Colorado Daily

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Colorado Daily

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July 24th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

**Neill Woelk posts his Fall Camp Preview**

From CUBuffs.com … A year ago, new Colorado football coach Karl Dorrell took lemons and made lemonade.

In the face of unprecedented circumstances caused by the Covid pandemic, Dorrell excelled. The Buffaloes won four of five regular season games, put themselves in contention for a Pac-12 South title and earned CU’s first bowl bid since 2016.

For those efforts, Dorrell earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors — and perhaps more importantly, sent a message that the Buffaloes were ready to move forward, no matter what obstacles popped up in their path.

Now, while it is technically his second year at the helm, Dorrell is preparing his team for its first “normal” season under his direction.

The Buffs were able to have a spring ball session. They were able to participate in a full summer’s worth of work, including a complete series of workouts under new director of sports performance Shannon Turley.

Next comes fall camp, set to open Aug. 5, and then a 12-game schedule that includes a non-conference lineup ranked among the nation’s 10 toughest (Northern Colorado, Texas A&M and Minnesota). It is also worth noting that CU will have the opportunity for 100 percent capacity at Folsom Field — a huge boost for players who spent last season playing mostly in front of empty seats.

There is no doubt a long list of fall camp priorities for Dorrell and his staff, from position battles to the continued installation of a new defense and a revamped offense. Camp will also be important for Dorrell’s continued goal of building depth throughout the roster, and it will be another important step as well in developing the culture of the program — something that can’t be accomplished in just a few weeks.

Storylines will be plentiful. We have outlined a few here that should be especially compelling as camp unfolds and the Sept. 3 opener against Northern Colorado (7 p.m., Folsom Field) draws nearer.

Position battles — Yes, every fall camp has its share. But the positions up for grabs this year, and the wealth of talent at those spots, will make every snap of every practice critical for players aiming to earn a spot atop the depth chart.

Of course, tops on the list is quarterback, where all eyes will be on freshman Brendon Lewis, who had an outstanding college debut in the Alamo Bowl, and sophomore J.T. Shrout, a transfer from Tennessee who had an excellent spring. The two emerged from the spring in a virtual dead heat, and they will no doubt find their every move in fall camp under the microscope as coaches go through the process of identifying a starter.

But there will be plenty of other battles worth watching. At running back, Jarek Broussard (last season’s Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year) missed much of the spring, opening the door for Alex Fontentot (CU’s leading rusher in 2019) and talented freshman Ashaad Clayton to display their talents. There will also be plenty of competition on the defensive line, at wide receiver, inside and outside linebacker, and the defensive line.

The situation is what coaches love to see — competition between talented players who push to make each other better. Watching the battles unfold will no doubt provide interesting storylines as camp moves forward.

… Continue reading story here …

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July 23rd

… CU in a few minutes … 

Texas A&M Preview: CU is 4-1 all-time at home v. Aggies, but this isn’t the A&M of the Big 12

From the Daily Camera … When the Buffaloes meet the Aggies on Sept. 11 in Denver, they will see a program that is significantly improved from the days when these teams were Big 12 Conference rivals.

CU won four of six meetings with A&M from 2000-09 and both losses were by one score. During that decade, A&M averaged 6.3 wins per year and never finished a season in the Top 25 rankings.

The current Aggies have national title aspirations.

“Very excited about our football team coming up,” coach Jimbo Fisher said. “I feel like we have a very good team. We’re making a lot of good progress with the culture of our organization. We’re getting to where we need to be and starting to be able to compete for championships and compete at the highest levels, which is why we’re there and what we’re there for.”

The biggest obstacle in front of A&M’s title hopes is Alabama, the defending national champ and annual favorite for the crown. Alabama and A&M are both on the SEC West division and that’s the team Fisher has targeted to beat. A&M has lost eight in a row to the Crimson Tide and the last three haven’t been close, but Fisher is working on setting a new standard.

“How you do that is that Kent State is Alabama; Colorado is Alabama; New Mexico is Alabama,” he said. “You play at that standard all the time.”

… Notable: This is the first meeting between the former Big 12 rivals since a 35-34 CU win on Nov. 7, 2009, in Boulder. … CU is 4-1 against the Aggies at home. … A&M has 15 returning starters, including nine on defense. … Spiller was one of only three SEC running backs to top 1,000 yards (1,036) last season. … Calzada, competing for the starting job at quarterback, didn’t have any stats in 2020, but was 12-for-24 for 133 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in 2019. … Last season, A&M ranked among the top three in the SEC in several defensive categories, including total yards allowed (317.3 yards per game), pass defense (225.3), run defense (92.0) and points allowed (21.7). … Senior kicker Seth Small made 11 of 13 field goals in 2020 and 29 of 36 over the past two years. … Senior Jahmir Johnson is expected to take over at right tackle after transferring from Tennessee, where he started at left tackle. … Green, Leal and Wydermyer have all received preseason first-team All-American recognition from various publications.

… Read full story here …

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CU partners with RevelXP to offer unique tailgating experience for Texas A&M game

Press Release from CUBuffs.com … The University of Colorado athletic department announced Friday a partnership with REVEL^XP, the leader in best-in-class fan engagement, to offer fans a turnkey tailgating experience when the Buffaloes host Texas A&M this fall at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.

The football game is set for Saturday, Sept. 11 with a 1:30 p.m. kick off, and it will be televised nationally by FOX Sports.

The partnership will provide fans with a unique opportunity to enjoy a custom tailgate that includes:

• Exclusive access to tailgate in a designated area adjacent to Empower Field;
• Tailgate packages that offer tents, chairs, tables, coolers, TV media packages, parking passes, local catering options and beverage services that will accommodate groups as small as five guests and up to 60;
• Full-service from REVEL^XP, including set-up and clean-up, so fans can enjoy the full game day experience.

