BOULDER — For many of the estimated 400 spectators watching Colorado’s first scrimmage of August camp Monday, the Darrell Scott Era officially began on his fifth carry.
Taking a handoff on a simple draw play, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound freshman tailback showed off the speed, strength and agility Buffaloes fans have been waiting to see since February when he picked CU over Texas. Scott scooted 39 yards, breaking a tackle at the line of scrimmage before he blew past linebackers and into the open field.
Scott was a bit embarrassed to talk about the long gain because, well, it should have been longer. Another 5 yards and Scott would have scored. Cornerback Jimmy Smith dragged down Scott from behind.
“I saw him out of my peripheral vision, but being the fifth straight run killed me,” Scott said. “I was a little winded by that point.”
Scott, a Southern Californian rated last fall by recruiting sites as the nation’s top running back prospect, had to complete work on a high school algebra class and could not join future teammates in summer conditioning work.
“Clearly on that one (Scott) busted, in the middle of the season he’s going to take that one in,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said.
Scott led all rushers with 86 yards on 14 carries. The other two freshman backs, Ray Polk (six for 35 yards) and Rodney “Speedy” Stewart (four for 29) also flashed breakaway talent. Sophomore Demetrius Sumler (nine for 32) also had his moments. A stronger running threat should ease the pressure on quarterback Cody Hawkins.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can get the job done,” said Cody, who completed 17-of-26 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Scott said the toughest part about college football is adjusting to the speed of the game. Using the shotgun formation, CU has adopted a no-huddle, up-tempo offense this year out of the shotgun formation.
“You’ve got to know your assignments,” Scott said. “And the holes close up quicker. A couple of times, I didn’t know what to do so I just ran forward as hard as I could. I always want to fall forward. If I don’t, I lost that run.”
Footnotes.
Sophomore Aric Goodman, a Wyoming transfer and former Cherry Creek High School kicker, appears in the lead for the starting job for placements. Freshman Jameson Davis was held out of the scrimmage with a swollen knee. . . . The next scrimmage is 4-6 p.m. Sunday. That will be the final practice open to the public. . . . Dan Hawkins didn’t like the sacks (six) and fumbles (four, including one by Scott) but was pleased the quarterbacks had no problem with the play clock. . . . Two of Cody Hawkins’ three TD passes went to sophomore Scott McKnight, including a 14-yarder in which Hawkins had to roll out of the pocket and improvise. “Scotty knows what the quarterback is thinking,” Cody said.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
