BOULDER — It’s not nearly as monumental as the Kyle Orton-Tim Tebow duel, but Jon Embree wants to get Colorado’s punting battle settled sooner rather than later.
No punter has jumped out yet in practice, although the first-year Buffs coach hopes to name a starter early next week.
Incumbent Zach Grossnickle, who averaged 39.7 yards last year, continues to battle local freshman walk-on Darragh O’Neill (Fairview High) and Rice transfer Mark Brundage. All had their hang-time moments in this morning’s practice.
“I know who I think it is. We’ll be down to two this afternoon and hopefully will be finalized by early next week,” Embree said after the morning practice. “We’ll put the screws to them Monday.”
Embree doesn’t want to do much kicking in Saturday’s scrimmage. He compared the punting job to that of quarterback.
“The sooner they know, the more they can relax,” he said. “It’s a different mindset. I’d like them to know early and prove me wrong one way or another.”
The staff is trying to accomplish so many tasks that if the entire kicking gamer is settled, other questions fall into place regarding return teams.
Embree is looks at Saturday’s scrimmage as a chance to define the travel roster for the Sept. 3 opener at Hawaii.
“To the coaches it’s pretty clear cut who guys are,” Embree said. “We’ll come out with list and see how it shakes out. We have guys who aren’t really good shorts (routine practice) players who are really good in pads (scrimmages),” Embree said.
Footnotes. Running back/return specialist Brian Lockridge was listed on the injury report with a lower-back bruise. . Cornerback Parker Orms remained in his golf cart Thursday with his foot elevated. A calf injury has kept him out of practice all week. “He looked a little gimpy today,” said Embree who wants to determine a four-man cornerback rotation by next week.
