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 and 247Sports. 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.
QBClay MillenRd. FreshmanMount SiSnoqualmie, WANevadaRBAvery MorrowJuniorGarfieldSeattle, WANevadaWRMatt GreenwaldRd. SophomoreFairviewBoulder, COBoise StateWRTory HortonJuniorWashington UnionFresno, CANevadaWRMelquan StovallSeniorJunipero SerraLancaster, CANevadaTE/LBPeter MontiniJuniorFoothillPleasanton, CANevadaOLDontae KeysGrad. StudentJack BrittFayetteville, NCFIUOLGray DavisGrad. StudentParish EpiscopalDallas, TXNevadaOLJacob GardnerJuniorLos OsosRancho Cucamonga, CANevadaOLDante BivensGrad. StudentKlein CollinsHouston, TXTulsaOLTrevyn HeilRd. FreshmanGrandviewAurora, CONevadaDL/OLBC.J. OnyechiGrad. StudentWest OrangeWest Orange, NJRutgersDLTeivis TuiotiRd. SophomoreLincoln SoutheastLincoln, NENevadaDBChigozie AnusiemRd. SeniorSonoraLa Habra, CACaliforniaDBDonavann CollinsRd. JuniorCedar HillCedar Hill, TXTCUDBD'Andre GreeleySophomoreBullardFresno, CACCSFDBAJ KingJuniorLocke AcademyLos Angeles, CANevadaDBGreg LadayRd. JuniorMemorialPort Arthur, TXNorthern ColoradoKHenry KatlemanRd. JuniorMalibuTopanga, CAOregonPPaddy TurnerRd. FreshmanMarian CollegeArarat, Victoria, AustraliaNevadaATHVann SchieldSophomoreRock CanyonCastle Pines, COCSU Pueblo
Recruiting class of 2022 Colorado State football signed 11 recruits as part of their 2022 early signing class, per 247Sports.com.
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. QBBrayden Fowler-NicolosiAledoAledo, TX0.8418Arizona, Arkansas St., Middle Tenn., Nevada,Oregon St., Pittsburgh, ToledoDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021QBJackson StrattonLa JollaLa Jolla, CA0.8559Brown, Columbia, FIU, Nevada, Oregon St.,Penn, Washington, Washington St.December 15, 2021December 15, 2021WRMekhi FoxPasadenaPasadena, CA ‡0.8888Arizona St., Florida, FAU, Nebraska, Nevada,Oregon, UCLA, Utah, USCDecember 15, 2021December 15, 2021WRLouis BrownInglewoodSouth Los Angeles, CA0.8178Arizona State, NevadaDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021WRJustus Ross-SimmonsInglewoodRochester, NY0.8382NevadaDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021WRKy Oday Jr.Cherry CreekDenver, CO0.7993Air Force, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado,Penn, WyomingJune 7, 2021December 15, 2021TEJordan WilliamsSt. PaulSanta Fe Springs, CA0.8426NoneDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021OLAubrey ScottLeuzingerCompton, CA0.8410Arizona, Arizona St., Boise St., Kansas,Nevada, UNLV, UtahDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021OLAaron KarasPomonaArvada, CO0.7943Air Force, Army, NevadaDecember 12, 2021December 15, 2021LBMarshon OxleyInglewoodSouth Los Angeles, CA0.8464Colorado, Kansas, Michigan St., San Diego St.,San Jose St., UNLVDecember 14, 2021December 15, 2021DBCorey Lambert Jr.Brother MartinHarvey, LA0.8365Austin Peay, Columbia, Duke, FAU, Illinois, Memphis,Nevada, Penn, Princeton, Southern Miss, Troy, TulaneDecember 15, 2021December 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. ‡= 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. 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: Logan Flinta, wide receiver Aledo High School (Aledo, TX) Brannan Mannix, defensive back Colleyville Heritage High School (Colleyville, TX) Brady Radz, long snapper Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village, CO) Trey Balsbaugh, kicker/punter Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, NV)
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. 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. Addazio was later hired by Texas A&M as an offensive line coach. 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. 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. 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. Defensive line coach: North Dakota State's defensive ends coach Buddha Williams was hired as Colorado State's new defensive line coach. 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 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
Game summaries At No. 8 Michigan
Statistics CSUMICH 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 StatisticsColorado State Passing Clay Millen 16/20, 137 yards, TD, INT Rushing Ajon Vivens 10 rushes, 35 yards Receiving Tory Horton 6 receptions, 69 yards, TDMichigan 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
Statistics MTSUCSU 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 StatisticsMiddle 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 yardsColorado 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
Statistics CSUWSU 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 StatisticsColorado State Passing Clay Millen 25/35, 212 yards, TD, INT Rushing Avery Morrow 8 rushes, 28 yards Receiving Ty McCullouch 4 receptions, 57 yardsWashington 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
Statistics SACCSU 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 StatisticsSacramento State Passing Jake Dunniway 12/23, 164 yards, TD, INT Rushing Cameron Skattebo 17 rushes, 67 yards, TD Receiving Cameron Skattebo 3 receptions, 56 yardsColorado 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
Statistics CSUNEV 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 StatisticsColorado State Passing Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 11/22, 78 yards, 2 INT Rushing Avery Morrow 24 carries, 168 yards Receiving Tory Horton 9 receptions, 64 yardsNevada 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
Statistics USUCSU 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 StatisticsUtah 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, TDColorado 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
Statistics HAWCSU 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