REVEL^XP is focused on working with college athletic departments and professional teams to maximize fan engagement, identify new revenue streams and successfully welcome back fans in today’s post-pandemic environment. The company’s services span design and custom-builds, seating solutions, equipment needs, ticketing services, turnkey tailgates, event staffing and more.

REVEL^XP is a part of Teall Sports & Entertainment, a collection of extraordinary sports brands committed to dramatically improving the fan experience and growing the next generation of fans.

For more information, call (720) 704-5740 or visit https://tailgateguys.com/colorado_tamu.

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July 22nd 

… CU in a few minutes … 

New CU commit Simeon Harris: “I took away that we’re going to compete”

From the Daily Camera … When the opportunity to attend a football camp at Colorado came up, Simeon Harris knew he couldn’t pass it up.

It led to him choosing a different path for his future.

A cornerback from Benicia (Calif.) High School, Harris originally committed to Fresno State in February, but attended a camp at CU last month, got a scholarship offer at the camp and chose Wednesday to commit to the Buffs.

“It’s always been a dream to go to a Power 5 school and compete at that level,” Harris said. “Going to that camp and seeing the campus and seeing all the opportunities they have (was great).”

Harris said he and CU cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin had been in contact for a while and that going to the camp was pivotal.

“We built a good relationship,” Harris said. “After going to the camp and being with him in person and being coached by him was really great and really made me excited. That played a big part in my decision.

“My film is good, but they wanted to see me and I actually wanted to see them and be coached by him. I learned a new press technique in man coverage and a lot of things I never heard before because all people coach differently. I took away that we’re going to compete. That’s the big thing I took away from it.”

… Continue reading story here …

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July 21st 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Jeremy Bloom introduces a program to help walk-on collegiate athletes

From the Daily Camera … Former Colorado football player and Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom has introduced a program to help walk-on collegiate athletes.

On Wednesday, Integrate, led by Bloom, who is the CEO and co-founder, announced its “College Game Changers” sponsorship, which is “aimed at supporting walk-on student athletes who do not have access to traditional athletic scholarships or sponsorships,” according to a press release.

The program was created following the Supreme Court ruling that the NCAA’s restrictions on education-related benefits for college athletes was a violation of antitrust law. In response, NCAA voted this summer to allow student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL), effective July 1.

Over the next few years, Integrate will invest millions of dollars to support athletes “who exhibit qualities of performance, innovation, happiness, trust and radical candor.”

… “As a longtime advocate against the exploitative practices of the NCAA and CEO of a marketing technology company for the past decade, I am acutely aware that denying college athletes the right to their name, image, and likeness in today’s global world of social media and digital advertising is out of touch and archaic,” Bloom said in a press release. “I’m excited that college athletes will now have the opportunity to reap the rewards of their hard work, and I’m doubly excited that my company, Integrate, will be supporting a diverse group of underserved college athletes in this new world.”

… Continue reading story here …

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CU player attendees at Pac-12 media day? Nate Landman and Dimitri Stanley

From the Pac-12 … The 2021 Pac-12 Football season gets going on Tuesday, July 27 with the league’s kickoff event, Pac-12 Football Media Day, presented by 76®, live from the W Hollywood Hotel on Pac-12 Networks Live. All 12 head coaches and two student-athletes from each Pac-12 team are set to take part, with the Pac-12 announcing today all 24 student-athletes headed to Hollywood. Coverage of the day-long event will be available across Pac-12 Networks, Pac-12 Insider, Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app.

The day-long event will begin with opening remarks from Commissioner George Kliavkoff at 8 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. MT on Tuesday, July 27, followed by a media availability with Commissioner Kliavkoff, Senior Associate Commissioner of Football Operations Merton Hanks and Oregon Athletic Director and Chair of the Pac-12 Athletics Directors Committee Rob Mullens. All 12 head coaches and 24 student-athletes will then begin a circuit of availability beginning at 8:50 a.m. PT / 9:50 a.m. MT, with each head coach press conference available via Pac-12 Insider, Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app.

Specific timing and details for Pac-12 Networks’ coverage will be available at Pac-12.com.

A complete list of all 36 head coaches and student-athletes attending and/or participating in this year’s Football Media Day can also be found below:

2021 Pac-12 Football Media Day – Attendees & Participants 

Pac-12 Football Media Day this year will also see all 12 athletics directors present at the event, as well as other representatives from the Pac-12 staff, including Vice President of Officiating David Coleman.

Follow Pac-12 football this season with the Pac-12 Now App. Download the Pac-12 Now App and set alerts for Pac-12 football to make sure you never miss a moment of the action. Pac-12 Now is available in your app store for iOS, Android and Apple TV.

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CU safety preview: Can Chris Miller stay healthy long enough to become a star?

From the Daily Camera … Throughout his time as the strength and conditioning coordinator at Stanford, Shannon Turley gained a reputation for his ability to keep players healthy.

That’s a big reason why Colorado hired Turley this offseason to lead its strength and conditioning program.

CU is hoping Turley can make a big difference in the program and one of the main benefactors this season could be safety Chris Miller.

“He’s doing great. He’s having a great summer,” defensive coordinator Chris Wilson said of the oft-injured Miller.

Miller is an X-factor for the Buffs because he’s one of their most talented players when healthy, but hasn’t been healthy very often.

This will be Miller’s fifth season in the CU program, but he’s played just 12 games because of various injuries. After playing the first four games of 2019, Miller has missed 12 of CU’s last 14 games and was limited to 57 snaps in 2020.

