FORT COLLINS – It was only a matter of time until the Colorado State Rams went with the future. And the future starts Saturday with true freshman Collin Hill.
Head coach Mike Bobo announced after practice Wednesday that Hill would get his first collegiate start against the University of Northern Colorado.
“I feel comfortable with him going forward,” said Bobo. “I expect him to play well and for us to improve in our passing game and improve offensively. And hopefully, we’ll do enough to put ourselves in a position to win the ballgame on Saturday.”
Of all the games on the schedule remaining for the Rams, this one makes the most sense for Hill to start. This should be a confidence booster for the entire offense ahead of a week 4 matchup at Minnesota. Then again, last week was supposed to be a platform for Faton Bauta to ascend.
The game plan figures to be simplified for Hill, who similar to Bauta, boasts a dual-threat that defenses have to be aware of. Look for CSU to go with the hurry-up early on as a way to keep the UNC defense on its heels.
“Us playing up-tempo allowed us to, even though maybe we didn’t block everything exactly right or get the exact look we’d like on certain plays, it allowed us to catch the defense off-guard,” said Bobo as he referred to the no-huddle Bauta ran in the first half against UTSA. “We play better when we play fast.”
And while the Rams try to get their quarterback play back to where they want it, Bobo and the offense have been forced to get creative in an effort to avoid being one-dimensional.
“How we’re keeping defenses honest right now is similar to smoke and mirrors with the motions and quarterbacks runs,” said Bobo.
How quickly their young quarterback picks things up could very well determine how the far this CSU team goes in 2016. Bobo gushed over the poise of the 18-year-old Hill.
“He’s very, very calm,” said Bobo. “He’s an even temperament. Sometimes I think he’s too calm,” the head coach said, referring to how Hill is even-keeled after nice throws and interceptions alike.
There’s no question the Hill possesses the talent to lead this team.
“His physical skills – he’s a really great release,” said Bobo. “He’s over the top, the ball jumps off his hand. And we’re a work in progress at wideout. We need someone that can put the ball on them.”
Don’t let Hill’s cool demeanor fool you, though. Bobo told the media Wednesday how his then-third-string quarterback kept bugging him during the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
“Walking out of the field at Mile High, he goes ‘I’m ready, put me in,” said Bobo. “He’s confident and you’ve got to have the confidence to play quarterback. And he does, and he’s got the arm talent to back that.”
Granted, Bobo has talked with Hill about how he won’t have the perfect game and that he will make mistakes. That said, there’s no denying that his teammates back him this week and moving forward.
“He’s got some natural ability in his arm that I haven’t really seen here in a while since Garrett (Grayson) left,” said junior center Jake Bennett. “Just his arm, athleticism and ability to play ball is something special.”
