Colorado Daily

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Colorado Daily – Cincinnati Week

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October 26th – Game Day!

… CU in a few minutes …

Daily Camera: Five Bearcats to Watch 

From the Daily Camera … 5 Bearcats to Watch

LB Jared Bartlett: He’s been a force all season, leading the Bearcats in tackles (37), tackles for loss (seven) and sacks (4.5). A transfer from West Virginia, he had 134 tackles and 21 TFLs in 50 games with the Mountaineers.

DL Dontay Corleone: The top defender for the Bearcats, he was second-team All-Big 12 last year after posting 39 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Was named preseason first team All-Big 12 this year and has posted 21 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, three sacks and four hurries.

WR Xzavier Henderson: Leads the Bearcats in catches (42), receiving yards (541) and TD receptions (four). A year ago, he led Cincy in catches (58) and receiving yards (782), earning all-conference honorable mention. From 2020-22, he played at Florida, catching 73 passes for 835 yards and five touchdowns.

RB Corey Kiner: Ranks seventh in the Big 12 rushing yards per game at 85.4 (598 yards, 2 TD). He had a breakout season in 2023, rushing for 1,047 yards and five touchdowns. In his career, he has 2,331 yards and 14 touchdowns.

QB Brendan Sorsby: The Indiana transfer has completed 67.2% of his passes for 1,928 yards, 13 TD and only four INT, while adding 96 yards and six TD on the ground. Last year at Indiana, he completed 57.2% of his passes for 1,587 yards, 15 touchdowns and five INT. He also ran for 286 yards and four touchdowns.

When Cincinnati has the ball …

The addition of Indiana transfer Brendan Sorsby at quarterback has been huge for the Bearcats. He’s completed 67% of his passes for 1,928 yards, 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions, while rushing for six scores. “He’s definitely a mobile guy,” CU defensive end Arden Walker said. “We gotta make sure we do our job, to make sure we stop him.” Sorsby has a couple of key targets in receiver Xzavier Henderson and tight end Joe Royer. The Cincy run game can be dangerous with the duo of Corey Kiner and Evan Pryor. Kiner, who topped 1,000 yards last year, has 598 yards and two touchdowns this year, while Pryor has 307 yards and four touchdowns and averages 9.9 yards per carry. The whole operation on offense is guided by a veteran offensive line that has been together since the start of the 2023 season. “Offensively, they have a lot more balance with running and passing the football,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said. “I like what they’re doing. They’re not flashy and it’s not a sexy thing, but they get the job done.” CU looks to continue attacking on defense. The Buffs lead the Big 12 in sacks (21) and tackles for loss (49). “I do think that their defense is getting overlooked a little bit,” Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said. “They play hard, which is a sign of a well-coached team, and they have some really good athletes, and they’ve got it rolling there.”

… Continue reading story here …

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October 25th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Kordell Stewart: “They’re playing that balanced-style football which is what we did”

“They’re playing that balanced-style football which is what we did way back in the day…”

CU legend Kordell Stewart on Coach Prime & the Buffs 💯 pic.twitter.com/uJe2B9tB6o

— Carl Reed Jr. (@CoachReedLive) October 25, 2024

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Neill Woelk’s Keys to the Cincinnati game

From CUBuffs.com … Both the Buffs and Bearcats are among the surprise teams in the league — at least to those outside their immediate sphere. Colorado was picked 11th in the preseason media poll; Cincinnati was tabbed to finish 13th.

But both have played well and put themselves in contention for a league title.

The Buffs have reached this point with a potent offense that averages 31 points per game and a much-improved, opportunistic defense that is limiting opponents to less than 22 points per game.

Cincinnati has followed a similar trajectory with an offense that is averaging 30 points per game and a defense giving up less than 20.

But while Colorado has leaned heavily on its passing game for most of its production — CU is averaging 324 yards per game in the air and just 75 on the ground —  the Bearcats have utilized a balanced attack, averaging 279 yards per game in the air and 172 on the ground.

A victory would give the Buffs their most wins in a season since 2016 and also make them bowl eligible. Our Fast Five keys to reaching those goals:

1. Continue the improved rushing attack. Colorado ran for a season-high 148 yards in last weekend’s 34-7 win at Arizona. CU was particularly effective running the ball on first down, averaging 5.1 yards per carry in those situations, which kept the Buffs ahead of the sticks and put them in excellent second- and third-down situations.

