Rams not overlooking FCS’s Western Illinois

FORT COLLINS» Saturday’s clash at Canvas Stadium resembles an early-season situation from 2018 all too well.

Colorado State, in search of its first victory this season following a loss to Colorado in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, hosts Western Illinois on Saturday.

With a few minor exceptions, the goal when scheduling an FCS competitor is often coasting to a stress-free performance before commencing conference play

However, the Rams learned the importance of never overlooking a seemingly lower-tier opponent when Illinois State came to town last year and upset CSU 35-19.

Now, the Rams head into their Week 2 matchup possessing tremendous focus and a team-wide belief that a Missouri Valley foe won’t catch them off guard the second time around.

“We never want to overlook any opponent,” sophomore cornerback Rashad Ajayi said. “We want to take every week the same as if we are playing Alabama, Colorado. Every week is going to be the same mentality.”

It’s worth noting how Western Illinois doesn’t enter the game owning nearly as much firepower as Illinois State did in 2018.

The Leathernecks lost 26-17 last week at North Alabama following a 5-6 finish last season.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our guys move on against Western Illinois, that has a ton of tradition,” CSU coach Mike Bobo said. “Tough, hard-nosed guys that come from a conference of a team we played last year, Illinois State, who came in here and physically beat us. That is going to be the mind-set. We have an opponent, and we have to go out and get ready. Get ourselves ready to go out for a test.”

CSU’s opening-week outcome revealed several issues the team must work on to win for the first time since Oct. 13 — namely, staying in the correct defensive gaps and creating turnovers .

Running out of position and attempting to fill another defender’s vacant spot resulted in numerous explosive plays by the Buffaloes’ offense. And, a glaring 4-0 turnover margin doomed CSU last week.

Facing a Western Illinois Leatherneck squad that struggled on offensive while coughing up two turnovers a week ago gives the Rams an opportunity to move forward after a shaky defensive outing.

“We were jumping out of gaps or blowing coverage,” redshirt junior defensive lineman Toby McBride said. “So fixing the things we can fix. Those really are easy fixes that we feel like we can do and get done before this game.”

Offensively, CSU looks to maintain the pace it solidified during an encouraging Week 1 showing.

Excluding his two interceptions, redshirt junior quarterback Collin Hill commanded the offense at ease following an impressive preseason.

True freshman receiver Dante Wright burst onto the scene with a two-touchdown, 131-total-yard performance.