Boulder – Colorado guard Brian Daniels was in a celebratory mood Saturday after the Buffs’ comeback win over Colorado State, but he couldn’t quite muster a consistent smile.
A broken rib tends to have that effect.
Daniels left in the first half with the injury and returned in the second half, but couldn’t make it long.
“I tried to come back in,” Daniels said. “But I couldn’t breathe right.”
Daniels is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against New Mexico State. CU coach Gary Barnett said injuries and fatigue forced the Buffs to use nearly every offensive lineman they had.
“We have eight or nine linemen and we played them quite a bit,” Barnett said.
Among the other more serious CU injuries was linebacker Brian Iwuh (knee strain), who is listed as day to day. He was scheduled to have an MRI on Saturday night. Also, linebacker Thaddaeus Washington (concussion) is questionable against the Aggies.
50 and in
CU knew it had a special weapon after CSU scored with 36 seconds left to tie the game. All-America kicker Mason Crosby stood on the sideline wanting one shot, from anywhere. Barnett knew he was going to give him that shot, if at all possible.
“(Anywhere) across the 50, it didn’t matter. That last drive I was going to (have him) kick it, no matter where it was,” Barnett said.
Said Crosby, who set a school record with his 10th consecutive made field goal (dating to last year): “I was ready from anywhere.”
Crosby kicked five field goals from longer than 50 yards last season, including a 60-yarder against Iowa State.
Early in the third quarter, Barnett passed on a 58-yard field-goal attempt with CU trailing 14-10.
Vickers’ view
CU fullback Lawrence Vickers on his 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, which was punctuated by running over CSU cornerback Robert Herbert in the end zone:
“I was so amazed at the block that (Brendan) Schaub set, I didn’t even realize the cornerback was coming to tackle me. I don’t know why (Herbert) did it. Maybe when he wakes up you can ask him.”
Honorary captain
Former CU quarterback John Hessler was the Buffs’ honorary captain and participated in coin-toss ceremonies. Hessler, who played for CU from 1995-97, continues to recover from a 2003 hit-and-run accident.
Footnotes
The Red Cross raised $42,780 from donations taken at Folsom Field before the game. The proceeds will go toward relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. …
Akarika Dawn’s interception was the second of his career. He also had one against Iowa State two years ago. Gerett Burl’s interception was his first. …
Klatt moved into third place all-time in passing yards for CU with 4,963 yards, passing Mike Moschetti and Hessler.