They need to match that effort against the Bearcats. Cincinnati has been solid against the pass but has given up nearly 170 yards per game on the ground. If the Buffs can establish a run game early, it will prevent the Bearcats from devoting extra defenders to stopping the pass — and open the door for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his excellent fleet of wide receivers.

2. Limit big plays from the Bearcats’ offense. Cincinnati has been prolific in the explosive play area this year, with 14 plays of 40 yards or more and 20 of 30 or more.

While the Buffs haven’t given up an inordinate amount of big plays, they have been susceptible at critical moments. Kansas State hit CU with gains of 34 and 50 yards for the winning touchdown earlier this season and Baylor hit the Buffs with four scoring plays of 24 yards or longer.

Most dangerous for Cincinnati has been running back Evan Pryor, who has three touchdown runs of 50 yards or longer. Meanwhile, six different UC receivers have at least one catch for 38 yards or more.

The Buffs must make the Bearcats earn their yards and not give them huge chunks at once.

… Continue reading story here …

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October 24th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Freshman offensive tackle Jordan Seaton living up to expectations: “This is what we expected” 

From the Daily Camera … It’s not often that a college football team will protect its most valuable asset – the quarterback – with a freshman.

It’s not often that a team has a freshman as good as Jordan Seaton, however.

As Colorado (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) prepares to host Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1) at Folsom Field on Saturday (8:15 p.m., ESPN), Seaton is enjoying a successful rookie campaign.

A five-star recruit who was rated as the No. 1 offensive line recruit in the 2024 class coming out of high school, Seaton has been entrenched in the uber-important spot of left tackle since day one and has thrived.

“This is what we expected from Jordan,” head coach Deion Sanders said this week. “I don’t know why you were surprised. When some kids get that five-star beside their name, they don’t live up to expectations, but Jordan is a guy when you talk to him, you do your background on him, you talk to family members, people that knew him coming up and understood what makes him who he is, he’s kind of like a can’t-miss.”

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Seaton, who came to CU from IMG Academy in Florida, has not only started all seven games, but he’s played more snaps on offense (485) than anyone on the team. He’s played all but eight snaps, when the Buffs used backups late in already-decided games.

How rare is that? Since freshmen became eligible in 1972, only three true freshmen before Seaton had ever started games at tackle for the Buffs: Ryan Miller (six starts in 2007), Alex Lewis (one in 2011) and Frank Fillip (two in 2018). Lewis was the only one of the three to make a start at left tackle, but he played just 12 snaps before being replaced.

… Continue reading story here …

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Coach Prime: Jimmy Horn’s numbers down, but not his value

From the Daily Camera … It’s been a little while since Jimmy Horn Jr. had a Jimmy Horn Jr. type of game.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders certainly isn’t worried about the senior receiver, though.

Horn had a monster season opener, catching seven passes for 198 yards and a touchdown in CU’s 31-26 win against North Dakota State on Aug. 29. In six games since, he’s caught 21 passes for a combined 158 yards and no touchdowns. Last week at Arizona, he caught just two passes for nine yards.

Yet, as CU (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) gets set to host Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1) on Saturday at Folsom Field (8:15 p.m., ESPN), Sanders said Horn’s impact goes beyond the stats.

“Everybody, including (pro) scouts, know the value of Jimmy Horn,” Sanders said. “Just because he’s not receiving 10 balls at a time, that does not mean he’s not valuable.”

Sanders said a lot of shorter passes the Buffs are completing are “because Jimmy just cleaned out the house running the (deep route) right up the seam, to make it available for all the other guys. So Jimmy’s doing a lot of the grunt work.”

CU’s also had some plays that were designed for Horn but weren’t executed properly.

“I promise you, he’s in every game plan,” Sanders said. “We want to get him the ball.”

Sanders called Horn a “professional football player just playing at the collegiate level for this moment,” and added that he thinks Horn has explosive ability as a returner. The Buffs have started using Horn as a punt returner and he’s averaging 12.8 yards on five returns. He’s also averaging 33.0 yards on three kickoff returns.

… Continue reading story here …

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October 23rd

… CU in a few minutes … 

*Meet the Press: Edge rusher Arden Walker/RB Isaiah Augustave*

🦬 EDGE Arden Walker (@walker_arden) addressed the media for the first time this season.