2021 outlook: This is arguably the most unsettled group on defense, but there is good talent in the room. Lewis went into last year just hoping to get some playing time but wound up as one of the more reliable safeties in the Pac-12. He led CU with eight pass breakups and will be a team leader going into this year. Perry is loaded with potential and excelled in a specialized role in 2019. Still relatively new to safety, Perry hopes to be better this year and should compete for a starting role. If healthy, Miller – who can play cornerback or Star, as well – could be one of the better players on defense. Robinson, a former safety who switched to linebacker, is back at safety and had a good spring, feeling more at home at his natural spot. He provides solid depth. Oliver is a big safety with speed. He needs some time to learn the defense and settle in but has the potential to be a key player on this defense. Appleton has played well in spot time. Pittman and Woods are freshmen who, barring injuries, may not see the field much this year, but have the tools to fill in if needed.

… Read full story here …

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July 20th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Bowl executives willing to tear up contracts in order to get to 12-team playoff sooner

From 247 Sports … Expansion of the College Football seems to be a foregone conclusion, but the reality is the business of the sport is much more complicated than simply voting on a proposal.

One of the biggest hurdles the CFP faces as it continues its three-month feasibility study on whether to expand from four to 12 teams is the bowl system itself. How will it incorporate bowl games — and which games — and where will the six bowl games involved in the current rotation of semifinal games fit into the puzzle?

The positive answer for the CFP: most bowl executives are ready and willing to talk, even if it means ripping up contracts that do not expire until January 2026.

“We want what’s best for college football and if the CFP decides this is the best way to go with the expansion, then we’re hopeful and looking forward to hopefully being a part of it,” said Gary Stokan, CEO of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

Executives at three of the six bowls are prepared to discuss their current contracts with the CFP and are open to the possibility of tossing the deals for an expanded playoff beginning as soon as the 2023 season. 247Sports contacted all six bowls involved in the current playoff system — the Peach Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl , the Playstation Fiesta Bowl and the Rose Bowl. Representatives with the Cotton, Fiesta and Rose bowls did not make their executives available to 247Sports.

A CFP working group recommended a 12-team system with quarterfinal and semifinal games — six total — played at bowl sites. It’s believed the six bowls currently involved in the system will continue to be utilized in an expanded field, though that is not a guarantee.

“We made up our mind quickly it didn’t serve any purpose to be an impediment in this process,” said Jeff Hundley, CEO of the Sugar Bowl. “We want to be a help to the commissioners as they decide what the postseason is going to look like in the future. All things considered, we like the 12-team, proposed playoff and we feel cautiously optimistic about our potential position.”

There is concern about the Rose Bowl and how it fits into the picture. The bowl has long been perceived as a stubborn organization unwilling to shift its date — Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. — because of its annual Tournament of Roses parade and the beautiful afternoon sunset across the San Gabriel Mountains that have become synonymous with football on New Year’s Day over the last 115 years.

… Continue reading story here …

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July 19th

… CU in a few minutes …

CU cornerbacks: A liability or a strength? 

From the Daily Camera … Early in the 2020 season, opposing quarterbacks picked on Colorado cornerback Christian Gonzalez because he was a freshman.

There were moments throughout the year in which he looked like a freshman, too, but by the end of the season, there were enough positives about Gonzalez to signal that his future is bright — and that starts next season.

“I believe he’s on the verge of having a breakout year,” defensive coordinator Chris Wilson said.

CU goes into this next season short on experience, but there is plenty of talent and potential among the group, including both of last year’s starters — Gonzalez and junior Mekhi Blackmon — returning.

Blackmon is a fifth-year junior who has battled some injuries in his career but had a stellar season in 2020. Starting all six games, Blackmon had six pass breakups and was rated among the best coverage corners in the Pac-12.

Health has always been the question with Blackmon, who was limited to four games in 2019 because of a shoulder injury. He missed a large chunk of spring practices this year because of injuries.

When healthy, however, Blackmon has the ability to play corner and nickel. He has 11 career starts and is entering his fourth year in the program after transferring from the College of San Mateo in 2018.

Gonzalez has star potential, and he flashed it at times during his true freshman year. He did get picked on at times, but finished strong, including five tackles and three pass breakups in the Alamo Bowl against Texas.

2021 outlook: This is arguably the most underrated position group for the Buffs this season, because of the fact that there isn’t a ton of experience. If healthy, however, Blackmon and Gonzalez form one of the better cornerback duos in the Pac-12. Blackmon has been solid at nickel in the past but proved last year he can be a very good cornerback, as well. Gonzalez might be the most talented corner at CU since Isaiah Oliver in 2017. Bethel had some good moments in limited playing time last year, and Striker is a big corner with the potential to step in and play well when his number is called. The Buffs also like the trio of freshmen. Of the three, Taylor might be the readiest to play because he enrolled early and got a jump on learning the defense this spring.

… Continue reading story here …

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Nate Landman named to Chuck Bednarik Award Watch list (outstanding defensive player)

From CUBuffs.com … Senior Nate Landman has been named one of 90 players on the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award powered by Mammoth Tech, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday morning.

Landman returns for his fifth season after suffering a Achilles injury in the regular season finale against Utah in 2020.  All college athletes were granted an extra season of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A second-team All-American and unanimous first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2020, Landman averaged 12.3 tackles per game with 11 total tackles for loss including five sacks.  

In his career, he has played in 40 career games with 29 career starts. His 338 career tackles ranks 10th in CU history and he has 35 tackles for loss including 11 sacks, another 27 tackles for no gain, 13 pass break-ups, 11 quarterback hurries, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 46 third down stops, which include a CU record eight fourth-down stops. 

Prior to 2020, he was just the sixth player to record 250-plus tackles over two seasons in 2018-19 (123 in 2018, 137 in 2019), and he became just the third player in CU history to average 10.0-plus tackles per game for three straight seasons, joining Barry Remington (1984-86) and Greg Biekert (1990-92). 

Monday marks first first of two weeks of releases for preseason awards that are part of the National College Football Award Association.

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July 18th

… CU in a few minutes … 

CU inside linebackers: Buffs are loaded with “thermostats”

From the Daily Camera … Colorado defensive coordinator Chris Wilson is fond of a particular phrase when describing players on a football team.

