MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Until the clock showed 6 1/2 minutes remained in West Virginia’s 35-24 victory Thursday night, only one Colorado wide receiver had a catch.
Junior Scotty McKnight, a workhorse with a big heart in a small frame, caught nine passes and needs some help. A glimmer of hope in the form of a 20-yard touchdown catch by sophomore Mark- ques Simas with three seconds left in the game might be just what the offense is looking for.
McKnight certainly thinks so.
“Markques made a nice catch. That’s a good sign,” McKnight said. “Obviously, I’m an experienced guy, so I feel like they’re going to try to get me the ball. We’ve got some young guys, and once they get going a little bit, it will be a little more balanced. We’ve got to get those guys up to speed.”
Simas finished with two receptions for 23 yards. No other CU wideout had a reception, although junior college transfer Andre Simmons and true freshman Will Jefferson got in the game and had some pass plays called their way.
Simas wasn’t in the mood to accept congratulations for his first two career catches as a college player, considering the final score. But he is ready to start making an impact.
“I felt comfortable out there from the first snap, and I wish I would have done more,” Simas said. “I definitely feel that it is a boost of confidence that will help me out. I got off to a slow start, but it started to pick up. That touchdown was important because it showed me there is more to come, more to come.”
While West Virginia’s offense looked like it could take the ball the distance on any given play, Colorado was forced to mount long drives that invariable required third-down conversions.
McKnight believes the Buffs’ offense has the capability to make big plays.
“We’ve got playmakers that can do that,” he said. “I think as we grow as a group, we’re going to get that. Markques is a guy that can make long plays. We have others. We have athletes. We just need to keep improving.”
“Everybody can make plays,” CU sophomore tailback Rodney Stewart added. “You just have to believe in yourself and do the right things in practice.”
CU’s offense was without two wideouts: sophomores Jason Espinoza (thumb fracture) and Anthony Wright (ankle sprain).
Espinoza, who was able to return punts, said the late touchdown catch by Simas is a sign of things to come.
“That’s what Markques always does,” Espinoza said. “He was getting into his flow. He can make those plays all the time. That was a big step right there.”
Big step for Simas. And, it’s hoped, for the entire offense.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