The Legacy Buff spoke on playing for Coach Lew, Sapp and Dancy, fitting the run better, getting after the QB, and more. pic.twitter.com/GERiQAjJQW

— Mat Smith (@RealMatSmith) October 23, 2024

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Isaiah Augustave on what drives him as a football player:

“I got a little girl at home. I just want to be able to provide for her.” pic.twitter.com/AKkPOdM5PA

— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) October 23, 2024

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*John Snelson’s Arizona game video*

Colorado vs Arizona#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/1oLeuzpvGU

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) October 23, 2024

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October 22nd 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Coach Prime: “We could be in a much better place, but we control our own destiny, and we like that”

From CUBuffs.com … Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes know very well what’s at stake over the last five games of the season.

The Buffs, 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, currently sit in a four-way tie for third place in the conference standings, just one game behind co-leaders BYU and Iowa State. That puts Colorado squarely in contention for a Big 12 championship game berth and the College Football Playoff bid that goes to the winner.

Thus, every game has the feel of an elimination game, beginning with Saturday’s nationally televised 8:15 p.m. matchup with Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1) at Folsom Field (ESPN).

“We could be in a much better place, but we control our own destiny, and we like that,” Coach Prime said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “So we’re going to apply pressure not only to our own team, not only to the coaches, but we’re going to apply pressure to the opposing teams, because we want to win out, and we cannot do that without winning Saturday.”

The Bearcats, one of the surprising teams thus far in the Big 12, have been playing solid football. They boast a balanced offense (172 yards rushing, 279 yards passing per game) and a stingy defense that has been yielding less than 20 points per game. Their only losses came by one point, 28-27, to unbeaten Pitt and by three to Texas Tech in a wild 44-41 shootout.

“They’re playing really good football,” Coach Prime said. “If you match up statistically, we’re kind of right there with one another. Our defense may have the edge a little bit, but offensively, they have a lot more balance with running and passing the football. I like what they’re doing. They’re not flashy and it’s not a sexy thing, but they get the job done, and I love the way they attack.”

 But the Buffs have been crafting their own attack style in recent weeks on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, CU is averaging 31 points and almost 400 yards per game. The Buffs are second in the Big 12 in passing with 324 yards per game, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders leading the league in touchdown passes (19), completion percentage (72.2) and passing efficiency (161.6).

But the big story for the Buffs in recent weeks has been the emergence of an opportunistic, attacking defense. Colorado has recorded 16 sacks in the last three games and now leads the conference in total sacks for the season with 21. CU also leads the league in red zone defense with just 17 opponent scores in 25 opportunities and the Buffs have now forced 13 turnovers, which they’ve converted into 38 points.

… Continue reading story here …

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*Coach Prime Weekly Press Conference* 

At 1:28 mark – DL Keaton Wade … At 9:41 mark – OL Jordan Seaton … At 45:20 Coach Prime … 

… “Travis is better than last week. He’s feeling much better than last week. A little more pep in his step. He will certainly contribute more this week, because he’s healthier” …

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October 21st 

… CU in a few minutes … 

5430 Alliance announces partnership with Taco Bell

Press Release from 5430 Alliance … Boulder, CO (October 21, 2024) – 5430 Alliance, the official NIL Collective for CU Athletics, is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Taco Bell. This collaboration aims to engage the local community while supporting University of Colorado athletes in their quest for excellence both on and off the field.

As part of this unique partnership, Taco Bell will host a special event at participating locations on October 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Every customer visiting the drive-thru will receive a free Cantina Taco during this hour. CU Buffs Football athletes LaJohntay and Jaylen Wester will also attend as special guests at the Baseline Road location, bringing energy and fun to Buffs fans driving through. In addition, Taco Bell will donate $50 for each transaction made during this period to the Taco Bell Foundation, reinforcing its commitment to community engagement and educational initiatives.

5430 Alliance is excited to align with a brand as iconic and community-focused as Taco Bell. This partnership will directly benefit CU athletes as the 5430 Alliance continues its mission to empower student-athletes, retain top talent, and help CU compete at the highest levels of collegiate sports.

“This collaboration with Taco Bell represents a significant step in our efforts to engage with our community and enhance support for our athletes,” said Natalie Sharp, Executive Director of the 5430 Alliance. “We are grateful for Taco Bell’s support and are proud to partner with a brand that shares our values of excellence and community impact.”

