Miami – The on-again, off-again saga with Colorado’s Bernard Jackson and his future at quarterback may be off again.
Again.
Jackson made his kickoff return debut Saturday, taking one back for 25 yards against Miami. According to offensive coordinator Shawn Watson, it may not be the last time. Jackson’s movement may not be limited just to kickoff returns, but it’s a start.
“We need to get Bernard on the field,” Watson said. “One of the best ways is special teams.”
Jackson came to CU in 2003 as a quarterback from Corona, Calif. After redshirting his freshman season, he was moved to wide receiver in 2004 because coaches wanted to get him the ball. As a backup quarterback, he was just watching games.
Jackson was moved back to quarterback this season, but that decision once again is up in the air as coaches strive to put their best playmakers on the field.
O-line flip flop
CU offensive line coach Dave Borbely teaches his players to play multiple positions, and because of injuries Saturday, their knowledge was put to the test.
Senior Gary Moore started for Tyler Polumbus at tight tackle and Edwin Harrison replaced Brian Daniels (broken rib and bruised kidney) at split guard.
Jack Tipton and Clint O’Neal started, as usual, but were shifted to the other side of the line.
The only depth CU had available consisted of freshman Daniel Sanders and junior college transfer Bryce MacMartin. Polumbus did play a few snaps, but reinjured his sprained ankle.
“As a whole, I thought we played tremendously,” O’Neal said. “We got a hat on a hat, picked up certain blitzes. We did pretty well.”
Ellis, Barnett break out
In the midst of an otherwise forgettable day were the most important contributions to date from running back Byron Ellis and wide receiver Alvin Barnett.
Ellis carried the ball eight times for a 30 yards. Twenty- two of his yards came on four second-quarter carries. He also caught three passes for 53 yards.
Barnett caught seven passes for 59 yards. He had three catches in CU’s first two games.
“They are two young guys that are figuring it out,” CU coach Gary Barnett said. “We’re getting them involved, and we’ll continue to get them involved.”
Footnotes
Mason Crosby’s wide field-goal attempt from 28 yards was the first miss of his CU career from inside 40 yards. He had been 19-for-19. … CU players said the heat and humidity was only a minor issue Saturday. The game-time temperature was 86 degrees with 70 percent humidity. The Buffs brought 27 cases (648 20-ounce bottles) of Gatorade.