“We use the term, ‘thermometers and thermostats,’” Wilson said. “Obviously, a thermometer tells you the temperature of a room. A thermostat dictates the temperature of the room.”

Going into next this season, Wilson believes the Buffaloes are loaded with thermostats in the inside linebacker room.

“We’ve got some proven guys there,” Wilson said. “We’ve also got some new guys which is really a good thing. I like the room from that standpoint.”

Headlining the inside linebackers is senior Nate Landman – CU’s ultimate thermostat – who was having an All-American-type of season in 2020 before rupturing an Achilles’ tendon in the first half of the regular season finale against Utah.

A two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection, Landman missed spring practices and has spent the entire offseason rehabilitating his injury, but the Buffs hope to have him ready to go by camp.

… 2021 outlook: One of the strongest position groups on the team this season, the Buffs are talented, experienced and deep. Landman is one of the best inside linebackers in the country when healthy. He is coming back from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon but expects to be the leader of this group. Van Diest is going into his fifth season at CU and he’s played in 24 games, with seven starts. After an exceptional spring, he’s looking to nail down a consistent job as a starter. Barnes played this spring at inside linebacker but was a safety for much of his time at Oklahoma. Defensive coordinator Chris Wilson said Barnes could play in a variety of positions. “That’s the beauty of having guys with a lot of flexibility,” Wilson said. “You can not only attack schemes, you can also change your personnel and put guys in different areas where you can create some matchups.” Lamb brings solid depth and experience and he’ll battle for a starting spot, as well. Perry and Ham don’t have a lot of game experience with the Buffs, but both have been in the program for a while and expect to be more equipped to help when called upon. Alvin Williams, Mister Williams and Zephaniah Maea are all young players still growing in the system. They’re talented, but might be a year away from contributing.

… Continue reading story here …

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July 16th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Breakout year for Carson Wells? “He had a really good spring”

From the Daily Camera … Although Colorado played just six football games in 2020, outside linebacker Carson Wells did things that hadn’t been done in 30 years by a Buffalo.

Wells led the country in tackles for loss per game, at 2.67. He had at least three in four consecutive games, becoming the first CU player to do that since College Football Hall of Famer Alfred Williams in 1990. Then, Wells capped his year with 2.5 tackles for loss in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Despite the dominance, Wells didn’t collect many postseason honors – he was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention – but his team recognizes his value.

“Obviously, you start this deal off with Carson Wells, a guy who had a really great season in an abbreviated year,” defensive coordinator Chris Wilson said. “Really good scheme fit for us.”

Wells suits the Buffs’ scheme because he knows the playbook and puts in the work to be ready on game days. Following a dominant 2020, Wells hasn’t backed off.

“He’s only improved this offseason, especially in the weight room,” Wilson said. “He had a really good spring, so I really believe just that his continued growth and the way he works and how important it is to him, he puts us in a great position to play well at that position.

Veterans Jamar Montgomery and Guy Thomas, both returning juniors, missed all or part of spring, but continue to develop as they look to gain more playing time. Both were productive in the minimal snaps they got in 2020.

2021 outlook: Wells was sensational last season, racking up 16 tackles for loss in only six games. One of the better edge rushers in the Pac-12, he’ll lead this group and get the bulk of the snaps. CU often uses just one true outside linebacker at a time, and it will typically be Wells on the field. However, CU likes the development of Montgomery and Thomas and they could see their playing time increase this year. Gustav continues to get better and might be tough to keep off the field, as well. Grant, Magalei and Midgett are all young players who need some time to develop and their time could be coming in the future. In addition, the Buffs could use Arkansas transfer Blayne Toll – listed as a defensive end – in an outside backer role at times. Oklahoma transfer Robert Barnes is slated for inside linebacker, but he could move around and play some outside linebacker, as well.

… Continue reading story here …

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CU Defensive line the weakest link? – “Obviously, we’ve got a lot of work ahead”

From the Daily Camera … In front of every good defense is a stout defensive line.

Whether or not the Colorado Buffaloes will be strong up front this year remains to be seen, but defensive coordinator/line coach Chris Wilson likes the path the group is on this summer.

“Obviously, we’ve got a lot of work ahead,” Wilson said. “That always sounds cliché, but really, there’s no end in this deal. You’re always trying to find ways to become a better teacher, a better communicator, to try to make sure that you’ve got a great progression for your guys, at every position, where these guys can come in and learn and learn quickly. And the biggest challenge nowadays is really identifying how your student-athletes learn and then tailor it towards their learning style.”

The Buffs’ line is a group that must replace its best player – Mustafa Johnson, who declared for the NFL Draft – but has good, young talent.

“I know they’re preparing well,” Wilson said. “Ready is really difficult to measure. I just stick to the preparation part and the things that we can measure on a day-to-day basis. When we get on the scales, we just say, ‘Hey, this is where we’re at right now. Based off of where we’re at right now, on the scale, these guys are making significant gains.”

2021 outlook: Despite losing Johnson, the Buffs believe they are building a solid and deep unit on the defensive line. “It’s creating competition across the board,” defensive coordinator Chris Wilson said. “We’re creating a little bit more continuity up front.” Wilson has coached in 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, but said the Buffs will be multiple up front, adding that coaches “become custom tailors” to find ways to get the best players on the field. Lang is the top returner, while Jordan and Sami have started games at tackle. Na’im Rodman had a great spring and should have a key role. There will be plenty of competition for playing time among the rest of the group, with Doss and Jackson being veterans ready to take a jump forward.

… Read full story here …

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July 15th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Pac-12 loan program has only one taker: Colorado

From Yahoo.com … The Pac-12 Conference’s COVID loan program—once discussed as a nearly $1 billion facility for all 12 members to offset pandemic shortfalls—will end up as a much smaller endeavor, with just one school taking part, according to multiple people familiar with the plan.