The funds generated through this initiative will not only support the Taco Bell Foundation but will also directly benefit the student-athletes at CU, helping to ensure they have the resources and opportunities necessary to excel in their collegiate sports careers. By fostering this partnership, we are cultivating a culture of support that extends beyond the field, creating lasting benefits for both our athletes and the Boulder community.

For more information about the event or the 5430 Alliance, please visit www.5430alliance.com or contact us at natalie@5430alliance.com.

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Alejandro Mata named Big 12 Special Teams Player-of-the-Week

Press release from the Big 12 …

IRVING, Texas – The Baylor tandem of Sawyer Robertson (offensive) and Bryson Washington (newcomer), Kansas’ Cobee Bryant (defensive) and Colorado’s Alejandro Mata (special teams) received the Conference’s weekly honors after helping guide their teams to wins on Saturday.

Mata was perfect on all six of his kicks in Colorado’s win at Arizona, accounting for 10 points. The junior connected on field goal attempts from 28 and 34 yards and was a perfect four-for-four on extra points. Mata’s six makes helped Colorado win a second consecutive road game by 27 or more points for the first time since 1987 while aiding the Buffaloes to become the first Big 12 team to win back-to-back conference road games by 27 or more points since Oklahoma in 2015.

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CU moves up to No. 32 in CBS 1-134 rankings

From CBS Sports … If you look at the logos on the helmets or the names in the rankings it can be difficult to describe what we have in college football this season as “parity,” but with another changing of the guard at No. 1 there is definitely more uncertainty than usual regarding the very best teams in the sport.

As we prepare to enter Week 9  the latest update of the CBS Sports 134 — our comprehensive ranking of every FBS team as voted on by experts from CBS Sports and 247Sports — shows not only another change at No. 1 but a new team taking over that top spot. With Texas’ loss to Georgia on Saturday night in Austin comes a shake-up for the entire top five, and the result is Oregon taking over at No. 1 for the first time this season.

Our voters have reacted to eight weeks of college football and in doing so have collectively switched out the No. 1 team four times. And while no one should be surprised the likes of Georgia, Texas, Alabama or Oregon are competing for those top spots, the fact that all have made such a strong impression early in the year sets up well for the title race that’s in our future. When you add in Ohio State, Penn State, Miami and others — all teams that have been near the top of the rankings for weeks just not in the No. 1 spot — and what we have is a robust set of contenders for the sport’s top prizes in 2024. Again, it’s not parity as much as it is intrigue, since we know the stakes are higher and the field is larger in this new playoff era.

Biggest movers

• No. 35 Cincinnati (+19): The Bearcats haven’t logged enough top-end wins to really build a case for the top 25, but keep your eye on this group in the weeks ahead. Cincinnati is 5-2 on the year and the only losses have been to Pitt by one point and at Texas Tech by three points. Up next is a great test case for the team’s newly-acquired top 40 status, as they’ll be facing Colorado late Saturday night in Boulder.
• No. 32 Colorado (+10): Two times this season Colorado has gone on the road in conference play as an underdog and brought the hammer in a statement win. First it was a 48-21 win at UCF and on Saturday it was a 34-7 trouncing of Arizona that keeps the Buffs right in the thick of the Big 12 title race.
• No. 42 Texas Tech (-13): A four-game winning streak was snapped over the weekend by Baylor, and so now the Red Raiders team that had just moved up seven spots gets yanked back down outside the top 40. At 5-2 overall with a 3-1 conference record many of Texas Tech’s goals are still in play, but getting thumped 59-35 by the Bears (at home, no less) is going to require an adjustment in the rankings.
• No. 55 Utah (-17): A home loss to TCU has really put the nail in the coffin for Utah’s Big 12 title and College Football Playoff hopes. The Utes are not only 1-3 in conference play but look so offensively inept (prompting Sunday’s resignation of offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig) it seems unlikely even the strongest defensive performances could spark a miracle run in the back half of the season.

