : Dave Ryan (play-by-play), and Corey Chavous (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
Washington State
Colorado State
First downs
30
18
Plays–yards
556
357
Rushes–yards
90
37
Passing yards
466
320
Passing: comp –att –int
--
--
Time of possession
37:40
22:20
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Washington State
Passing
Cam Ward
27-49,451 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing
Cameron Ward
13 rushes, 40 yards, TD
Receiving
Lincoln Victor
11 receptions, 168 yards
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
13-20, 210 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Avery Morrow
11 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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT 2OT Total
Rams
14
7
0 7 7 0 35
No 18 Buffaloes
14
0
0 14 7 8 43
at Folsom Field • Boulder, Colorado
Date : 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: ClearGame attendance : 53,141Referee : Mike McCabeTV 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
Statistics
Colorado State
No. 18 Colorado
First downs
24
24
Plays–yards
87-499
72-418
Rushes–yards
102
70
Passing yards
397
348
Passing: comp –att –int
35-48-3
38-47-1
Time of possession
34:37
25:23
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
34-47, 367 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing
Kobe Johnson
15 carries, 54 yards
Receiving
Tory Horton
16 receptions, 133 yards, 1 TD
No. 18 Colorado
Passing
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
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
Colorado State
Middle Tennessee
First downs
18
26
Plays–yards
378
430
Rushes–yards
33
151
Passing yards
345
279
Passing: comp –att –int
31-44-1
30-41-0
Time of possession
26:03
33:57
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
30-43, 321 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Avery Morrow
6 carries, 20 yards
Receiving
Dallin Holker
11 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
Middle Tennessee
Passing
Nicholas Vattiato
30-41, 279 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Nicholas Vattiato
15 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Holden Willis
9 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD
vs Utah Tech
Utah Tech Trailblazers (FCS) (1–3) at Colorado State Rams (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Trailblazers (FCS)
3
14
3 0 20
Rams
14
7
6 14 41
at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado
Date : 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: SunnyGame attendance : 27,932Referee : Christian WatsonTV announcers (MW Network) : TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
Utah Tech (FCS)
Colorado State
First downs
18
25
Plays–yards
68–349
63–586
Rushes–yards
35–164
29–112
Passing yards
185
474
Passing: comp –att –int
21–33–1
27–34–2
Time of possession
34:19
25:41
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Utah Tech (FCS)
Passing
Kobe Tracy
21/33, 185 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Ronnie Walker Jr.
20 carries, 83 yards
Receiving
Rickie Johnson
8 receptions, 69 yards
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
26/32, 462 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Vann Schield
16 carries, 54 yards, TD
Receiving
Tory Horton
10 receptions, 227 yards, 3 TD
at Utah State
Colorado State Rams (2–2) at Utah State Aggies (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams
17
0
0 7 24
Aggies
3
14
14 13 44
at Maverik Stadium • Logan, Utah
Date : Game time : 6:00 p.m. MST /5:00 p.m. PST Game weather : SunnyGame attendance : 22,864Referee : Michael CuttoneTV announcers (MW Network) : TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
Colorado State
Utah State
First downs
20
28
Plays–yards
83–320
84–639
Rushes–yards
26–95
55–252
Passing yards
225
387
Passing: comp –att –int
26–57–3
19–29–2
Time of possession
27:10
32:50
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
26/57, 225 yards, 3 INT
Rushing
Kobe Johnson
17 carries, 56 yards, TD
Receiving
Louis Brown IV
6 receptions, 54 yards
Utah State
Passing
Cooper Legas
19/29, 387 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Davon Booth
14 carries, 141 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Terrell Vaughn
8 receptions, 143 yards, TD
vs Boise State
Boise State Broncos (3–3) at Colorado State Rams (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
7
10
0 13 30
Rams
0
0
10 21 31
at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado
Date : 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: SunnyGame attendance : 34,901Referee : Jonathan NoliTV announcers (FOX /FS1 /FS2) : TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
Boise State
Colorado State
First downs
23
21
Plays–yards
66–384
75–401
Rushes–yards
43–246
21–42
Passing yards
138
359
Passing: comp –att –int
15–24–2
32–54–1
Time of possession
34:23
25:37
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Boise State
Passing
Maddux Madsen
10/16, 110 yards, INT
Rushing
Ashton Jeanty
31 carries, 212 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Ashton Jeanty
5 receptions, 42 yards
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
32/54, 359 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing
Vann Schield
15 carries, 51 yards, TD
Receiving
Tory Horton
10 receptions, 130 yards
at UNLV
Colorado State Rams (2–4) at UNLV Rebels (5–1) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams
0
13
0 10 23
Rebels
0
3
13 9 25
at Allegiant Stadium • Las Vegas, Nevada
Date : Game time : 5:00 p.m. MST /4:00 p.m. PST Game weather : None (Indoor stadium)Game attendance : 22,585Referee : Nolan DumasTV 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 )
Statistics
Colorado State
UNLV
First downs
19
25
Plays–yards
64–372
82–491
Rushes–yards
31–137
46–138
Passing yards
235
353
Passing: comp –att –int
21–33–1
27–36–0
Time of possession
26:05
33:55
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
21/32, 235 yards, TD
Rushing
Vann Schield
11 carries, 90 yards
Receiving
Dallin Holker
4 receptions, 80 yards
UNLV
Passing
Jayden Maiava
27/36, 353 yards
Rushing
Vincent Davis
17 carries, 63 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Jacob De Jesus
9 receptions, 120 yards
