Win over Fresno State reaffirms Jay Norvell’s belief CSU Rams can turn 2025 season around

FORT COLLINS — Jay Norvell wore his emotions on his sleeve as he sat at the podium clutching a game ball he dedicated to Jesus Christ.

A week ago, after Colorado State was dismantled by San Diego State in the Mountain West opener, it seemed like it might take a biblical miracle for the Rams to win another football game this fall — and for Norvell to save his job.

As Norvell and his team returned home for a matchup against a Fresno State team that appeared capable of winning the Mountain West, the CSU coach did something he normally doesn’t the night before the game at the team’s usual trip to the movies.

“I usually don’t talk to them after we go to the movies, but I did (Thursday) night,” Norvell said.

As injuries have piled up and the Rams have gotten off to a 1-4 start to the season despite sky high preseason expectations, Norvell had a message he wanted to get across to his players.

“The cavalry’s not riding in to save us,” Norvell said he told the team. “We have to save ourselves. We have to make plays. Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for us.”

With the way CSU played Friday night in a convincing, 49-21 win over the Bulldogs, it’s safe to say that message got through.

Colorado State freshman defensive lineman Jack Moran (77) celebrates during a game against Fresno State on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins. (Courtesy of CSU Athletics)

On both sides of the ball, the Rams executed at a level they hadn’t to that point all season. The offense was efficient and explosive, scoring touchdowns on its first four possessions. The defense, despite allowing over 460 yards of offense and being on the field for nearly 80 plays, was opportunistic, forcing four turnovers and generating more sacks (5) than they had all season to that point (4).

“Extremely proud of our football team — our players and our coaches. That is a really close group of people in that locker room. I was really, really proud of their focus,” Norvell said. “We talked about just playing with great effort and trying to limit mistakes. Simplified some of the things that we did on both sides of the ball. What an amazing effort we got from so many players. We had a bunch of guys hurt and seven starters out and all that stuff, but our kids stepped up and they played very focused.”

This banged-up version of the Rams had no choice. 

Half of the team’s six captains, voted by their teammates in the preseason, have suffered season-ending injuries. But all of them were on the sidelines Friday night — even with big knee braces and crutches — cheering on their teammates.

“Those guys are still leading, which is pretty special,” Norvell said. “They care about CSU, they care about this football team, they care about this program. That’s what I’m proud of.”

Colorado State senior outside linebacker Paul Tangelo (52) dives for a touchdown in the first half of a game against Fresno State on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins. (Courtesy of CSU Athletics)

If there’s one thing Norvell has shown throughout his tenure at CSU, it’s that all he wants is a group of players in the locker room that won’t give it. He believed that going into this season — it’s a big reason why he boldly stated in early September that his team has “championship DNA” — and even though the rough start is something that can’t be changed, Norvell hasn’t given up on the final six games.

“We haven’t had the execution that we’ve wanted, but we’ve never quit. That’s why I believed that better things are down the road for this group,” Norvell said. “I just think this is an example. This is just scratching the surface. We’re capable. We have a lot of capable players that played closer to their potential tonight, which is exciting to see, but we’ll build on it. A lot of these guys are just getting started.”

Everything Norvell is feeling, he’s wearing. But his Rams team is, too.

“We show people our soul when we go out there and work,” Norvell said. “If you can’t appreciate this football team’s soul, then you’ve got a problem and I will say that out loud every day and twice on Sundays. We’ve got amazing players. We’ve got a really quality coaching staff. This was a special win.”