Mike Bobo: We've got to play better defense

Colorado State experienced their first scrimmage under new head coach Mike Bobo Saturday, and players really came to compete. Especially on the offensive side of the ball. Overall, the defense simply didn’t play with enough effort.

Creating consistency throughout the team is a priority and the Rams are still searching for just that.

On offense, the quarterback competition seems to have brought the best out of both Nick Stevens and Coleman Key as the offensive-minded coach was happy with what he witnessed.

“For the most part, I think both executed, I’m talking the top two (Stevens and Key) executed well and moved the ball,” Bobo explained of his quarterbacks post-scrimmage. “I think there was only one situation where there would’ve been a punt. It was good to see execution out of both the guys. I’ll know a little more when I go back and watch the film.”

As he watches the film today, Bobo will see Key going 12-22 for 213 yards and three touchdowns, while Stevens went 15-21 for 198 and one score. Stevens started the scrimmage with the first-team, leading a 10-play drive which ended in a field goal by Wyatt Bryan. That was the best drive for the defense all day. Key played with both the first and second-teams, with a slant to Jordan Vaden going 59-yards for a score.

Coach did say there were a couple of ball-handling issues with Key, but the ball bounced the offense’s way. Still, his numbers speak for the day Key enjoyed delivering the ball and how easily the offense moved downfield against the defense. Maybe, too easily.

“We’ve got to play better defense,” Bobo continued. “And a lot of it is attitude and effort. Lining up, playing the next snap, being able to push through…They did get a stop in one-minute to win the game, they held the offense. But overall, we’ve got to play harder, faster defensively.”

With 10 seniors who will likely be starters on the defense, a lack of effort is unacceptable. Middle linebacker Cory James and safety Kevin Pierre-Louis were both called out by Bobo as a few bright spots on an otherwise lackluster defensive day.

On the running back competition, Bobo wasn’t ready to name a starter yet, either.

“I thought all backs ran well, the top three ran really well,” Bobo said.

Those top three – in no particular order – are Treyous Jarrells, Dalyn Dawkins and Jasen Oden Jr. Jarrells led the way with eight carries for 59 yards, including a 47-yard scamper, and a touchdown. Oden followed with seven carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns, one running and one receiving. Dawkins ran seven times for 33 yards.

Oden, the biggest back on the team – is stepping up as the senior leader at running back, telling BSN Denver he’s looking to compete and push his teammates to be better. Read the entire interview with Oden here.

Trent Matthews, Rashard Higgins, Kivon Cartwright and a few more were held out due to either minor injuries or for precautionary reasons.

Bobo finished by explaining he and fellow coaches will look at film today and head into Monday’s practice with a better feeling for where his team is, depth-wise.

“We will have to grade the film, and I will meet with the offense then the defense and talk about it,” Bobo said. “Then we will have a better understanding, tomorrow afternoon to evening, of where we go into Monday’s practice with these guys and where the depth chart sits.”