Athens, Ga. – A year ago, Riar Geer was making the conversion to tight end during Colorado’s practices. He had never played the position.
Saturday, he showed just how far he has come.
The redshirt freshman became the unexpected focal point of the offense in the first half as the Buffs exploited a Georgia defense that held its linebackers inside and left the flats mostly uncovered. CU coaches thought they could get the tight ends open, and that’s just what happened. Geer had six of his career-high seven catches for 71 yards in the first 30 minutes.
“It could have been any of us,” Geer said. “We practiced running underneath routes all week. I think I just got lucky my number was called so many times and I was able to make plays.”
Geer, who played at Fruita Monument High School, had five catches in CU’s first two drives. He caught three on the second drive, which ended in a Mason Crosby field goal that gave the Buffs a 3-0 lead.
“He’s a good football player. He’s a tough football player,” CU offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said. “He’s going to make a lot of plays for us in the future.”
Fenton out, MacMartin in
Senior center Mark Fenton suffered a cracked bone in his right fibula during the first quarter and was replaced by Bryce MacMartin. It is not known how long Fenton, a Rimington and Outland award candidate, will be out.
MacMartin, a senior reserve, joked with teammates during the second quarter that he needed an IV because his body wasn’t used to playing that much.
“I’ve always kept myself prepared to go,” MacMartin said. “I think one of my strengths as a player is the mental aspect. I’m always taking mental reps and I keep myself ready so that if my number is called, I’m ready to go.”
Blocked kick
Crosby had his 26-yard try on CU’s first drive blocked. Crosby said a couple of factors were to blame.
“I guess there was a little penetration,” he said. “I thought I hit the ball a little lower than I should have.”
Crosby is 5-for-9 on field goals this season. He made 2-of-3 Saturday.
Ralphie runs
Ralphie IV ran in front of 92,746 curious fans at Sanford Stadium. It was the first regular-season road trip for CU’s mascot since 1989, when Ralphie III went to Stillwater, Okla., for the Buffs’ game against Oklahoma State.
Footnotes
There were no other major injuries reported….Freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins, the backup in quarterback James Cox’s absence Saturday, did not play. It means he is still eligible to redshirt….Wide receiver Cody Crawford and cornerback Terry Washington made the first starts of their careers….CU stopped Georgia both times the Bulldogs went for it on fourth down. The Buffs have held foes to 1-of-5 on fourth downs this season.