From the Big 12 … 

• No. 9 … Iowa State … down one spot from last week
• No. 10 … BYU … up one spot
• No. 16 … Kansas State … up three spots
• No. 31 … Nebraska … down eight spots
• No. 32 … Colorado … up ten spots
• No. 35 … Cincinnati … up 19 spots
• No. 36 … Arizona State … down nine spots
• No. 42 … Texas Tech … down 13 spots
• No. 46 … Georgia Tech (2025 opponent) … down six spots
• No. 54 … TCU … up 19 spots
• No. 55 … Utah … down 17 spots
• No. 61 … Arizona … down 16 spots
• No. 64 … Baylor … up 17 spots
• No. 65 … West Virginia … down seven spots
• No. 71 … UCF … down one spot
• No. 74 … Oklahoma State … down 12 spots
• No. 82 … Kansas … up four spots
• No. 87 … Colorado State … up three spots
• No. 93 … Houston … down 11 spots
• No. 128 … Wyoming (2025 opponent) … down four spots

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Coach Prime: “We want to make sure we get Peggy to a nice bowl; not just any bowl”

From the Daily Camera … For months, Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders has made it clear that his goal for the Buffaloes in 2024 is to get to a bowl game for super fan Peggy Coppom, who is a month away from her 100th birthday.

With five games to play, the Buffs are one win away and Coach Prime altered that goal just a bit on Saturday following a 34-7 beat down of Arizona.

“We still ain’t got Peggy straight yet,” Coach Prime said after his Buffs (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) secured a better record than last year’s 4-8. “Yeah, we gotta get Peggy straight. Now, we don’t just wanna get Peggy to a bowl. Peggy’s got great taste. Peggy’s sophisticated. She’s a lady, so we want to make sure we get her to a nice bowl; not just any bowl.”

The way the Buffs are playing lately, they’re on track for a nice bowl game.

In the last five games, the Buffs are 4-1, coming up just a play or two short against then-No. 18 Kansas State in a 31-28 loss at home on Oct. 12. (The Wildcats moved up to No. 16 in Sunday’s Associated Press poll.)

This is arguably the best CU team since 2016, when the Mike MacIntyre-coached Buffs went 10-2 in the regular season and won the Pac-12 South division. There are a lot of differences in how the 2016 and 2024 Buffs play, but one similarity in the two teams is that there was belief from the start, yet a tangible growth in confidence with each result.

“I think everybody’s been bought in since I got here in the summer,” said senior receiver Will Sheppard, a transfer from Vanderbilt. “There’s never really been any doubt in what we have. We know what we have as a team. We know where we can go and where we’re trying to go. I think it’s just these wins are just instilling more confidence every week.”

… Continue reading story here …

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Neill Woelk: Coach Prime Rebuilding Program is Working

From CUBuffs.com … Our weekly takeaways:

1. The Big 12 is still a wonderful jumble of parity. Yes, there is slowly some separation being created, but there are still at least a half-dozen teams — maybe more — who are legitimate contenders for a title game berth.

Saturday saw one more conference unbeaten take a tumble as Texas Tech was walloped by Baylor, 59-35.

That leaves two teams — BYU and Iowa State — with 4-0 league marks, followed by Kansas State, Cincinnati, Colorado and Texas Tech with 3-1 records. Right behind are ASU, TCU and West Virginia at 2-2.

And those teams who were preseason favorites? Of the five teams that received at least one first place vote in the preseason media poll, four of them — Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Arizona — have combined to post a 3-13 league mark thus far.

Since BYU and Iowa State don’t meet in the regular season, those two teams could ostensibly run the table and meet in the conference title game. But it’s rather difficult to see anyone in the league not having at least one stumble before the season’s end.

Iowa State almost had that stumble Saturday, needing a last-minute touchdown to beat UCF — the same UCF squad that Colorado demolished, 48-21, just three weeks ago. BYU also needed a last-minute touchdown to squeak by Oklahoma State on Friday.

The simple truth is that nobody in the league is immune to a slip-up — and whoever continues to improve down the home stretch has a very good chance of advancing to the championship game.

The Buffs are certainly a strong candidate for that group.

2. Colorado’s defense continues to improve. Coordinator Robert Livingston‘s defense is becoming the kind of unit that gives opposing coaches nightmares. They attack from all angles, they force mistakes and they capitalize on those errors.

CU has 16 sacks in the last three games, including seven against Arizona, with 12 different Buffs with at least one sack. They have forced eight turnovers in the last three games, with seven different Buffs with either an interception or fumble recovery. Colorado is tied for 19th in the nation in tackles for loss, averaging 7.0 per game.

And perhaps most importantly, the Buffs are terrific in the second half. Colorado has outscored opponents 107-43 after halftime this year. The defense is giving up just a shade over six points per game after the break, meaning if the contest is close, the Buffs love their chances in the second half.

… Continue reading story here …

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This post, about the Cincinnati game, from the 2024 Season, is filed under Article.
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