BOULDER — Colorado ranked 11th among Big 12 Conference teams in rushing offense in 2009, but accounts of Thursday’s closed scrimmage by coaches and players suggest that a dramatic improvement in the ground game is expected this season.
“The holes I was getting were crazy,” starting junior tailback Rodney “Speedy” Stewart said in describing his runs during three hours of work under what coaches called “game-like” conditions. “Even against the No. 1 defense, there were some good holes.”
Stewart said his longest run went for about 30 yards. He also caught a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Tyler Hansen.
Statistics were not made available to the media, but Stewart said he drew “a lot of carries” and had good success, especially in the second half of the scrimmage when the offense opened its playbook.
“I got to see the field a little bit this time,” said Stewart, who ran 12 times in last week’s scrimmage mostly during short-yardage work. “I think with me coming back as a veteran and knowing more, and the offensive line coming together, we’re going to be a lot more effective.”
“We actually did some stuff with two tight ends and got after some guys,” Hansen said of the power running attack. “It was nice to see.”
CU coach Dan Hawkins also praised the ground game. “They did a nice job today, for sure,” he said. “They’re definitely more consistent than last year.”
Play of the day.
The most spectacular play of the scrimmage, according to teammates, was turned in by junior receiver Toney Clemons, the flashy transfer from Michigan.
After catching what appeared to be a simple sideline hitch pass from Hansen, Clemons tiptoed to stay inbounds and then made a fake on sophomore safety Ray Polk to break into the clear for a 49-yard touchdown. Clemons, 6-feet-2, 210 pounds and boasting sprinter speed, was voted last month as Big 12 preseason offensive newcomer of the year.
“Toney made (Polk) look silly,” senior quarterback Cody Hawkins said. “But he does that to a lot of people.”
Taking the snaps.
Hansen, the expected starting quarterback, estimated that he got most of the reps with the Nos. 1 and 2 offenses by “about 6 0/40” (split) with Cody Hawkins.
“The first half we were trying to get a rhythm with some stuff we’ve had trouble with,” Hansen said. “So the defensive line had the upper hand a little bit. But the second half we moved real smoothly and scored some points.”
Offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau described the play of both quarterbacks as “efficient.”
Footnotes.
Following the scrimmage, defensive coordinator Ron Collins cited true freshmen Jered Bell (cornerback), Josh Moten (cornerback) and Terrel Smith (safety) and redshirt freshman Paul Vigo (combo corner-safety) as newcomers who are vying for the two-deep on defense. . . . Dan Hawkins said he was not aware of any significant injuries. . . . A handful of newcomers missed the scrimmage because of university freshman orientation, including tight end Harold Mobley, receiver Paul Richardson and tailback Justin Torres.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
