Boulder – Thursday’s bye week practice gave the Colorado Buffaloes a chance to rest some of their nicked-up players.
As a result, linebacker Thaddaeus Washington, running back Hugh Charles, linebacker Brian Iwuh and offensive lineman Edwin Harrison were among those who did more standing and watching than anything else during a short session held at Balch Fieldhouse because of inclement weather.
Otherwise, coach Gary Barnett acknowledged CU is “probably the healthiest we’ve been” while resting up to host Nebraska next Friday.
It is a welcome change for the Buffs, who have suffered injuries to key players throughout the season. One of the final pieces to the good-team health puzzle was the recovery of defensive end Alonzo Barrett, who partially tore a ligament in his right knee Oct. 8 against Texas A&M and missed the next four games. Barrett exceeded expectations suiting up for last week’s game at Iowa State. He did not play against the Cyclones, but Barrett insists it wasn’t because of his health, but a position switch from one defensive end spot to the other.
“(Defensive coordinator Mike) Hankwitz didn’t think I knew the plays,” Barrett said. “You drop in coverage a little bit, and I’m new to that.”
Barnett said Barrett can expect to see plenty of snaps against the Cornhuskers.
“It’s good to be back,” Barrett said. “Good to be out there again.”
Holliday’s time
Playing the role of Nebraska I-back Cory Ross on the CU scout team is running back Mell Holliday, who originally expected this to be a big week for him as a contributor on the field.
However, the NCAA declared him ineligible during fall camp, citing the one- year-in-residency transfer rule. Now the game against the Huskers, for whom he unsuccessfully tried out, has a little less meaning.
“I would have been more looking forward to it if I was playing,” Holliday said. “But it’s still a big rival. It’s still a big rivalry game.”
Holliday, who made a splash in the preseason by rising from walk-on to No. 3 on CU’s depth chart at tailback, has worked on the scout team all season. He’s hoping to get a scholarship at the beginning of next semester.
Footnotes
Because Thursday’s practice was a shortened session in the cramped quarters of Balch Fieldhouse, Barnett said CU has scheduled a full practice Sunday, a day the players were originally scheduled to have off. … The Buffs have been working on basic Nebraska preparation this week, Barnett said, but that will change Sunday. “Sunday will be everything,” the coach said. … CU said 1,600 tickets remain for the Nebraska game.
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
