Boulder — After a one-hour, 72-play scrimmage Friday morning, Colorado assistant football coach Jeff Grimes said only one thought should now occupy the minds of his Buffs players:
“We’ve got to have all our attention focused on beating Colorado State next Saturday,” Grimes said.
With coach Dan Hawkins absent from the scrimmage for a luncheon, Grimes gave his thoughts on the team’s final scrimmage, and where things stand with the team.
“I would say, right now, it appears that we’re on track to be as tough as I’d like our group to be. We’re not there yet, but we’re making progress,” Grimes said. “I think we made excellent progress the first two, two-and-a-half weeks, and we’re at the point right now where we’ve got to kind of push them through this phase, where you kind of start lagging. Guys get tired of hitting each other.”
One player the Buffs likely won’t have against the Rams is last year’s starting quarterback, Bernard Jackson. Coach Dan Hawkins, who was not at Friday’s scrimmage, said Thursday he does not expect Jackson to play against the Rams.
Jackson, who is the offensive team captain, is waiting to get his final grades to see if he will be academically eligible for the fall season. He has missed a lot of preseason camp because of family and academic obligations.
Grimes said the play of the offensive line could largely determine the Buffs’ success this season — and that there is work to do still in that area.
“Your offensive line is going to determine the toughness of your offense,” he said. “Those other guys will follow the guys up front. You can’t expect the little skinny guys wearing sweat bands and bicep bands to be leading the charge into battle. Ultimately, I think our team will only be as tough as our offensive line, because the defense will only be tough if they’re used to somebody hitting them in the mouth every day.”
On Thursday, Hawkins was asked how he saw the team’s progression:
“We’re getting close,” he said. “The next week, they’ll be a little more rested, a little more focused. I’m one of those guys that thinks you’re never quite there. We could be doing awesome, and I’ll think we’re not quite there. But I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
