Offense: Facing hungry and aggressive units
CSU offensive coordinator Greg Peterson
Q: What concerns you most about Colorado’s defense?
A: As you look at a defense from a year ago that lost a couple of starters, I think there’s some pretty good players coming back. I know the middle linebacker’s a good football player, a big physical guy. I look at their secondary and see a lot of talent back there. And in particular the corners, where I think they go five- or six-deep and all of them are good players.
Q: Which player does your offense need to identify and get blocked every time?
A: To say there’s one specific guy . . . we anticipate CU doing a lot of different things defensively. They are going to change their front around and try to give you different looks. And so you’re going to have guys shifting and moving and stemming.
Q: Which player or position has pleasantly surprised you most during camp?
A: I think, No. 1, our offensive line is a veteran crew and has played very well through two-a-days and fall camp. And so I’ve been very pleased with what they’ve been doing. We look at our quarterback position with Grant Stucker being named the starter. Grant is a very talented young man. . . . Athletically he’s the real deal. So, I’ll be anxious and excited to see what Grant can do this weekend.
Q: What’s the biggest concern about your offense?
A: Well, I think any time you replace starters. We lost a great player in Gartrell Johnson, and the tight end Kory Sperry. And (quarterback) Billy Farris. You try to find guys to replace them and you want your guys to come in and play well.
Q: What’s been the biggest challenge in getting ready for the first game?
A: There hasn’t been any problem getting the kids motivated to play. With great respect to Colorado, being an in-state rival, this is a phenomenal game for the state and for both programs with the national exposure that the state gets because of this contest.
CU offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau
Q: What concerns you most about Colorado State’s defense?
A: Probably just overall they are very, very aggressive and they play very, very hard. They like to bring a lot of pressure from a lot of different sides. They don’t care who they’re playing; they play very, very hard.
Q: Which player does your offense need to identify and get blocked every time?
A: No. 6, Mike Sisson is the name. They also have a couple of defensive tackles that are good; big strong kids that we have to keep an eye on, for sure. But Mike is a guy that’s going to move around and, I would imagine, give our tackles some problems.
Q: Which player or position has pleasantly surprised you most during camp?
A: Really, the receivers. Through camp we’ve really stepped up in the passing game. We’ve got a couple of vertical guys that can get down the field, and they are doing it and making plays, which is good. (Andre Simmons), the juco kid, he’s coming along well. That’s been the biggest improvement through camp, the receivers.
Q: What’s the biggest concern about your offense?
A: That was the concern (the wide receivers). We put so much time and energy into it during camp, just getting ready. They’ve really come along well. A lot of the young kids have stepped up. So I’m excited. I can’t wait to see what they do (tonight).
Q: What’s been the biggest challenge in getting ready for the first game?
A: The biggest challenge has just been continuing to grind on our install, and obviously getting into the game plan. Just kind of trying to keep (the players) fresh, keeping them healthy. Really more of those intangible things more than anything. In the game plan they are definitely locked in, they are watching a lot of film, a lot of good teaching going on from our coaches. But really just staying healthy and being smart with our bodies.
Defense: Experienced skill players in focus
CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr
Q: What concerns you most about Colorado’s offense?
A: Well, I think Colorado has got a proven offensive group of players. They’ve got experienced quarterbacks, No. 1. Cody Hawkins has played a lot of football and (Tyler) Hansen got an opportunity to start a few games last year. Secondly, they are a year older. They played so many young players last year in the offensive line, and at running back, in particular.
Q: Which player does your defense need to identify right out of the huddle and get stopped?
A: Really, we’re preparing for their whole team. There’s not one player that we feel we have to key on or anything like that. They’ve got weapons at every position. They’ve got an excellent receiver coming back, Scotty McKnight. Plus, they’ve got some newcomers that we’re not aware of as much at the receiver position.
Q: Which player or position has pleasantly surprised you most during camp?
A: I think our defensive line has made some great strides. I really feel like we’ve gotten a lot better in that area. I’m really looking forward to watching those guys play.
Q: What’s the biggest concern about your defense?
A: I think its overall depth. We don’t have much experience in our backup guys. They have not played a lot of football. They are all young and all new. We’re in a developmental stage, especially at linebacker — we’re extremely new there . . . a lot of guys playing their first games.
Q: What’s been the biggest challenge in getting ready for the first game?
A: They’ve changed coordinators. Their mantra has been they are going to change their style and be more of a run’em football team. On paper, that makes some sense with their big offensive line and their talented stable of running backs. But, overall, I think you can’t buy into a guessing game.
CU defensive coordinator Ron Collins
Q: What concerns you most about Colorado State’s offense?
A: Very experienced offensive line. Experienced at the receiver spot. The tailback coming back is a good player and the fullback is a good player. I think they’ve got a lot of experience. It’s their second year in the offense, and we know how much improvement you can get in a year’s time.
Q: Which player does your defense need to identify right out of the huddle and get stopped?
A: Oh, sure, (wide receiver) Rashaun Greer is a guy that we’re keeping an eye on. We know he’s a player and a dang good one.
Q: Which player or position has pleasantly surprised you most during camp?
A: The guy that’s stepped up the most this year is (linebacker) Marcus Burton. He’s done a great job, starting with last spring. And the guy has just improved every day. So he’s a team captain this year. And for all of the things that he’s gone through in his career, I think it’s a great thing for him. The fact that he’s playing as well as he has since he’s been here, I think that’s a tribute to him too.
Q: What’s the biggest concern about your defense?
A: We’re young. We have a lot of guys that are going to go out there and haven’t had any game experience at all. So this is going to be their first test. They’ve got to be ready to go.
Q: What’s been the biggest challenge in getting ready for the first game?
A: Well, first there’s a fine line between getting them in shape and beating them up. Not cross that line, but get them ready to go. And then, with two weeks of preparation for Colorado State, it’s just, not to get dull in terms of your preparation. And to keep sharp every day. So that’s been a huge challenge.
