STANFORD, Calif. — Playing in place of injured receiver Paul Richardson, Colorado redshirt freshman Keenan Canty made the first start of his career in Saturday’s game at No.7 Stanford, and the Buffaloes wasted no time in making the Louisiana native part of the game plan.
Tyler Hansen’s first two pass plays went to Canty, and the 5-foot-9, 155-pounder hauled in the first receptions of his college career.
Following a Colorado recovery of a fumble on Stanford’s opening kickoff return, Hansen hit Canty on the right side for 5 yards. Then, after two runs by Rodney Stewart, Hansen went back to Canty on the right side for 13 yards to the Stanford 12.
“I thought Keenan played well,” CU coach Jon Embree said. “He got jammed up one time that affected a play. But I thought he did OK.”
Colorado appeared ready to become the first team to score in the first quarter against Stanford. It didn’t happen. Colorado’s possession stalled at the 12. And not only was a 29-yard field-goal attempt by CU’s Will Oliver blocked by linebacker Max Bergen, it was returned 75 yards by Bergen for a Stanford touchdown.
Canty, who redshirted last year, had played in four of CU’s first five games but only one (against California) as a wide receiver. Most of his work had been on special teams.
Richardson, Colorado’s top receiver, sprained a knee Wednesday in practice. He could be out three weeks, according to CU.
Other lineup changes.
CU senior Brian Lockridge did not dress. The tailback-turned-cornerback injured an ankle last weekend against Washington State. . . . Usually a safety, sophomore Terrel Smith started at one cornerback spot instead of Jason Espinoza. Espinoza moved to the nickel.
Back in time.
Now Stanford’s first-year head coach, David Shaw was a receiver for the Cardinal in the most recent meeting between Colorado and Stanford — a 41-37 victory by the host Cardinal in 1993.
Colorado linebackers coach Brian Cabral made 25 tackles — yes, as a linebacker — in the 1977 meeting — a 27-21 Colorado victory in Boulder.
Footnotes.
The 5-yard touchdown catch of a shovel pass by CU tailback Tony Jones in the second quarter was the first of Jones’ college career. Like Canty, he is a redshirt freshman. . . . CU’s Smith intercepted an Andrew Luck pass in the second quarter and made sure a team manager kept the football for him. . . . The failed 46-yard field-goal attempt by Oliver at the end of the first half was the first miss for the freshman that wasn’t blocked.
