CSU notes: Indoor facility a bonus, Bobo says

It’s not often a football coach finds an advantage that CSU has over a Southeastern Conference school.

So it was a bit surprising Thursday to hear Colorado State University coach Mike Bobo sing the praises of the Rams’ Indoor Practice Facility.

But that’s exactly what Bobo was doing following a 1-hour, 50-minute practice that began on the school’s outdoor practice fields and ended indoors, after sensors detected lightning in the area. Once Bobo learned why the horn was sounding, the Rams raced over to the nearby indoor facility to finish up.

“We came right in here and started right where we left off,” Bobo said afterward. “Where I just came from, if we’d have had to go inside, we’d have had to meet or wait around until it cleared and then go back outside. So it’s nice to come in and get it done, finish on time.”

Bobo said no drills had to be modified, and every player got the same number of practice repetitions indoors that he would have had outdoors.

“I thought it was awesome we got to come right in and get the work done,” he said.

CSU’s Indoor Practice Facility, built at a cost of $13 million, opened in 2009. It includes a 70-yard synthetic turf football field, a full court for basketball or volleyball, a 70-yard track, meeting rooms for film study, a small training room and a shoe-changing room.

The Rams also used the indoor facility for the second of their two practices Wednesday, the first of the five two-a-day sessions they have planned during fall camp.

SPECIAL PRAISE: Bobo said he’s impressed with the way the Rams played on special teams the past three seasons under former coach Jim McElwain. That’s why he kept Jeff Hammerschmidt on his coaching staff as the special-teams coordinator.

“I didn’t watch any film of special teams, to be honest, until we sat down and interviewed coach Hammer and really was just impressed. … I’m not a genius on the Xs and Os of special teams, but when he would explain a drill, explain a protection, explain the scheme, and you turned on the tape, his guys were executing what he explained.

“Players are a reflection of the coach, and they were executing everything he was saying.”

Special teams, Bobo said, are going to be critical for the Rams this season, and he expects his players to take them seriously. Starters will be expected to play on up to two special teams apiece, he said, with only a few exceptions.

“If we’re going to be good, we’ve got to win some games on special teams,” Bobo said.

RECALL: Bobo said players have done a good job learning what is expected of them in the new offensive and defensive schemes he introduced during spring drills. He’s pleased with the effort of his players, too.

But there’s still a lot of work to do to get ready for the season.

“Guars are understanding what we’re doing, they’re getting better at assignments,” he said. “Now, we’ve got to get better at the little things, so executing that assignment, the fundamentals of that.

“We’re playing hard, there’s no doubt about it, giving good effort. But we’ve still got to do better fundamentally.”

WINGING IT: Bobo said he hasn’t had a chance to get in any practice for throwing out the first pitch Saturday night at the Colorado Rockies home game against the San Diego Padres.

The Rockies are honoring CSU that night, and Bobo will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

“We don’t have a baseball team,” Bobo said. “I don’t see a mound around here to practice. I told myself I was going to go somewhere this summer and practice, but I haven’t. So, I’m just going to wing it.”

CAMPUS TRYOUTS: CSU announced on Twitter that walk-on tryouts will be held for students when classes start.

Geoff Martzen, the Rams’ director of player personnel, said the tryouts will be held Aug. 24. Only full-time CSU students, who began school in 2013 or earlier, are eligible. Interested candidates are asked to email Martzen at Geoff.martzen@colostate.edu for additional information.

INJURY UPDATE: Tackle Jordan Benson, a redshirt freshman, was wearing a protective boot on his sprained right ankle during practice. His status is “day to day,” Bobo said.

Sophomore safety Jake Schlager and tight end Kivon Cartwright are wearing red jerseys in practice to signify limited contact while recovering from injuries that sidelined them in 2014 for “precautionary reasons,” the coach said.

Junior receiver Jordon Vaden practiced in a red jersey Wednesday but was out of it Thursday.

“Jordan got into a couple of scuffles, so we tried to take him out of red since he wanted to scuffle,” Bobo said.

Injuries haven’t really been much of an issue in fall camp, Bobo said.

“Overall, we’re pretty healthy,” he said. “But you’ve got the usual camp soreness – groins, hamstrings, things like that that you’ve got to be careful of.”

FIRST SCRIMMAGE: The Rams will hold their first fall scrimmage on Saturday at Hughes Stadium. The scrimmage is closed to the public and media. A second scrimmage, also closed, will be held Aug. 19 at Hughes.

Bobo said the Rams cut their practice back a bit Thursday and will shorten the length of Friday’s two practices, as well, to give players a chance to rest up a bit for the scrimmage.

Follow reporter Kelly Lyell at twitter.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news