After first half struggles, CSU offense battles back to win annual Green and Gold Game

The weather could not have been more ideal for the annual Green and Gold Game, with the sun shining and just a little bit of cloud cover, and roughly 5,200 Colorado State fans had their first opportunity of the 2016 season to see their beloved Rams football team. In the inter-team scrimmage, the offense (Gold Team) defeated the defense (Green Team) 64-47, based on the scoring system implemented for the day.

The annual Green and Gold Game, which is the only chance fans have to see the team in the spring, officially marks the end of the 15-practice period before the summer offseason.   

Entering spring ball, the coaching staff laid out very specific goals for the team moving forward, including a desire to see an increased effort and on-field leadership this spring. After taking over the program with a short offseason last year, Bobo feels the team made significant strides, and has seen the players commit to the program wholeheartedly in year two.

“I didn’t think we were going to win a game last year after spring,” head coach Mike Bobo joked with the media after the scrimmage. “This year I thought every day we got better in practice. Some days were a little bit more than others, but there was a focus to get better. There was accountability.” 

The offense struggled early, especially the quarterbacks; both Nick Stevens and Faton Bauta weren’t able to hit open receivers, and each threw a bad interception in the first half. As the scrimmage went on, the veteran QBs settled down and were able to make some nice throws, but neither blew people away with impressive play.

“I thought the guys were really tight early on,” Bobo said. “Nick Stevens did some nice things on a couple drives, getting us into the right run plays…Faton also started a little bit shaky. I thought he was aiming the football early on…Collin Hill looked like a freshman probably in his first three series out there, but as the scrimmage went on you saw him relax, and you can see he has some arm talent. I’m really really excited about him.”

On the outside, redshirt sophomore wide receiver John Freismuth enjoyed a wonderful spring game, including a 75-yard touchdown reception from Bauta. Freismuth led all receivers on the day, finishing with 5 catches for 147 yards, before leaving the game with a shoulder injury late in the second half.

Sophomore wide out Olabisi Johnson continued an impressive spring, making an impact both in the passing game and as a physical run blocker. Listed as a starter on the depth chart entering spring ball, has made a big impression with the CSU coaching staff, and has certainly done enough to solidify his starting position as the team approaches the break.

“Bisi Johnson has had an outstanding spring for us,” Bobo said after the game. “He’s the most consistent receiver we have as far as route running, knowing what to do, catching the ball. He’s got a vertical threat, deep threat ability, and can make plays underneath.”

This is no surprise to BSN, as we pointed to Johnson as a player we expect to have a breakout season in 2016.

Along with Johnson and Freismuth, Bobo pointed out Marcus Wilson as a receiver that has impressed him, after switching from defensive back to the offensive side this spring. Wilson’s toughness and effort to improve caught Bobo’s eye this spring, and he will certainly be a guy to look out for this fall.

With roughly four months until the Rams take on in-state foes CU, the offense will have plenty of time to continue to develop. Although spring ball does not determine the starters for the fall season, it definitely influences depth chart position entering fall camp. The work players have been putting in over the last month has laid the foundation for the 2016 season.

Now that the Green and Gold Game has come and gone, Ram fans are one step closer to real football being back.