The air in Fort Collins feels different right now. It’s that weird, stagnant January cold where the season is long over, but the sting of the final score of CSU football game against Air Force still hangs around like frozen exhaust in a Canvas Stadium parking lot.
21-42.
That was the final number on the board when the clock hit zero on November 28, 2025. It wasn't just a loss; it was the exclamation point on a 2-10 season that basically saw the Jay Norvell era crumble into the turf. If you’re looking for a more recent score, you might be thinking of the basketball team—they just dropped a tough one 79-73 to Boise State on Friday night—but for the football junkies, the wounds from that 2025 campaign are still very much open.
Breaking Down the Last CSU Football Score
Honestly, that final game against Air Force was a microcosm of the whole year. CSU came in with a five-game losing streak and left with a sixth. The Rams put up 21 points, which sounds decent on paper, but the defense just couldn't solve the triple option. It felt like watching a slow-motion car crash. Jackson Brousseau, who took over the starting job late in the season, actually threw for 323 yards and two scores in that finale. He looked like the future.
Then, he entered the transfer portal.
Just yesterday, January 16, 2026, news broke that Brousseau committed to Cal. So, that 21-42 score wasn't just the end of a season; it was the final look at a quarterback room that is now being completely gutted and rebuilt by the new man in charge.
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Why the 2025 Scores Were So Brutal
If you look back at the schedule, the "what went wrong" list is a mile long. The Rams started with a glimmer of hope, beating Northern Colorado 21-17 back in September. People thought, "Okay, maybe we can scrape together a bowl bid."
Nope.
- The UTSA Heartbreak: A 16-17 loss on September 20. One point. That’s the difference between momentum and a spiral.
- The Wyoming Shutout: 0-28. Losing the Bronze Boot is one thing; getting goose-egged in Laramie is a soul-crusher for the fan base.
- The Boise State Blowout: 21-49. This was the game where it became clear the gap between CSU and the top of the Mountain West had become a canyon.
By the time the score of CSU football game against Air Force was finalized, the administration had already seen enough. Jay Norvell was out, and the Jim Mora era officially began.
The Jim Mora Effect and the 2026 Rebuild
You’ve probably seen the headlines. Jim Mora didn't just walk into Fort Collins; he brought a moving truck filled with UConn players. It’s basically "UConn West" at this point.
Mora is trying to flip the script immediately. He knows that a 2-10 record isn't just a bad season—it's an existential threat to recruiting. He’s been hitting the portal hard since it opened on January 2.
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Who is Coming to Save the Scoreboard?
The most interesting name is Hauss Hejny. He’s a former four-star recruit from Oklahoma State. If you want the score of CSU football game in 2026 to look better than 21-42, Hejny is the guy everyone is pinning their hopes on. He’s got that dual-threat capability that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep.
But it’s not just him. Mora brought over guys like Javonte "Juice" Vereen (a 6-foot-4 tight end) and defensive end Stephon Wright. These aren't just depth pieces; these are guys expected to start on day one.
What the 2026 Schedule Means for Future Scores
The 2026 schedule is already set, and it’s a gauntlet. If you’re a betting person, you’re looking at these dates with a mix of excitement and "oh no."
- Sept 5 vs. Wyoming: Mora gets his first taste of the Border War right out of the gate.
- Sept 12 vs. Southern Utah: A "should win," but we said that about Northern Colorado, and that was a dogfight.
- Sept 19 vs. BYU: This is the big one. Canvas Stadium needs to be rocking for this.
- Sept 26 at UTSA: A chance for revenge after that 16-17 disaster last year.
The reality is that the score of CSU football game outcomes in September will dictate whether Mora’s honeymoon period lasts through October. Fans are patient, but only to a point. They want to see the "New Era" actually put points on the board and, more importantly, stops on the field.
Dealing with the Redshirt Rule Changes
There's some technical stuff happening behind the scenes too. Just this week, FBS coaches (including Mora) voted to recommend changing redshirt rules. They want players to be able to play up to nine games and still keep their redshirt.
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Why does this matter for CSU? Because when you’re rebuilding a roster with 20+ transfers and a bunch of freshmen, you need flexibility. Last year, the Rams had to burn eligibility on guys because of injuries. If this rule passes the NCAA Committee, the 2026 season could see a lot more "look-sees" at young talent without ruining their future.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for Rams Fans
Look, obsessing over the 21-42 score from November won't change the past. If you want to stay ahead of what's happening with CSU football as we head toward spring ball, here is what you actually need to do:
- Track the Portal Closely: The window for players to enter closed recently, but commitments are still rolling in. Watch for a veteran offensive lineman; that’s the one area Mora hasn’t fully "fixed" yet.
- Mark the Spring Game: Usually held in April, this will be your first real look at Hauss Hejny and the UConn transfers.
- Check the Redshirt Status: Keep an eye on the NCAA Division I Committee’s decision on the nine-game redshirt rule. It could fundamentally change how Mora manages the roster in late 2026.
- Monitor the Basketball Crossover: Since the football season is over, the athletic department's energy is on the court. The way the school handles NIL for basketball usually tips the hand for how they’ll support Mora's football recruiting in the summer.
The 2025 season was a dumpster fire. There’s no other way to put it. But in the world of college football, January is the month of "what if." With a new coach, a new QB, and a roster that looks nothing like the one that lost to Air Force, the next score of CSU football game might actually be something worth celebrating.
Stay tuned to the local beats like the Rocky Mountain Collegian or DNVR Sports for the granular details on spring practice schedules. The turnaround starts now, even if the scoreboard doesn't light up again until September.