In a stunning move rarely seen in college football, Colorado State defensive coordinator Tyson Summers was removed as play-caller mid-game Saturday, and then *left the field entirely*, now permanently gone from the program. This isn’t just a coaching change, folks; this is a full-blown, mid-game implosion that screams trouble for the Rams’ season.
The Sideline Shocker That Rocked Fort Collins
The drama unfolded during the first half of Colorado State’s brutal 56-26 loss to Oregon State in Fort Collins. First-year head coach Jim Mora Jr. didn’t even wait for the final whistle, pulling Summers from his duties right there on the sideline. Mora confirmed the shocking turn of events to reporters after the game, leaving no room for speculation. “Tyson was relieved of his play-calling duties,” Mora stated. “He left the field, and he’s no longer with this football program. That is permanent.” Mora added that Summers made the decision to leave on his own, which, let’s be real, is an incredibly rare and wild move for any coach, let alone during a game. According to sideline reporter Dalen Cuff, citing the Coloradoan, co-defensive coordinator Kenny McClendon was reportedly calling plays since about midway through the first quarter, and Summers hadn’t even been on the sideline since that point. Talk about a complete and utter breakdown.
Dismal Defense and a Glimmer of Hope?
This mid-game shake-up came as no surprise to anyone who’s watched Colorado State’s defense this season. They’ve been flat-out dismal. Entering Saturday, the Rams ranked a pathetic 129th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 34.3 points per game. You just know that number is going to climb even higher after giving up 56 to the Beavers. Despite the coordinator switch, the Oregon State offense kept rolling like a runaway train, dropping 14 points in the first quarter, 21 in the second, and another 21 in the second half. Ouch. Kenny McClendon, who had been co-defensive coordinator, will now step into the hot seat as the primary play-caller. Mora tried to find a positive spin on a tough night for McClendon, saying, “He was put in a very difficult situation tonight, and he responded well, and the players responded well. Very first play he called as a defensive coordinator his entire life was a sack caused fumble. So we’re going to get better. We’re going to get a lot better.”
What Happens Next for Mora’s Rams?
For Jim Mora Jr., in his first year at the helm after leaving UConn, this is a massive challenge. He’s now handed the defensive unit to a new voice before the season is even halfway done, a stark admission that things were simply not working. The unit has struggled all season, and Summers’ mid-game departure is the latest, and perhaps most dramatic, sign of that trouble. While Mora’s optimism about getting better is admirable, the Rams need to figure things out fast. With the defense ranking among the worst in the nation, every game from here on out is about finding an identity and proving they can, in fact, get a lot better.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
Leave a Reply