PERSPECTIVE
Special teams swing back CSU’s way
For the past three years, special teams in the Colorado-Colorado State series have been synonymous with CU’s former All-America kicker, Mason Crosby. His 55-yard field goal as a sophomore in 2004 interrupted CSU’s comeback from a 17-0 deficit and helped CU win 27-24. A year later, his 47-yarder with four seconds left was automatic in a 31-28 Buffs win.
He would have ended his career against the Rams with a 61-yarder last year, but it was wiped off by a timeout call before the kick.
This time around, the kickers on both sides are mere mortals. CSU’s Jason Smith is coming off a forgettable campaign in which he hit 8-of-15 attempts, with a long of 49. He ended the mock game Saturday with a 57-yarder. Kevin Eberhart finally gets his chance after spending four years watching Crosby at CU.
The series, however, has produced some other remarkable highlights in the return department: Calvin Branch’s 96-yard kickoff return for CSU in 1996; Jeremy Bloom’s career debut 75-yard punt return in 2002.
Both teams emphasized improvement in the return game during preseason camp. While CSU vets Damon Morton and Johnny Walker haven’t erased memories of ex-Rams great Dexter Wynn, but might have just a little confidence edge after the Buffs finished last in Big 12 returns.
It will be interesting to see how both teams handle the rule change with kickoffs now coming from the 30-yard line.
– Natalie Meisler
TIGHT END GEER BACK IN HIGH GEAR
One of the best catches from the Western Slope
After completing a two-hour practice Sunday morning, CU sophomore tight end Riar Geer said he felt like he was finally back to 100 percent after suffering a sprained left ankle in an Aug. 12 scrimmage.
Geer, who led the Buffs with 24 catches in 2006, played quarterback at Fruita-Monument High School.
“(Being entrenched as a starter) definitely feels good coming from the Western Slope, because there are so few of us,” Geer said Sunday. “I feel like high school players from there don’t get much respect. Maybe I can be an inspiration to them.”
SERIES HISTORY
Short work by CU
CU 45, CSU 20
Sept. 9, 1989, in Boulder (44,921)
A year after CU needed a late scoring drive to win in Fort Collins, it was the perfect setup for CSU. CU had only five days to get ready for the instate rival after a stunning, Labor Day night, 27-6 win over Texas vaulted the Buffs to No. 9 in the polls. Next up for CU was a home game with Jeff George-led Illinois.
The Rams needed just six seconds to bring CU back to earth with a 59-yard Tony Alford run. Buffs QB Darian Hagan, now the CU running backs coach, answered with a 71-yard run. CSU had one more gasp left when QB Kevin Verdugo hit Sean Willis with a 55-yard pass.
CU proceeded to fine-tune one of the more dominating running attacks in history with a 452-yard explosion on the way to an unbeaten regular season.
HEALTHY SQUAD DOESN’T HURT
“Anytime you get through without anybody getting hurt, that’s the No. 1 plus. But I think we achieved a lot of our objectives.” – CU coach Dan Hawkins, right, on Sunday’s conclusion of the three-week fall camp and the arrival of game week
FORGET HISTORY, AND BRING ON SATURDAY
“Last year is last year. We’re a completely different team from that game, and they are a completely different team from that game.” – Colorado State defensive end Jesse Nading, left
DEPTH CHART UPDATED
Buffs’ lineup taking shape
Although CU coach Dan Hawkins says he’s “not a depth chart guy,” the Buffs released an updated pecking order Sunday for the Colorado State game. There were few changes from the depth chart released a week earlier.
Daniel Dykes, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior and a transfer from Idaho, is listed alone as the first-team strong safety. Dykes supplanted senior Lionel Harris, who started six of the last seven games in 2006. Harris had been listed as a co-starter with Dykes in the previous depth chart.
“Both of those guys will play,” Hawkins said Sunday.
Dusty Sprague, a 6-4, 190-pound senior wideout, moved up to second-team X-receiver after having been listed as third-team Z-receiver. Patrick Williams, a 6-2, 200-pound junior, remained the starter.
Freshman lineman Ryan Miller, a 6-7, 320-pound Parade All-American from Columbine, remained on the second team but moved from right guard to right tackle, where he will play behind senior Edwin Harrison.
Another freshman offensive lineman, Sione Tau, switched from second-team right tackle to second-team left tackle. Tau (6-5, 330) will play behind senior Tyler Polumbus.
Freshman defensive backs Anthony Wright and Anthony Perkins are off the depth chart, an indication that coaches hope to redshirt them this season.
Wright and Perkins had been listed previously as co-backups to junior Ryan Walters at free safety. Jalil Brown, a 6-1, 205-pound redshirt freshman, is now the top reserve behind Walters.
“We’re pretty close,” Hawkins said when asked Sunday if the team was ready for the season to begin. “We still have a lot of young guys, new guys, inexperienced guys. Some of that stuff is still out there, but the rest I think is pretty good.”
