Takeaways from Colorado State’s first football scrimmage of preseason camp

Live football was played for the first time at camp on Wednesday.

The Colorado State football team used its first full day as a scrimmage day at Canvas Stadium.

The season opener (August 31 at No. 4 Texas) is quickly approaching, but in terms of camp it’s still early days. The depth chart is not set, a group of freshmen received their first real successes in college football and there is a lot of work to do.

A first game won’t provide all the answers, but there were some interesting takeaways about what’s to come this season.

Highlighted fierce battle

Dallin Holker’s departure to the NFL left a huge void in the offense. He was one of the best players in college football and was not easily replaceable.

Wednesday’s play of the day likely came from one of the players trying to take his place. Senior Vince Brown II threw a short pass on a bootleg play, appeared on the field, hit a defender and then drove right past quarterback Elias Larry on the way to a roughly 30-yard touchdown.

Brown, whose fiancée is due with their child in September, says Holker’s departure and the upcoming birth of their baby have helped sharpen the extreme focus on preparing for the season.

“I have a different load on my shoulder that I have never felt in my life as a football player. From spring ball to now, I have a lot of confidence about what to do in this offense, how to be productive and feel like if the coaches give me the chance, I will be productive,” Brown said.

Jaxxon Warren, the 6-foot-2 former quarterback who transferred from Navarro Junior College, also had an impressive catch.

These two players appear to be the favorites to take Holker’s place.

Jackson Brousseau racking up quarterback reps

Starting quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi did not participate as the team continues to protect him after he suffered a minor hand injury before the start of camp.

That means redshirt freshman Jackson Brosseau and junior Giles Pooler are the two quarterbacks with experience in the system who have played from scrimmage.

For Brousseau, these are important reps for a player a year into college but with minimal playing experience (he appeared in one game and threw two passes as a true freshman) as he prepares to begin the season as Fowler’s backup. Nicolosi.

The day wasn’t filled with big highlight moments, as the team leaned heavily on the race in the fight (more on that below), but he is having some valuable learning moments. You never know when a reinforcement is needed, after all, Fowler-Nicolosi wasn’t a starter this time around a year ago.

“JB is such a conscientious kid. He really studies a lot. I’m very proud of him. When he makes a mistake or is corrected, he comes back and doesn’t make the same mistake. I’m very proud of him for that. He’s mature beyond his years,” Norvell said of Brousseau.

Working on control

CSU games have been a rollercoaster in 2023, with the Rams going 5-7 with four games decided on the final possession.

The Rams went 1-3 in those contests and also had at least one other (at Utah State) where more consistency and control on offense could have led to victory.

That was a big focus for Norvell (who runs the plays on offense) in the spring and now in preseason camp. The Rams leaned heavily on the run on Wednesday.

They also performed a long period of 2 and 4 minute drills with the goal of learning how to close out games.

“We want to be able to finish games with the ball in our hands in attack. This is important. We got the advantage, we need to be able to run the football, hold the ball and finish with it in our hands,” said Norvell.

“We’re making a real emphasis.”

Some veterans sit

In addition to Fowler-Nicolosi, there were several veterans who will be key pieces during the season who did not participate or had limited reps.

Running back Kobe Johnson is still being benched after a hand injury caused him to redshirt in 2023. He has over 2,500 rushing yards in his college career and Norvell says they don’t need to beat him in camp.

Likewise, everyone knows what Tory Horton can do and he was not used in this fight. Center Jacob Gardner, safeties Jack Howell and Henry Blackburn are among others who don’t need the wear and tear of an early fight in camp.

Highlight plays

This is not a comprehensive list of a long struggle, but some highlights:

• Run after Brown catch for a touchdown.

• Redshirt freshman Kenyon Agurs entering the backfield to force a fumble by Justin Marshall, which was caught and run for a touchdown by redshirt freshman Niko Lopez.

• Buom Jock’s overall play at linebacker.

• An impressive contested interception by quarterback Chris Jackson.

• Solid running from Keegan Holles.

• The day ended with young backups in a red zone drill, with true freshman Darius Curry throwing a perfect TD pass into the back corner to true freshman Tommy Maher.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.

This article originally appeared in the Fort Collins Coloradoan: Takeaways from Colorado State’s first football scrimmage of preseason camp