Jim Mora's debut as head coach of the Colorado State Rams was marked by a significant victory, as his team triumphed over the Wyoming Cowboys with a score of 35-13 on September 5 at Canvas Stadium. This win not only secured the Bronze Boot trophy but also set a positive tone for Mora's first season at the helm.
The atmosphere at Canvas Stadium was electric, with a record attendance of 17,500 fans, who celebrated the team's success by storming the field. Mora expressed his joy for the players, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a steady mindset despite the excitement surrounding the win. "Right now, I’m just happy for the players. We preach to them to not get too high or too low, so if I’m not steady, they won’t be," he stated during the postgame press conference.
One of the standout performances of the night came from quarterback Hauss Hejny, who threw for five touchdowns. Mora praised Hejny's composure and leadership, noting that despite being only in his second start, he displayed remarkable poise under pressure. "I saw five touchdowns, which was pretty nice. I’ll tell you what the most impressive thing about Hauss was, was his composure, his poise and his command of the game," Mora remarked. Hejny's ability to manage the game effectively, especially in crucial moments, was a key factor in the Rams' victory.
Mora also reflected on the team's defensive performance, which, although shaky at times, ultimately held Wyoming to just 13 points. He acknowledged his initial concerns about the defense's ability to contain the Cowboys' running game but was pleased with their resilience. "What I liked is they stayed resilient and they didn’t bust a lot of assignments. To be able to hold a team to 13 points is impressive," he noted.
The significance of the Border War rivalry was not lost on Mora, who took part in the Boot Run event leading up to the game. He shared his appreciation for the tradition and the emotional weight it carries for both the players and the community. "Going to the border yesterday gave me a little taste of it. That was unique to see the ROTC running back. More than anything was our players and how they reacted to this baby (the Bronze Boot) and what it means to them and to this community and to this school," he explained.
As the Rams celebrate this important victory, Mora is keen to keep the momentum going. He acknowledged that while the players were elated in the locker room, it is crucial to remain focused as they prepare for their next challenge. "I just want to make sure they get back down to earth real quick because we have another challenge coming up in seven days," he concluded. With this win, Mora has set a promising foundation for the season ahead, and fans will be eager to see how the team builds on this success.
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