The University of Colorado is the only Pac-12 athletic department that will be borrowing money through the conference, said the people, who were granted anonymity because the details are private. The other 11 programs were able to fulfill their borrowing needs (if necessary) through other means.

Colorado is borrowing roughly $18 million, its entire 2021 shortfall, to be paid back in the next seven or eight years through its annual conference distributions. The school declined to comment on interest rate, beyond it being in line with current market rates.

“I feel really good about how we finished fiscally,” Colorado AD Rick George told reporters last week about the department’s $18 million deficit. “When you have no ticket revenue–and had $23 million the year before–and you have about a 50-60% conference distribution, those two numbers alone put us at about a $40-45 million revenue reduction. To be able to operate the way we did, I feel really good about it.”

A representative for the Pac-12 didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last summer, as the college football season looked increasingly less likely and athletic departments like Oregon and Washington were bracing for revenue shortfalls in the $75 million range, the Pac-12 began discussing a conference-wide program to help its schools financially. Talks at one point focused on a credit facility of about $1 billion, $83 million per member, paid back over 10 years at a rate of 3.75%.

In the past six months, however, circumstances changed. The Pac-12 canceled the fall football season in August, but eventually overturned that decision and played a shorter season, which helped preserve millions from TV contracts. The NCAA men’s basketball tournament was also held in its entirety, preserving another important revenue stream. Many schools also saw increases in donations to help cover some of the shortfall.

… Continue reading story here …

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CU inside linebackers coach Mark Smith gets a shout out for Texas recruiting prowess

… Related … Mark Smith’s official CU bio …

From The Athletic … Recruiting in Texas is just different. Everyone in the state will make sure that’s known. (Texas isn’t recognized for its modesty, after all.)

Texas’ 12 FBS programs are the most of any state. Nearly every Division I college football program recruits Texas in some form, but each region is different. What works in Houston might not work in West Texas. There are tens of thousands of players across more than 1,400 high schools, so college programs must be strategic. Every year, Texas is at or near the top of the list in producing college and NFL players.

The state is also unique for its power structure. The Texas High School Football Coaches Association is an influential and important group in Texas recruiting that has taken measures to make sure high school coaches remain the point of contact in players’ recruitments.

The state has also seen all kinds of change in recent years. More top high school players are leaving. Many of its Power 5 programs are in a downswing, and the University of Texas has yet another new head coach. Texas A&M’s move to the SEC forever changed the state’s recruiting landscape.

So what is recruiting in Texas really like? The Athletic spoke with a diverse group of 20 high school coaches spanning multiple regions of the state: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, East Texas, Central Texas, South Texas and West Texas.

Which out-of-state schools do the best job of recruiting your players or the state of Texas?

Coach 18: The service academies. They don’t have restrictions other schools have. They can throw out offers like crazy and don’t have a limit on their class. It allows them to be effective in Texas. They get a lot of guys that should go FCS or slip through the cracks. But they can go there and don’t pay for school. Emmett Jones at Kansas does a great job. (Inside linebackers coach) Mark Smith at Colorado has been killing it. He’s gotten so many dang commits from DFW because he’s a former Texas high school coach.

… Read full story here …

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July 14th

… CU in a few minutes …

Plati-Tudes: 1971 Game Five – Buffs take down Iowa State

From CUBuffs.com … Plati-‘Tudes No. 140 … The fifth installment in a 12-game series in marking the 50th anniversary of CU’s 1971 season, when the Buffaloes finished 10-2, won the Bluebonnet Bowl to finish third in the nation behind Nebraska and Oklahoma, the only teams that bested CU that fall.  The Buffs opened 4-0 with wins over No. 9 LSU and No. 6 Ohio State on the road and home victories over Wyoming and Kansas State.  For game five, CU hit the road again with a trip to Iowa State.

1971 Game 5: Colorado 24, Iowa State 14 

… Continue reading story here …

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CU Special Teams Looking to Improve: 54th in ST efficiency in 2020

From the Daily Camera … While much of the focus in football is centered on the offense and defense, Colorado head coach Karl Dorrell has always believed in the value of having a strong special teams unit.

During his first year with the Buffaloes, Dorrell had a fairly reliable kicking game, but the Buffs’ head coach is hoping it’s even better this year.

In 2020, the Buffs ranked 54th nationally in special teams efficiency, per ESPN. Within the Pac-12, the Buffs were seventh in punting average (41.34) and tied for last in field goal percentage (60.0%, 6-for-10) – although two of those misses came from James Stefanou, who was hobbled in the opener and then medically retired. The kicking game certainly has room for growth.

Josh Watts might be secure in his job at punter, but the placekickers are not. There should be plenty of competition this fall. Dorrell, in fact, said in spring he was happy with the daily battles between incumbent starter Evan Price and Mac Willis, last year’s kickoff specialist.

2021 outlook: Josh Watts, an Australian native, got better as the 2020 season went along and expects to be better in his second season of American football. At place kicker, Evan Price and Cole Becker are both ready to compete. Price has been a reliable kicker for the Buffs, but has never displayed long-range ability. Becker was one of the nation’s top 2021 recruits and has a big leg. Mac Willis will hope to handle kickoff duties again. James Townsend is looking to keep his spot as the long snapper.

… Continue reading story here …

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Offensive line: Health and continuity will be the keys to success

From the Daily Camera … During the past year, the Colorado football team hasn’t had much continuity on the offensive line.

There were multiple injuries in the 2020 season that kept the lineup going through constant change. Then, there were injuries in the spring that kept some key players from getting on the field.

If there’s a silver lining, however, it’s that several linemen have gained valuable game or practice experience.

“It’s given us an opportunity to play people at different positions, so that’s been the positive,” offensive line coach Mitch Rodrigue said in the spring.

Leading up to fall camp, which starts Aug. 5, BuffZone.com is previewing each position group for the Buffs. In this installment, we look at the offensive line.

