A unanimous All-American running back for Colorado in 1990 and later a Buffs assistant coach, Eric Bieniemy returned to CU on Dec. 6, 2010 as offensive coordinator and running backs coach. Bieniemy coached the previous five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He sat down with The Denver Post to talk about spring drills.
Q: How much progress were you able to make this spring?
A: “If you compare this to where we were at this time last spring, we’re a lot farther along. Guys know what to do and how to do it. They’re striving to do it the right way all the time, and that’s huge. We’re coaching more football than trying to organize and show guys how to practice.”
Q: Everybody wants to know about quarterback Connor Wood, the transfer from Texas. He he met your expectations this spring?
A: “Is he where we want him to be at this stage? Yes. But he still has a long ways to go, and we don’t have a game tomorrow. We had 15 spring practices to get him ready for the fall. He’s had his good days and his bad days. But the thing I appreciate about Connor is, he learns from mistakes. That’s a big bonus, a big plus. He’s very sharp.”
Q: So, your intention during the spring was to pull Wood even with injured sophomore quarterback Nick Hirschman (off-season foot surgery) so they can go at it in August?
A: “That’s right. Competition breeds success. We want to make sure that position provides the competition to allow each player to flourish and grow.”
Q: What did Wood do well?
A: “He’s doing a great job of managing our offense. He has also taken on the role of being a leader. When he’s out there, he’s the field general. But obviously, when you hear a play for the first time, you’re going to struggle. So the first time we install something, he might not get it. But the next day he will correct his mistakes. That’s all you can ever ask of a player.”
Q: It sounds like you’re pleased with what you have at quarterback and you’re looking forward to the mano-o-mano battle in August when Nick is healthy.
A: “There’s no question that Connor (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) and Nick (6-3, 230) both have the physical structure you’re looking for at that position. It’s a matter of having the knowledge and confidence and belief that you can get it done.”
Q: Has sophomore Tony Jones solidified himself as a featured running back?
A: “Tony has done a great job of running the ball and catching the ball out of the backfield. The thing I’d like Tony to continue to do is gain consistency with pass protection. To take his game to another level, he has to become a dominant blocker.”
Q: Coaches talk about sophomore Alex Lewis as Colorado’s next great offensive lineman. Will he be a tackle or a guard?
A: “We have him at left guard and he’s done a heck of a job. He’s very athletic. He can move. He’s competitive. He’s got that nastiness about him. He loves to have a ballcarrier running the ball behind him. The sky can be the limit for him. We’ve got Alex at guard and (David) Bakhtiari can stay at left tackle. But we want all those guys to be flexible, interchangeable.”
Q: Who replaces Ryan Miller at right guard?
A: “(Converted center) Daniel Munyer is there and he’s also doing a heck of a job. We’re not very big as far as bulk. But we’ll have a very, very athletic offensive line. And the thing about this group is they all played last year. As a group, they’re the heart and soul of what we’re doing on offense.”
Q: Nick Kasa, the former national blue-chipper from Legacy High, has had a star-crossed year and, as a senior, this is his last shot. Does the move from defensive end to tight end give him a chance to finish his college career with pride?
A: “When we moved Nick to tight end at the end of last season, we didn’t know what to expect. But the thing he’s done every day is improving. …He wants to be known for something. I’m expecting him to have a big year for us.”
Q: Losing Paul Richardson to a season-ending ACL tear a few days ago was a huge blow. Can the young receivers such sophomores Keenan Canty and Tyler McCulloch and redshirt freshman Nelson Spruce step up?
A: “All have elevated their game. But I’ll tell you what, Nelson Spruce has probably come out and been the surprise. He has a savvy-ness about him. He has established himself to be a factor for us this fall. He’s a tough football player. That’s what we’re always looking for.”
CU Two-Deep offense this fall?
The Denver Post’s CU beat reporter Tom Kensler takes a stab at what Colorado’s two-deep depth chart may look like for the Sept. 1 season opener against Colorado State:
QB
Connor Wood, 6-3, 235, Soph.
Nick Hirschman, 6-3, 230, Soph.
TB
Tony Jones, 5-7, 185, Soph.
Davien Payne, 5-11, 225, Fr.
FB
Christian Powell, 6-0, 250, Fr.
Clay Norgard, 6-1, 240, Fr.
WR (X)
Tyler McCulloch, 6-5, 210, Soph.
Jeffrey Thomas, 6-3, 190, Fr.
WR (Z)
Nelson Spruce, 6-2, 195, Fr.-RS
Keenan Canty, 5-9, 160, Soph.
LT
David Bakhtiari, 6-4, 295, Jr.
Alexander Lewis, 6-6, 285, Soph.
LG
Alexander Lewis, 6-6, 285, Soph.
Kaiwi Crabb, 6-3, 285, Soph.
C
Gus Handler, 6-3, 290, Jr.
Kaiwi Crabb, 6-3, 285, Soph.
RG
Daniel Munyer, 6-2, 290, Soph.
Ryan Dannewitz, 6-6, 310, Sr.
RT
Jack Harris, 6-5, 305, Jr.
Ryan Dannewitz, 6-6, 310, Sr.
TE
Nick Kasa, 6-6, 260, Sr.
Austin Ray, 6-6, 235, Fr.
PK
Will Oliver, 5-11, 195, Soph.
