FORT COLLINS — For the first time since the 2023 season opener, Colorado State’s starting quarterback will not be Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.

The Rams’ third-year starter at the position will be benched for this Saturday’s game (5:30 p.m. CBS Sports Network) in favor of redshirt sophomore Jackson Brousseau, coach Jay Norvell said Monday.

Norvell had opened up the possibility of going to Brousseau prior to last week’s game after Fowler-Nicolosi struggled in the Week 2 win over Northern Colorado, saying Brousseau was getting reps with the first-team offense during the bye week. He opted to stick with Fowler-Nicolosi heading into an important UTSA game that CSU ultimately dropped by a final of 17-16.

“I felt like last week needed to be handled the way that it was, just because of the opponent we were playing and Brayden’s experience getting ready for those types of games,” Norvell said. “I just thought it was more fair for Jackson to come in (in the fourth quarter) and he did a fantastic job.”

After a drive that began late in the third quarter and ended in the fourth quarter ended with the Rams’ eighth punt of the night, the restlessness inside Canvas Stadium was evident. Fans in the stands were calling for Fowler-Nicolosi to be benched and Norvell obliged, sending Brousseau onto the field with CSU trailing 10-3 with under 12 minutes to play.

The Lehi, Utah, native, who has spent the last two seasons backing up Fowler-Nicolosi and entered this past week with just 8 career pass attempts, led two touchdown drives, completing 10-of-12 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, adding a 6-yard carry that picked up a first down.

He made multiple big throws, including a pair (one on third down and one on fourth down with the game on the line) to pick up first downs. He also allowed the rushing attack to be at its most effective with sophomore Lloyd Avant racking up 45 of his team-leading 96 yards in the fourth quarter.

“He’s the kind of guy that does exactly what you ask him to do,” Norvell said. “I sat down with him and told him how proud I was of him, of how he’s handled himself as a backup. It’s not easy to prepare yourself every week and not know if you’re gonna play or not. I think he’s done a fantastic job of that. He did a great job in the game with his two drives.

“I told him (Monday) morning, ‘You’ve got a lot of playmakers. You’ve got several good running backs. You’ve got good tight ends and receivers that are gonna make plays for you. All we need is for you to do the things that we’re coaching you to do and execute.’ He gave us a chance to win the game at the end, and so he’s gonna get his opportunity this week.”

The CSU coaches trust Brousseau to execute the offense the way it’s called and get the ball in the hands of the effective playmakers.

“We’ve got good skill players. We’ve got a good offensive line,” Norvell said. “We’ve gotta allow everybody the opportunity to execute. One of the things a quarterback (has to do) is you gotta use the right footwork and you gotta use the right fundamentals. The rhythm of your offense goes through the feet of the quarterback. We just need more consistent play there, so everybody else can be more effective.”

As CSU prepares to host Washington State in the final nonconference game of the year — although it will be an annual conference game in the new-look Pac-12 starting next year — it’s ironic the move was made this week.

Two years ago, in the 2023 season opener, Fowler-Nicolosi replaced a struggling Clay Millen and impressed in the fourth quarter of that loss to Wazzu. He started the following game against Colorado and nearly led the Rams to an upset. He has been the program’s starter since, leading CSU to its first bowl game in seven years last fall.

But after an impressive showing on the road against a talented Washington team to open the 2025 campaign, a puzzling performance against Northern Colorado two weeks ago opened the door for change. Fowler-Nicolosi did little on Saturday to prove he deserves to remain the team’s starter.

“We’re still trying to get to the bottom of what’s going on with Brayden and his play the last two weeks,” Norvell said. “We’re gonna coach him up. We love him. He’s been a really good player for us. We’re gonna support him and we’re gonna coach him up.”

For at least this week, though, Fowler-Nicolosi’s job is now to support Brousseau from the sidelines.

“Jackson has a great personality for the position,” Norvell said. “He really does have natural leadership skills. He’s an excellent communicator, which is so vital for the quarterback position and he handles coaching well. I think the biggest thing that we were excited about is, when he went into the game, he really executed things the way that we wanted him to. 

“We just need a guy that can manage it and put people in position and let the skill players do what they do best and he does a great job of that.”