Despite the lack of continuity, the Buffs will go into fall camp feeling fairly confident about their group up front — as long as the key players can stay healthy.

2021 outlook: There are some question marks on the line, but this should be a solid group. Most of the unit returns from 2020, when CU averaged a solid 4.62 yards per rushing attempt and gave up just seven sacks (1.17 per game, second in the Pac-12). If healthy, Fillip is expected to start at left tackle, Kutsch at left guard and Pursell at center. Roddick missed spring, but will fight to keep his starting job at right guard. He will have tough competition, including from Fenske, Johnson and Ray, who played well in limited snaps last year. Wray might be the favorite to play right tackle, but Wiley, who held that spot for much of spring, will compete, as well.

… Read full story here …

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July 13th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

US News & World Report: Boulder Best Place in America to Live (again)

Related … Full story from US News & World Report …

From bouldercolorado.gov … Boulder has been named the No. 1 place in America to call home for the second year in a row by US News & World Report in its newly released list of Best Places to Live.

In explaining Boulder’s ranking at the top of its list, the report highlighted Boulder’s natural beauty and abundance of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including parks, trails and open space. It also noted Boulder’s great schools, low crime and thriving economy.

The report also named Boulder the No. 2 in the nation for Best Places to Live for Quality of Life and No. 53 for Best Places to Retire. Boulder has received a variety of community honors over the years, including being named the Happiest City in America by National Geographic.

The US News & World Report 2021-2022 Best Places to Live list was determined based on a methodology that factored in job market, housing affordability, quality of life, desirability and net migration ratings. They were determined in part using a public survey of thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. to find out what qualities they consider important in a place to live. The methodology also factors in census and other federal data, as well as the U.S. News rankings of the Best High Schools and Best Hospitals.

Three other Colorado cities made the list of Best Places to Live, including Colorado Springs (No. 6), Denver (No. 14) and Fort Collins (No. 17).

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Ten Things You Need to Know About Chip

From The Coloradoan … Chip, CU’s buffalo character mascot, has appeared at games and university events since the 1980s. He dances, jokes and even brings along his family members to join the fun. Here are 10 fun facts about Chip the Buffalo, the life of every CU campus party.

1. Chip can be found at CU football, basketball and volleyball games, as well as at other community, campus and charity events.
2. To ensure that everyone who plays Chip performs similarly, the students attend a camp over the summer to train. While there, they do drills to practice walking, taking big steps and turning their heads.
3. Chip is a part of the University of Colorado Spirit Program, which also includes the dance team and cheer team.
4. In a normal year, Chip makes anywhere from 300 to 400 appearances.
5. All of the students who perform as Chip must maintain anonymity to protect the character.
6. Six to eight students per year split the duties as Chip.
7. The head of the Chip costume is a hockey helmet with foam and steel added to create Chip’s likeness. It weighs somewhere between 7 and 8 pounds.
8. Chip once conducted an orchestra at Macky Auditorium.
9. Children who join the Chip Kid’s Club can get a special personalized note on their birthdays from the mascot himself.
10. Chip has won three first-place Universal Cheerleaders Association National Championships. He took home back-to-back wins in 2009 and 2010, and he most recently won in 2020.

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July 11th 

… CU in a few minutes …

Will This be the Year of the Tight End at CU? “We’ve got to keep Brady healthy”

From the Daily Camera … Figuring out the quarterback battle will be a top priority for the Colorado Buffaloes next month.

Getting the ball to the talented stable of running backs and receivers will be important if the Buffs want to put points on the board.

In talking about the keys to improving on offense, however, coordinator Darrin Chiaverini pointed at junior tight end Brady Russell.

“We’ve got to keep Brady healthy,” Chiaverini said. “That’s gonna be big for us. He’s got to play at a high level for us this year. It’s hard when you don’t have tight ends.”

Chiaverini’s comment was not meant to say Russell is the only talented tight end on the roster. Russell is, however, by far the most experienced and developed tight end at CU, and the Buffs missed him last year when he was out of the lineup.

CU’s best offensive performance in 2020 came in a 48-42 win against UCLA in the opener. The Buffs had a season-high in points and yards (535) that night and Russell played a key role, catching five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.

… Continue reading story here …

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July 10th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Profile: Buffs’ Hall-of-Famer Mickey Pruitt 

… Related … September 14, 1985 … Colorado 21, Oregon 17 … “I Think That Could be the Turning Point For Our Program” … From the CU at the Game Archives

From the Daily Camera … As a high school star in Chicago, Mickey Pruitt had several schools recruiting him for football and he was planning to become a Miami Hurricane before he paid a visit to Boulder and the University of Colorado.

“I chose Colorado just because of the things that (head coach) Bill McCartney was saying and wanting to build the program, and he got started with us,” Pruitt said.

It proved to be a great choice for Pruitt, who was a three-time All-Big Eight player for the Buffaloes and helped spark a turnaround of the program. Pruitt is one of nine members of the CU Athletic Hall of Fame 2021 class. The class will be inducted during a ceremony the first week of November. This summer, BuffZone.com is profiling each member of the class.

“It’s very exciting,” said Pruitt, 56, who is currently the deputy executive director for sports administration for Chicago Public Schools. “It’s a dream come true, a blessing that I did make the Hall of Fame at the University of Colorado.”

Pruitt, who played safety, was just the third football player in CU history to earn first-team all-conference honors three times (1985-87), and only four have done it since. Pruitt had back-to-back, 100-tackle seasons and finished with 332 for his career — a record at the time for a CU defensive back (he’s currently second).

One of the most memorable plays in Pruitt’s career came on Sept. 14, 1985, when the Buffs led Oregon, 21-17, in the closing moments at Folsom Field. Oregon had fourth-and-goal at the 3 with 22 seconds to go, and Pruitt sacked Ducks quarterback Chris Miller to end the game. That win helped spark a 7-5 season, which ended a string of six consecutive losing campaigns.

