Jackson Brousseau Emerges as Leader for Colorado State Football

Colorado State University sophomore quarterback Jackson Brousseau has rapidly ascended from a backup role to the starting position and team captain for the Rams football team. This transition occurred less than a month ago, and Brousseau has demonstrated significant growth during his three starts, stepping up as a leader for a squad facing numerous challenges, including injuries to over half of its preseason-elected captains.

Head coach Jay Norvell expressed optimism about Brousseau’s potential, noting his intelligence on the field and ability to guide his teammates. “He’s really just starting to play,” Norvell said. “The future’s in front of him, but he’s a very smart player that will put his teammates in position to make plays.” Norvell emphasized the importance of Brousseau’s maturity and preparedness, stating, “If you show him something, if he sees it in the game, he’s going to take advantage of it.”

Brousseau’s journey began on September 20, 2023, when he took over for starting quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi during the fourth quarter of a loss to UTSA. In that game, Brousseau completed ten of twelve passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, prompting his promotion to starting quarterback just two days later.

In his debut as a starter, Brousseau faced a tough outing against Washington State, where the Rams managed only a field goal in a 20-3 defeat. He rebounded the following week, passing for 155 yards and a touchdown in a 45-24 loss against San Diego State. His recent performance, however, marked a turning point; last week, he threw for 144 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Rams to a decisive 49-21 victory over Fresno State and snapping a three-game losing streak.

Brousseau attributes part of his success to the support of his teammates, particularly the running backs and tight end Rocky Beers. In the game against Fresno State, two of his touchdown passes were directed at Beers, while running back Javion Kinnard caught the other, showcasing Brousseau’s commitment to distributing the ball effectively. “That’s always what we’re trying to do, spread the ball around and exploit the defense,” he explained.

As the Rams prepare for their upcoming homecoming game against Hawaii on Saturday, October 7, 2023, they aim to build on their recent success. The game will take place at Canvas Stadium at 17:00 (local time). The Rams currently hold a record of 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Mountain West Conference.

Hawaii enters the matchup with a 5-2 record, having won its last two games, including a 44-26 victory over Utah State. Head coach Timmy Chang, a longtime friend of Norvell, has helped his team develop mental resilience, particularly in close games. Norvell remarked, “He is a really smart coach… I really appreciate him doing that with this football team.”

The Rainbow Warriors’ offense is led by quarterback Micah Alejado, who has thrown for 1,546 yards and nine touchdowns, while running back Landon Sims leads the ground game. On defense, defensive back Peter Manuma leads the team with 38 tackles, and defensive lineman De’Jon Benton boasts six tackles for loss and three sacks.

In terms of injury updates, linebacker JaQues Evans has been ruled out for the season after suffering a career-ending injury. “You could have knocked me over with a feather,” Norvell said about the unexpected nature of the news. Evans joins several other players, including defensive back Jayden Cortell and wide receiver Stephon Daily, on the season-ending injury list.

As the Rams prepare to face Hawaii, they will look to capitalize on their recent momentum and continue developing under the leadership of Brousseau. The team leads the all-time series against Hawaii, 16-12, but lost to them in their last meeting, a 27-24 defeat in Honolulu in 2023. The Rams will aim to reclaim their edge in this storied rivalry while pushing for a stronger season finish.