Jim Mora says CSU has to 'teach people around here how to win'

PULLMAN, Wash. — Colorado State was drubbed by Washington State.

The Cougars dropped 73 points in a 73-7 win over the Rams on Nov. 15.

The loss officially eliminates the Rams from bowl contention.

Here's a look at the most notable things CSU coach Jim Mora said after the game.

Watch his full press conference via the video at the top of the story.

Jim Mora opening statement after loss to Washington State

"Not a lot to say after a game like that. I’ll tell you what, I’m going to give you the positive spin, defensively seeing guys like Jaden Hernandez go out there and play the way he did. And Kallen Martinez and Xavier Wimbush. That gives you hope. Gabe (Jones) has been improving. We’re going to roll with those guys. Those guys are going to start next week and they’re going to play for us. We’re going to get them ready to go."

Jim Mora on message to team after lopsided loss

"You have two choices. You can quit and run and hide or you can keep fighting. Some guys have identified that maybe they’ve already decided to run and hide. That’s why guys like Kallen and Jaden and some of those young guys are going to play."

Jim Mora on how pervasive players wanting to quit is

"I don’t think it’s intentional. When I say run and hide, I don’t think there’s many at all. I just think we need to give these young guys that have a real hunger, that haven’t got used to losing, they need a chance to play."

Jim Mora on pinpointing CSU's struggles

"It’s everything. You don’t get beat like — you have to look at every single thing that touches your organization."

Jim Mora on if fixing CSU football is a bigger challenge than he expected

"It’s much bigger fix than I thought it was. Much bigger. I never expected it to be like this."

Jim Mora on in-game reaction to allowing 70 points

"I’ve never given up 70 in my life. That was a first. I told (Washington State coach) Kirby (Moore) congrats, I’ve been doing this 40-something years and never come close to giving up 70. Well, I have come close this year. Before this year I’ve never come close to giving up 70. Just makes you more determined to get it fixed."

Jim Mora on what CSU needs to accomplish in final games of season

"It’s going to be revealing. I think our whole team will fight. I was about to fall into that old coach cliché of some guys will fight, some guys won’t. The character of these young men, they’ll fight. Hopefully we can get a couple wins so they can learn how to win, what it takes to win. I think that’s a real problem here and has been for many, many years. The people here don’t know how to win. The place I came from, they’ve won 16 national championships in basketball, so the whole school knew how to win. We have to teach people around here how to win."

Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Jim Mora says CSU has to 'teach people around here how to win'