… Continue reading story here …

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The Athletic posts its in-depth preview of CU football, 2021 

From The Athletic … To grasp how little expectations there were for Colorado in 2020, just know the only reason the Buffaloes weren’t picked to finish last in the Pac-12 South was that the outlook for what eventually was Kevin Sumlin’s doomed final season at Arizona was even more bleak.

Even then, it was still a close call in the conference’s preseason polls. There were good reasons for skepticism about Colorado, too. Mel Tucker essentially left the program in the middle of the night in February 2020. Karl Dorrell, the Buffaloes’ third coach in three years, was hired later that month but was viewed as an underwhelming choice. Dorrell’s transition was made immensely difficult when the COVID-19 pandemic hit a few weeks later, which eliminated spring practice and any real chance he had of building a connection with his team and his staff face-to-face.

The fact that Colorado started 4-0, was in contention for the Pac-12 South title until the final week of the regular season and played in the Alamo Bowl despite those circumstances qualifies as a resounding success. For all the goodwill built through the four games, the program had a bitter taste in its mouth from the final two games of the season.

While still in contention for the division title, Colorado lost by 17 points at home to Utah. Then in the Alamo Bowl, the Buffaloes lost 55-23 to Texas, which played its backup quarterback for most of the second half.

Two things were constant in those losses: an uneven passing attack and porous defensive play. In 2021, Colorado will have a new quarterback and a new defensive coordinator. How those two perform will go a long way in determining whether the Buffaloes can build off the glimpses they demonstrated in 2020 while playing in what should be a  fiercely competitive Pac-12 South.

What others are saying about Colorado

“(Noyer) was a good player,” said a Pac-12 defensive coordinator who faced CU in 2020. “I think losing him is gonna be tough on them. He was big and athletic. When he took off running, he could hurt you. In my opinion, he was not an NFL quarterback, but he was good enough as a passer to execute what they were having him do. Broussard is not overly big and not a 10-whatever 100-meter guy, but I liked him. He’s a high-quality back with great vision. He’s patient and finds the hole and can hit it once it’s there.”

“They’re very average athletically (on defense),” a Pac-12 offensive assistant added. “Probably below average athletically to be honest. They do have those two linebackers who make most of the plays. Those guys are good solid players, just very productive. Landman is pretty stiff, but he’s got a great nose for the ball and is tough, and I really think Wells is a hell of a player. He’s really strong and physical, and he runs pretty well.”

Final assessment

Colorado was one of the feel-good stories in college football in 2020 and far exceeded expectations. There’s promising talent, particularly at running back, wide receiver and linebacker, and the offensive line is experienced. But it will be increasingly difficult to replicate last season’s success with a difficult schedule. The Buffaloes avoided Oregon, Washington, Arizona State and USC last year. If the Buffaloes are going to surprise again, their defense will have to tackle better, especially against the run, and Lewis or Shrout will have to grab firm control of the starting job during the preseason, solidify the passing attack and bring more balance to the offense. All of that is easier said than done.

… Read full story here (subscription required, but worth it) …

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July 8th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Sophomore defensive lineman Austin Williams enters the Transfer Portal

Colorado now has two scholarships available for the fall season, as sophomore defensive lineman Austin Williams has posted a tweet indicating that he is in the Transfer Portal. Williams posted: “My recruitment is now 100% Back Open!!!”.

In 2019 … Williams played in all 12 games on defense as a back-up on the defensive line … Played in 190 defensive snaps with five tackles on the season … Had one tackle in the Arizona and Oregon games and then in the three of the final four games of the season at UCLA, Stanford and Washington. In 2020, Williams did not play in the opener against UCLA, but did play in the remaining five games … but did not record any defensive or special teams statistics.

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Notes from Rick George press conference (budget deficit; facilities plan; Folsom concerts)

From the Daily Camera …

Budget deficit

With the 2021 fiscal year ending on June 30, George said CU is still finalizing the budget, but the athletic department will finish with about a $17-18 million deficit. George had previously estimated that deficit to be around $20 million. CU will fund that deficit over the next “seven or eight years,” George said, through the Pac-12 distribution and a Pac-12 loan program.

Given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — no ticket revenue, a major reduction in Pac-12 distribution, etc. — George said, “I feel really good about how we finished fiscally.”

Looking ahead to this fall, CU has announced it will allow full capacity at Folsom Field and the CU Events Center. George said the football season ticket renewal rate — from those who had season tickets in 2019 — is at about 77%. CU was at 86% two years ago, and George said he likes where the Buffs sit at this point.

“I feel really good about where we are with that, and I think it’s going to continue to get better,” he said.

Facilities plan

There are a number of facilities projects that CU hopes to complete in the future, but currently there are no immediate plans for those. Upgrading the west side of Folsom Field, the sound system in the stadium and flooring in different areas of Folsom are high on the list. George would also like to build an indoor tennis facility and a soccer/lacrosse stadium at some point.

“I think all of those things are on the horizon,” he said. “We’ll come up with a plan in probably the next six to nine months on what that will look like. We’ve got to think big if we’re going to do big things and we’re gonna think big because there’s a lot ahead of us. I’m hopeful that in the next five or six years we can accomplish a lot of those things to really make this department and this university elite in a lot of ways.”

Notable

Last year, due to COVID-19, CU’s head coaches all took pay cuts to help CU balance the budget. George said coaches will receive their full salaries this coming year. … George is pushing to have some concerts scheduled for May and June of 2022 to help boost the revenue for the 2022 fiscal year. … Asked if Ralphie VI will be ready to run when the Buffs open the football season on Sept. 3 against Northern Colorado, George laughed and said, “Well, I can’t talk about Ralphie too much. She’s a secret.”

