Steve Addazio on CSU's mindset between now and Friday night: "We’re preparing our ass off all the way up until the foot hits the ball"

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State is one day closer to opening the 2021 season against South Dakota State, and according to head coach Steve Addazio, the Rams got in a productive practice on Tuesday morning. 

Addazio said on Monday that while the effort was good, the execution as a whole needed to be much crisper. He was happier with his team’s performance this time around, however, telling the local press that it was a better day overall. He’ll need to confirm his gut reaction during film review. But he feels like the team has gotten a little bit better with each day of preparation. 

Although they will not be very physical, CSU still has two more days of practice prior to the home opener against the Jackrabbits. During those 48 hours Addazio is hoping to polish some things as his squad gets ready. What’s particularly encouraging to him is that the squad was cleaner, crisper, and practiced with a sense of urgency 

“Our guys have been up and about, up for extra work, in talking to coaches, going through things, their attitude has been tremendous,” Addazio said. 

Obviously there is not enough time to implement much more or change the game plan drastically. At this point it’s really all about refinement and combing through the little things. Until the foot hits the ball on Friday night, though, Addazio wants the Rams to continue to strive for the highest level of execution possible. 

“We’re preparing our ass off all the way up until the foot hits the ball. Kickoff, “ Addazio said. “I believe in that wholeheartedly. And I talk to the staff about it.”

As Addazio explained, the Rams will have walkthroughs and the coaches will continue to evaluate what’s within their control. What’s important to him is for everyone to continue to bust their tails and not leave any questions about whether or not they were as prepared as possible. 

“Who knows, even if you reduce 10 more errors that’s closer to perfection. So that’s what we’re striving for right now,” Addazio said. 

While Addazio has plenty on his plate when it comes to getting ready for an FCS team that many are projecting as preseason national title contenders, the one thing he does not have to worry about on Friday is the stress of wondering whether his team will have the numbers to play. A small group of unvaccinated players will still have to pass testing, but with most of the roster fully vaccinated, Addazio can rest a little easier over these next couple of days. 

“I can’t control what happens at other programs,” Addazio said, before adding that he does not even want to think about the possibility of a game being cancelled. “Knock on wood three times.”

Finally, along with not having to deal with the stress of the pandemic so consistently, Addazio is simply looking forward to the return of pageantry in college football. The 62-year-old head coach expressed that he loves the traditions that come with the game. Whether it’s entering the stadium via the Ram Walk as the adoring Ram Faithful welcomes them, the team coming through the tunnel, Addazio appreciates it all. 

He did add that he’s interested to see how the team responds to everything. With fans back in the stands for the first time in close to two years, Addazio has mentioned multiple times in the past week that he thinks there will be some bumps in the road as the players settle into the groove of things and let their adrenaline levels even out. 

“With the new rules you’re only allowed two scrimmages, and even those aren’t really what they used to be,” Addazio said. “It will be interesting to see how the guys react on the big field, with the fans and under the lights. There’s something to that now. I already told the team, our goal is that we just have to win the game.”

CSU and SDSU will kick off at 7:00 p.m. MT on Friday night. The game is nationally televised on FS1, so it’s a chance for the Rams to make a positive impression, especially with less competing games on the schedule. We’ll see what they’re made of.