Boulder – For once this season, Colorado coach Gary Barnett could grin when he looked at the penalties column.
CU has had a problem with the yellow flag, but in its win Saturday over Missouri, the Buffs’ penalties took a reprieve. CU committed a season-low four penalties for 21 yards, besting the previous mark of seven against New Mexico State.
“That was refreshing,” Barnett said. “In fact, I called a timeout rather than take a delay of game, because I didn’t want another penalty on our record.”
Colorado has committed at least 10 penalties in five of its nine games and had 10 or more in each of its last four. Barnett said he’s tried a number of things to get players to focus and reduce penalties.
Saturday, he wasn’t sure what worked.
“I didn’t have a reason why it happened, so I don’t know if I can give you a reason why,” Barnett said. “I felt like we’ve been paying a lot of attention to it, but sometimes it’s just the way the game goes.”
Robinson leads receivers
In his most extensive action at wide receiver this season, Stephone Robinson made a huge impact Saturday.
He caught the first pass of his career in the first quarter and didn’t stop, finishing with five catches for 50 yards. He nearly scored on a 24-yard end-around play in the second quarter.
“He’s a tremendous asset for us,” quarterback Joel Klatt said of Robinson, who was shifted from cornerback to wideout on Oct. 11. “He is giving us a more athletic threat out there.”
Evan Judge and Dusty Sprague continued their solid play. Judge finished with three catches for 73 yards; Sprague had three catches for 38 yards.
Injuries
Running back Hugh Charles played briefly, but tweaked a sore ankle. He is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game at Iowa State. Linebacker Jordon Dizon (stinger) is probable. Defensive ends Alex Ligon (knee) and Alonzo Barrett (knee) are day-to-day.
Footnotes
Holiday Bowl executive director Bruce Binkowski was at the game. … Colorado’s 94-yard scoring drive in the first quarter was its longest this season. … Gerett Burl’s third-quarter interception was his second this season, tying him for the team lead with J.J. Billingsley and Marcus Burton.