… Read full story here …

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CU adds future dates with Wyoming; SMU, North Texas and Oklahoma State

Press release from CUBuffs.com … The University of Colorado has added four football opponents – for a total of seven games – to its future football schedules, athletic director Rick George announced Thursday.

        Wyoming fills a vacancy in 2025 that was created when a previously scheduled game against Missouri was moved to 2031, as the Tigers needed dates to rekindle their rivalry with Kansas.  The Cowboys will visit Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 20 that season, the final non-conference game after CU hosts Georgia Tech on Aug. 30 and travels to play the University of Houston on Sept. 6.  The schools have met just six times since 1947, when they were both members of the Mountain States Conference, and not since 2009; CU leads the series by a 24-2-1 count.

Next up is a home-and-home with Southern Methodist, as the Mustangs will visit Boulder on Aug. 31, 2030, with CU returning the game on Sept. 6, 2031 in Dallas.   The two schools, though just under 700 miles apart, will be meeting for the first time on the gridiron.  The former will be the 2030 season opener, with the latter the second week of the 2031 campaign, following Missouri visiting Folsom Field the previous Saturday.

Another home-and-home series with a state of Texas school follows, both season openers in the 2032 and 2033 seasons.  North Texas will play in Boulder on Sept. 4, 2032, with the Buffaloes returning the game on Sept. 3, 2033 in Denton, which is about 20 miles northwest of Dallas.  The two have met one previous time, when CU defeated the Mean Green, 52-21, in 2004 in Boulder.  CU is the latest Power 5 opponent UNT has scheduled into home-and-homes, as they have agreements with Baylor, Missouri and Texas Tech on the books.

The final two-game future series completed at this time is with longtime rival Oklahoma State from CU’s days in the Big Eight and Big 12.  The Buffaloes will play in Stillwater for the first time since 2009 when they visit on Sept. 13, 2036, with the Cowboys visiting Boulder for the first time since 2008 when they travel her on Sept. 12, 2037.  The two last met in the 2016 Alamo Bowl, with OSU coming away with a 38-8 victory; Colorado still leads the series, 26-20-1.

With the Buffaloes annually recruiting in Texas, George and head coach Karl Dorrell both felt it was important to have more of a presence in the state when it came to scheduling games.  School officials are exploring other future games in the state and region.  The Buffaloes already had trips to TCU (in 2023) and the aforementioned to Houston (in 2025) on their future gridiron schedules.

Season tickets for the 2021 season are currently on sale, as are tickets for the Sept. 11 Texas A&M game in Denver (the latter through Ticketmaster here).  Mini-plan packages are also on available, and single game tickets for the six home football games at Folsom Field are now available for purchase.  More information on purchasing football tickets can be found here.

CU also has a First Responders Ticket donation program available for Texas A&M where fans are encouraged to send local First Responders to the game for $25.  Link is here:  https://offer.fevo.com/military-appreciation-month-kvp9zdh-ffa3476?fevoUri=military-appreciation-month-kvp9zdh-ffa3476%2F.

CU’s future schedules are essentially now complete through 2031, with the exception of one game needed in both 2029 and 2031:

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CU single game tickets to home games (and Texas A&M game) now on sale 

Click here to purchase single game tickets for CU home games … with a link here to Ticketmaster, where you can purchase tickets for the Texas A&M game …

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July 7th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Buff receivers talented, but unproven: “It’s a young room”

From the Daily Camera … Between graduation, transfers or the NFL, the Colorado Buffaloes have lost a lot of talent at receiver in recent years.

Despite that, the Buffs continue to re-stock the position. Once again, the receivers are considered one of the most talented groups on the team, but this is a group with plenty to prove.

“I’m really excited about the potential,” offensive coordinator/receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini said. “They are young. I mean, I’m not gonna lie about that. It’s a young room.”

Of the 11 receivers on scholarship, seven are still technically freshmen, thanks in part to the NCAA not counting the 2020 season towards eligibility. All three walk-ons are freshmen, as well. There’s not a single senior in the group.

“The veteran guy is probably Dimitri Stanley, who’s played a significant amount of college football,” Chiaverini said. “Besides that, everybody else is really, really young, as far as their snaps in college football.”

Led by Stanley, a sophomore, and third-year freshman La’Vontae Shenault, it is a group that could be exciting to watch.

… Continue reading story here …

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July 6th

… CU in a few minutes … 

CU running back room full: “I think we have a lot of depth right now”

From the Daily Camera … In recent years, the Colorado football team has produced several talented individual running backs.

Rodney Stewart, Phillip Lindsay and Travon McMillian all hit the 1,000-yard mark at least once from 2010-18. Then, last year, Jarek Broussard was third in the country in rushing (149.2 yards per game) and earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors in a COVID-19 pandemic-shortened season.

It’s been a long time since the Buffaloes had multiple weapons in the backfield at once, however.

“I think last year it was a depth issue from the injury with Alex (Fontenot) and Ashaad (Clayton) being a young player,” Buffs offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini said. “I think we have a lot of depth right now.”

Leading up to fall camp, which starts Aug. 5, Buffzone.com is previewing each position group for the Buffs. In this installment, we look at the running backs.

Many of the best teams in CU history have featured multi-back attacks, such as Chris Brown and Bobby Purify in 2000-01.  Cortlen Johnson (in 2000) and Brian Calhoun (2001) were talented third options, as well.

In 1994, Rashaan Salaam won the Heisman Trophy, but his backup, Herchell Troutman, chipped in with 244 yards and eight touchdowns (CU also had a great running quarterback in Kordell Stewart).

As Chiaverini looks ahead to this season, he knows the Buffs can’t simply rely on Broussard as they did a year ago.

“I think it’s very important,” Chiaverini said. “Last year, I think Jarek did a heck of a job, but in a 12-game season, he probably would have got too many touches.”

… CU in a few minutes …

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