BOULDER — With its victory Friday at Utah, Colorado finally ended a 24-game losing streak for games played outside the state. Next on the program’s improvement checklist — going to a bowl game for the first time since 2007.
“That should be our goal next season,” said junior linebacker Jon Major, the only team captain who was an underclassman this season.
Speaking Tuesday during his final media luncheon of the season, CU coach Jon Embree agreed.
“As the program continues to grow, (qualifying for a bowl) should be the next step,” he said.
Colorado, 3-10 this season, will play 12 games in 2012. It will take six victories for the Buffaloes to become bowl-eligible. The Buffaloes have stayed home for the holidays since losing to Alabama at the 2007 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.
Reinforcements on the way.
Embree said he plans a large recruiting class of 28 signees. An emphasis has been put on landing cornerbacks (three or four), tight ends (three) and defensive linemen (five), he said.
National signing day is Feb. 1, although Embree said CU is looking at “five to seven” prospects who could enroll in December, including junior-college transfers and high school players able to graduate early.
Spring game scheduled.
The spring game is set for April 14. The departure of 28 seniors leaves CU with low roster numbers, so Embree said he is not yet certain about the format for the game. “We’ll have something,” he said. Spring drills are scheduled to begin March 10.
Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting.
Trying to recruit off a three-win season is not ideal, but Embree said he and his staff are getting “a lot of good responses” from prospects. CU can sell an opportunity to play early.
“And winning two of the last three (games) helps a lot,” Embree said. “That helps validate what we’re talking to recruits about.”
As expected, Colorado recruiters are emphasizing California, Colorado and Texas, Embree said. But CU also is interested in a handful of players in Washington and New Jersey, he added.
“Those players (in Washington and New Jersey) recruited us,” said Embree, meaning the prospects initiated the contact with CU.
Quote of the day.
It goes to senior wideout Tony Clemons, who has one class to pass before earning a degree in sociology next month.
“The best uniform I’ll wear is that cap and gown,” he said proudly.
Footnotes.
Embree said he anticipates his entire coaching staff to return for 2012 “unless somebody gets a great opportunity” elsewhere. . . . Only a few offseason surgeries are scheduled, the coach said. . . . Embree said no scholarship players with eligibility remaining have told him that they want to leave the program.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
