Posts Tagged ‘Will Jefferson’

October 2, 2010           Colorado 29, Georgia 27

With less than two minutes to play in their game against Colorado at Folsom Field, the Georgia Bulldogs were positioned for a game-winning field goal. Instead, Colorado senior linebacker B.J. Beatty forced a fumble by Bulldog running back Caleb King at the Buff 30 yard line. Fellow linebacker Jon Major fell on the ball, preserving a 29-27 victory for Colorado. In a game in which both teams fostered – and then lost – two score leads, it was only fitting that the 52,855 on hand be treated to an unexpected ending.

Colorado was led onto the field by the 1990 national championship team. Over 80 players on coaches were on hand for the weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Colorado’s first national championship in football. Perhaps inspired by the presence of the title team, the 2010 Buffs started the game better than they had any game in the young season. Colorado took the opening kickoff and smartly marched 80 yards in 13 plays. Brian Lockridge got most of the 11 carries on the drive, but it was an eight yard scramble on third-and-six at the Colorado 24 yard line by quarterback Tyler Hansen which set…

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Wide Receiver Roulette

//posted 8.1.2010

Summer in Boulder never quiet for receiving corps

Summer in Boulder.

Warm days. Shakespeare in the Parks. Farmers’ markets. Hiking, biking, and barbeques …

… and turmoil in the University of Colorado receiving units.

A look back – 2009

While the 2009 preseason magazines were discussing the merits of head coach Dan Hawkins’ “ten wins; no excuses” statement, the Colorado receiving corps was undergoing an upheaval. Josh Smith, a record-setting kick returner (1,568 yards on 50 kickoff returns) and a speed burner being counted upon to stretch opposing defenses, announced he was leaving the program. Citing a desire to pursue a music major not offered in Boulder, Smith set his sights on a return to the state of California (ultimately settling on UCLA).

Also leaving the Buffs, but with less fanfare, was tight end Ryan Wallace. The red-shirt freshman was reportedly homesick, expressing a desire to return to a school closer to his native Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The loss of Smith and Wallace were off-set during the summer as news of the pursuit of transfer Toney Clemons. Unhappy with the new coaching staff at Michigan, Clemons, a former four-star recruit, was looking for a new home. Clemons ultimately chose Colorado, with…

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2010 Wide Receivers – Returning Players / Recruits

Before the end of the season-opener against Colorado State next September, senior wide receiver Scotty McKnight, who has 165 career catches, should own the all-time receptions record at Colorado, passing the 167 catches by Michael Westbrook. By the end of the season, McKnight should own the all-time receiving yards record as well (McKnight finished the 2009 season in 7th place in that category). McKnight already owns the school record for consecutive games with at least one catch (36). Overall, McKnight has been one of the most consistent and successful receivers in Colorado history.

But don’t look for Scotty McKnight to be on the cover of any 2010 college football preseason magazines.

McKnight’s productivity over the past three seasons has been obscured by the Buffs’ overall lack of success. Colorado is 14-23 over the past three seasons, and the total offense numbers have languished in the bottom half of the NCAA. The passing offense in 2009, though, did improve, jumping from 81st in 2008 to 45th last season. There were times during the year – especially after Tyler Hansen became the full time quarterback - when the passing game clicked.

What is there to look forward to…

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November 19th – @ Oklahoma State          #12 Oklahoma State 31, Colorado 28

For the second time in 2009, Colorado held a 14-10 halftime lead, on the road, against a ranked conference opponent. As with the Texas game in October, however, the Buffs could not hold the lead, falling 31-28 to #12 Oklahoma State. The Buffs turned four Cowboy turnovers and the poor play of backup quarterbacks into a 21-10 lead, but were unable to come away with their first road victory since 2007.

Four 15-yard penalties, missed opportunities, and a complete lack of a running game dropped the Buffs to a 3-8 season record. Oklahoma State did not complete a pass in the first half, as backup quarterback Alan Cote, substituting for the injured Zac Robinson, started 0-for-9 with an interception. Turning to third-string quarterback Brandon Weeden, the Cowboys found the spark they were looking for. Weeden went 10-for-15 for 168 yards and two touchdowns in leading the second half comeback. Colorado also played two quarterbacks, with starter Tyler Hansen missing much of the second quarter with a hand injury. Cody Hawkins was mostly effective in relief, going 7-for-11 for 69 yards, including a five-yard touchdown pass to Riar Geer just…

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Colorado 34, #17 Kansas 30

//posted 10.17.2009

October 17th – Boulder          Colorado 34, #17 Kansas 30

Colorado used two first half turnovers inside the Kansas five yard line to build a 24-3 lead, then hung on for a 34-30 victory with a deflected pass in the endzone as time expired. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Hansen, making his first start of the 2009 season, completed 14-of-25 passes for 175 yards and a score, adding 34 yards on 11 carries. Rodney Stewart led the rushing attack for the Buffs, with 108 yards and two touchdowns.

For the first time this season, Colorado fans did not see a score in the opening drive by at least one of the teams. The Buffs had surrendered points on the first drive of the game to every opponent except for Wyoming, and had posted points on their initial drive against Wyoming and Texas. The Family Weekend crowd of 51,146 was allowed to get settled into their seats, though, as the Buffs and the Jayhawks each went three-and-out in their first two possessions. The first first down of the game came on a 28-yard pass from Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing to wide receiver Brad McDougal midway through the first quarter, setting up the Jayhawks deep inside Buff…

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Preseason

//posted 6.13.2009
Fall Camp Notes  

August 27th:

Anything you can do, I can do better …

Take that, Steve Fairchild! In a move apparently designed to get fans in their seats on time for the 5:00 p.m. kickoff on September 6th (good seats still available!), Dan Hawkins on Thursday indicated that he will not name a starting quarterback until the day of the game. With CSU also being reluctant to name a starter, this could be the first opener in memory when neither starting quarterback is known prior to kickoff.

The lack of information may give each team’s offense a slight edge in preparation against the defenses, forcing the opposing defensive coordinator to prepare for more sets than they might have otherwise. Still the fact remains that while both teams have different personnel than a year before, neither team’s offensive philosophy has changed significantly.

My uneducated guess – both teams will have their starters in place by this weekend. The quarterbacks will know it, their coaches will know it, and their teammates will know it  The quarterback is too important a position to not have your starter taking the vast majority of reps the week before the game.

But it does make for good…

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