Colorado senior wide receiver Toney Clemons has resided in Boulder for more than two years. But there’s still some Michigan in him.
“I’ll never like Ohio State,” he said.
Clemons is looking forward to returning to historic Ohio Stadium this weekend and trying to beat the Buckeyes, this time as a member of the Buffaloes.
A native of Pittsburgh, Clemons played two years at Michigan before transferring to CU in 2009. He sat out that season under NCAA transfer rules and then caught 43 passes for the Buffs last year.
As a sophomore for Michigan, Clemons suited up for the 2008 game vs. Ohio State in Columbus but didn’t play in a 42-7 loss.
“Ohio State is one of those things that you either love them or you don’t,” Clemons said. “I visited Ohio State (while being recruited), but I never really liked them.”
Apparently, the blood connection doesn’t matter. Clemons is a cousin of Ohio State junior running back Jordan Hall, who rushed for 87 yards on 14 carries Saturday in a 24-6 loss at Miami.
In August of last year when Colorado signed the contract to play this weekend’s game, Clemons thought he would get to play against two cousins. But quarterback Terrelle Pryor quit the team in June and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the NFL supplemental draft. Pryor and Hall were teammates at Jeannette (Pa.) High School, near Pittsburgh.
“It’s going to be good seeing Jordan, and I do respect Ohio State,” Clemons said. “They always have great athletes. And they play hard, no matter who they’re playing. It’s going to be fun.”
Colorado teammates were saying Saturday that it was good to see Clemons back. After seemingly living in coach Jon Embree’s doghouse since spring drills, Clemons busted out against Colorado State with three catches, including a 44-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Tyler Hansen late in the third quarter. That may have been the pivotal score in the game because it provided Colorado (1-2) with a two-touchdown cushion at 21-7.
CU coaches chewed out Clemons often during August camp and he requested a heart- to-heart chat with Embree on Sept. 7, four days after Clemons failed to catch a pass in the season opener against Hawaii. He didn’t appear to be a focus of the game plan.
A national top-100 blue-chip prospect in high school, Clemons is a big receiver (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) with good speed. But since suiting up for Colorado, Clemons has been perceived as something of an underachiever. Last year, he got into the end zone just three times.
“I don’t know what it was,” Clemons said of his lack of production. “I think I was too hard on myself. I’m not a head case. So for me to struggle like that, I wasn’t used to it.
“It took for me and Coach Embree to talk for him to realize what he thought about me and for me to loosen up, go to work and be myself.”
Teammates believe Saturday’s game could be a turning point for Clemons.
“This will build confidence in him,” said CU star wideout Paul Richardson, who could benefit most from another consistent receiving threat.
Clemons certainly was pumped after the CSU game.
“The main thing is, the coaches trusted me and supported me; that’s really what helped me go today,” Clemons said afterward. “This could be the start of something big for us.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
Eye on: Ohio State Buckeyes
Colorado at Ohio State 1:30 p.m. Saturday, KMGH-7
For the record: After opening the season under interim head coach Luke Fickell with home victories against Mid-American Conference members Akron and Toledo, Ohio State was dominated Saturday in a 24-6 loss at Miami. The Buckeyes (2-1) passed for only 35 yards against the Hurricanes.
On the sideline: Because of NCAA suspensions for accepting illegal benefits, Ohio State is still without three key offensive players: running back Boom Herron, wide receiver DeVier Posey and left tackle Mike Adams. Each is considered a future pro.
Who’s hot: On the field against Miami for 34:30, Ohio State’s defense kept the Buckeyes in the game. The Buckeyes allowed just 363 yards to the lightning-quick Hurricanes. Miami scored a late, meaningless touchdown.
Who’s not: Ohio State senior quarterback Joe Bauserman was 2-for-14 passing against Miami for 13 yards. It would not be a surprise if highly touted freshman Braxton Miller earns more playing time this week, perhaps as a starter.
Key stat: Number of catches by Ohio State wide receivers against Miami — none. Without Posey and the injured Philly Brown, the unit is inexperienced.
FYI: Colorado hasn’t played at Ohio Stadium since 1986, when CU coach Jon Embree was a senior tight end with the Buffs. Ohio State won that game 13-10.
Injury report: Ohio State’s best pass rusher, defensive end Nathan Williams, is out after arthroscopic knee surgery. Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
CSU Eye on: Utah State Aggies
Colorado State at Utah State 6 p.m. Saturday, no TV
For the record: Utah State is 1-1 and coming off a bye week. The Aggies opened with a 42-38 loss at Auburn and pounded Weber State 54-17 on Sept. 10.
Streaking: CSU has three consecutive wins over Utah State and leads the series 35-30-2. The teams haven’t met since 1997, a 35-24 victory for the Rams in Logan, Utah.
Who’s hot: Junior tailback Robert Turbin rushed for 180 yards vs. Weber State. The 5-foot-10, 216-pounder from Fremont, Calif., ranks eighth in Utah State history with 2,048 career yards.
Who’s not: Utah State’s special teams. The Aggies lost to Auburn after they failed to cover an onside kick by the Tigers in the final minute. Auburn recovered the ball and drove for the winning touchdown. In the Weber State game, the Aggies allowed an average of 23.6 yards on kickoff returns.
Key stat: Utah State ranks fourth nationally in rushing, averaging 333.5 yards. Turbin ranks 11th nationally, averaging 125.
FYI: The Aggies’ starting quarterback is freshman Chuckie Keeton, a 6-2, 185-pounder from Houston. He’s averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns. He has completed 31-of-45 passes (.689) for 379 yards and two touch- downs — without being intercepted.
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
Air Froce eye on: Tennessee State Tigers
Tennessee State vs. Air Force at Falcon Stadium, 1 p.m. Saturday, The Mtn.
For the record: Tennessee State is 1-2. The Tigers opened with a 33-7 victory over Southern, followed by losses to Jackson State (35-29) and to Murray State (58-27).
Streaking: The Tigers are giving up an average of only 84 yards rushing, and linebacker Rico Council is a big reason. Council, a 6-foot-1, 255-pound senior, has had double-figure tackles in all three games, including 11 against Jackson State.
Who’s hot: Junior receiver and kick returner Travis James (5-10, 170) is a double threat. Against Jackson State, he had 111 yards on four kickoff returns and 115 yards on three catches.
Who’s not: Sophomore running back Trabis Ward (5-10, 200) opened the season with 141 yards rushing against Southern. But he’s gained a total of only 44 yards in his last two games.
Key stat: Tennessee State’s defense is struggling against the pass. The Tigers are giving up 410 yards passing per game. Murray State threw for 630 yards and eight touchdowns.
FYI: Tigers quarterback Jeremy Perry has completed only 35-of-79 passes (.443) for 460 yards. The senior from Memphis has thrown two interceptions. Redshirt freshman Mike German played the second half against Murray State.