vs No. 19 Air Force
No. 19 Air Force Falcons (7–0) at Colorado State Rams (3–4) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 19 Falcons
7
6
10 7 30
Rams
0
13
0 0 13
at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado
Game information
First quarter
(05:03) AF TD – Zac Larrier 9-yard pass to Dane Kinamon, Matthew Dapore kickDrive: 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 kickDrive: 1 plays, 54 yards, 0:08; Tied 7–7
(07:15) CSU FG – Jordan Noyes 40-yard field goalDrive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 3:44; Colorado State 10–7'
(04:00) AF TD – John Lee Eldridge III 10-yard rush, Matthew Dapore PAT failedDrive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 1:31; Air Force 13–10
(00:45) CSU FG – Jordan Noyes 49-yard field goalDrive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:15; Tied 13–13'
Third quarter
(08:58) AF TD – Zac Larrier 1-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kickDrive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:02; Air Force 20–13
(00:45) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 29-yard field goalDrive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:47; Air Force 23–13'
Fourth quarter
(08:51) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 5-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kickDrive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 2:00; Air Force 30–13
Statistics
Air Force
Colorado State
First downs
18
17
Plays–yards
64–293
64–339
Rushes–yards
57–261
19–42
Passing yards
32
297
Passing: comp –att –int
4–7–0
28–45–0
Time of possession
35:58
24:02
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Air Force
Passing
Zac Larrier
4/7, 32 yards, TD
Rushing
Emmanuel Michel
20 carries, 130 yards, TD
Receiving
Brandon Engel
1 reception, 14 yards
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
28/45, 297 yards, TD
Rushing
Vann Schield
14 carries, 53 yards
Receiving
Justus Ross-Simmons
8 receptions, 128 yards, TD
at Wyoming
Colorado State Rams (3–5) at Wyoming Cowboys (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams
0
7
0 8 15
Cowboys
3
7
14 0 24
at War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, Wyoming
Date : Game time : 6:00 p.m. MST /5:00 p.m. PST Game weather : Cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)Game attendance : 27,905Referee : Patrick FoyTV 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.
Statistics
Colorado State
Wyoming
First downs
20
21
Plays–yards
63–274
67–334
Rushes–yards
21–54
45–194
Passing yards
220
140
Passing: comp –att –int
24–42–2
15–22–1
Time of possession
23:20
36:40
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
24/42, 220 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Avery Morrow
11 carries, 39 yards
Receiving
Tory Horton
7 receptions, 58 yards
Wyoming
Passing
Andrew Peasley
15/22, 140 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Harrison Waylee
29 carries, 128 yards
Receiving
Alex Brown
2 receptions, 32 yards
vs San Diego State
San Diego State Aztecs (3–6) at Colorado State Rams (3–6) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Aztecs
0
0
6 13 19
Rams
5
10
7 0 22
at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado
Date : Game time : 5:00 p.m. MST /4:00 p.m. PST Game weather : Sunny, Temperature : 52 °F (11 °C), Wind : SW 5 mphGame attendance : 22,0333Referee : Kenneth RayTV 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)
Statistics
San Diego State
Colorado State
First downs
17
22
Plays–yards
57–273
75–427
Rushes–yards
32–145
44–183
Passing yards
128
244
Passing: comp –att –int
19–25–0
18–31–1
Time of possession
28:13
30:18
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
San Diego State
Passing
Jalen Mayden
19–25, 128 yards
Rushing
Cam Davis
9 carries, 67 yards
Receiving
Mark Redman
4 receptions, 53 yards
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
17–30, 202 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Justin Marshall
18 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Justus Ross-Simmons
4 receptions, 89 yards
vs Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack (2–8) at Colorado State Rams (4–6) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Wolf Pack
3
10
7 0 20
Rams
14
6
3 7 30
at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, Colorado
Date : 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: SunnyGame attendance : 20,121Referee : Cal McNeillTV : MWN
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
Nevada
Colorado State
First downs
21
23
Plays–yards
73–327
65–414
Rushes–yards
43–133
34–169
Passing yards
194
245
Passing: comp –att –int
21–30–2
15–31–1
Time of possession
35:30
24:30
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Nevada
Passing
Brendon Lewis
18/24, 169 yards
Rushing
Sean Dollars
20 carries, 69 yards
Receiving
Dalevon Campbell
5 receptions, 72 yards
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
15/30, 245 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Justin Marshall
19 carries, 98 yards
Receiving
Tory Horton
6 receptions, 78 yards, TD
at Hawaii
Colorado State Rams (5–6) at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (4–8) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams
7
3
0 14 24
Rainbow Warriors
7
7
7 6 27
at Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex • Honolulu, Hawaii
Date : 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: SunnyGame attendance : 11,013Referee : Christian WatsonTV : SPEC PPV
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
Colorado State
Hawaii
First downs
21
26
Plays–yards
67–425
69–497
Rushes–yards
29–108
24–151
Passing yards
317
346
Passing: comp –att –int
26–38–1
31–45–0
Time of possession
29:12
30:48
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Colorado State
Passing
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
26/38, 317 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Justin Marshall
20 carries, 94 yards, TD
Receiving
Tory Horton
9 receptions, 186 yards, TD
Hawaii
Passing
Brayden Schager
30/43, 320 yards, TD
Rushing
David Cordero
5 carries, 52 yards
Receiving
Steven McBride
6 receptions, 82 yards, TD
References
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