CSU invites students to practice Colorado State coach Mike Bobo invited students to view the last half of Tuesday’s practice, and about 120 of them took up the first-year coach on his offer. “We want the student body to realize it’s their football team,” Bobo said. “It’s not just us over here practicing and lifting weights, it’s the whole university’s football team. We’re trying to encourage student attendance, and I wanted them to get out and see what their team goes through and personally invite them to the game and personally challenge them, for not only them to come, but to grab two, three friends to come to every game.” Bobo felt the practice was good after two days off. As for ticket sales, the school said Tuesday season-ticket sales are up to 8,500, and the line for students purchasing tickets for the first three game has been steady. Naturally, the players are hoping to perform in front of big crowds, and they enjoyed practicing in front of an audience. “I was really excited. I wasn’t expecting too many people to come out, the first week of class and everything, but it was a lot of people out here,” guard Fred Zerblis said. “I think it was a good experience for us and them, to see how we practice on a daily basis.” On the mend — Defensive lineman Terry Jackson has been out more than a week, still waiting to get cleared to practice after sustaining and concussion, Bobo said. Linebacker Kiel Robinson also missed Tuesday’s practice, but is expected back Wednesday. Roster additions — With class beginning, Colorado State was able to add more walk-ons to the roster. Among them were Berthoud product Nate Ryken, who was with the team all last year. Immediate impact — Bobo said a few true freshmen are still in line for playing time this season. Cornerback Braylin Scott is in the mix on the two-deep, as is guard/center Colby Meeks, who was with the team in the spring. Bobo also mentioned running back Izzy Matthews and receiver Bisi Johnson.

FORT COLLINS — Remember, there is some continuity within the Colorado State football program.

When Mike Bobo retained the services of Jeff Hammerschmidt as the special teams coordinator, there was a group of very happy people on the team. Under Hammerschmidt’s guidance, the Rams have steadily improved on special teams, and even Bobo could see that.

“I didn’t watch any film of special teams, to be honest, until we sat down and interviewed Coach Hammer,” Bobo said earlier in camp. “First of all, I’m going to be honest: I’m not a genius on the Xs and Os of special teams, but when he would explain drills, explain a protection, explain the scheme, and you turn on the tape, his guys were executing what he explained.

“Your players are a reflection of the coach, and they were executing everything he was saying. He explained it in a great manner. I was impressed in the interview. Since that time, he probably runs the best special teams meeting I’ve ever sat in and been a part of. Guys are into it, he’s organized, he does a great job, and if we’re going to be good, we’ve got to win some games on special teams.”

Colorado State’s special teams units ranked in the top quarter in the conference in just about every statistic, and not just incrementally, but in hidden yards that definitely make a difference.

There was only one holdout, however, and that was punt return average. The Rams were dismal last season, averaging just 3.9 yards per return.

Part of it was the Rams missed Joe Hansley back there. There were some injury issues that kept him from performing the task as often, but when he did, he averaged 9.7 yards a try.

Still, even for him, that wasn’t very good. He averaged 12.5 a return as a freshman, 15.0 as a sophomore, including one return for a score.

“I don’t know,” Hansley said. “I guess I just wasn’t myself back there returning punts, and if you’re not confident back there, you’re not going to do anything.”

Hansley said the main issue was when he was back there, he was hesitant. Injuries may have had something to do with that, he’s not sure. He just wasn’t himself, and it led to more fair catches the coaches would have preferred.

First, coaches want a guy who will catch the ball. They also want somebody who is fearless. At times, a younger Hansley seemed to bypass that and went straight to flat-out nuts his first two years, seemingly refusing to raise his hand at times and taking some shots in the process. But he also delivered some, too, weaving out of trouble to improve field position.

Bobo said he wants a first down each return — at least 10 yards. As of right now, Hansley is his guy, though there are challengers in the wings.

Now that Hansley is healthy, he said things feel different.

He feels good.

He thinks he’s that guy again.

“I think I can do better than that,” Hansley said of Bobo’s directive. “Hopefully better than a 10-yard average, break a couple. You’ve got to produce, that’s how it is. If you’re not out here returning punts and getting yards, you’re not out there.”

If that’s the case, the Rams could find themselves with a dynamic return game on both fronts. Deionte Gaines led the conference in kickoff returns last year, averaging 24.9 yards per return, with a long of 61. He came close to breaking a couple, but was brought down by the kicker on a couple of occasions.

The Rams’ aim to improve even more in those areas this season, and punter Hayden Hunt — who himself made impressive games in turns of per-put average and net result — has seen a difference in how the units are approached, thanks to a directive from Bobo.

While he might not know how to script coverage, he knows what it requires — a special effort by inspired players.

“Coach Bobo really preaches if you want to travel and you want to play on offense, you have to play on special teams,” Hunt said. “Not just one, but two special teams units. Now we have the best athletes on the team out there, and they all want to grind so they can start on defense and offense.”

Mike Brohard: 970-635-3633, mbrohard@reporter-herald.com and twitter.com/mbrohard