FORT COLLINS — The biggest surprise of spring football at Colorado State was the improved play of an athlete whose talent had never come to the fore.
In April, wide receiver Marquise Law smiled his way through a second chance to make a first impression. The new CSU coaching staff had no preconceived notions of what he was or could be. They just wanted to see him play.
And play he did.
He made critical catches and routine ones. Law put on full display just what a 6-foot-4, 212-pound wide receiver could do — what one with that size is supposed to do, really. And all the while helping to usher in what this current group of CSU wide receivers hopes is a new era of increased productivity.
Everyone from the receivers to the quarterback are champing at the bit to show a complete turnaround in the passing game.
“I’m eager to show the difference we have from last year to this year,” said sophomore quarterback Garrett Grayson. “I was talking to a couple of fans after a scrimmage and they were saying, ‘Are these wide receivers going to show up this year?’ And it was kind of a slap in the face because there were times you didn’t think they did or whatever happened, whatever the case may be — plays weren’t called right. We just want to show them that they’re there and they are making plays for us.”
The wideouts have a lot to prove. Of the 208 completions in the Rams’ 2011 season, wide receivers caught 79 of those passes and only four went for touchdowns.
The two 2012 starters, Law and Dominique Vinson, caught a combined three passes last season. Vinson wasn’t even a receiver in 2011. He was in the secondary.
“We’re very eager to show things are different,” Law said. “A year ago we were told we weren’t playmakers, we weren’t weapons in the offense. So we’re all eager to get out there and show what we have, show our versatility and show how deep we are, mainly. We can switch people in and out and not miss a beat.”
Senior Lou Greenwood returns as the CSU wideout with the most catches (26) from a year ago. He is not starting (he has started 15-of-34 games the past three seasons) but is expected to play a big role just the same in the Rams’ passing game.
“He’s been coming to play this last week,” Grayson said of Greenwood, who was a running back as a freshman before switching in 2010 to receiver. “He’s showing that he’s going to be a playmaker for us.”
One of the most key players at the position won’t take the field Saturday. Thomas Coffman, the Rams’ deadliest deep threat, is out of the opener as he recovers from a lower abdominal injury.
The 5-10, 180-pound sophomore averaged 26.2 yards per reception last season on eight catches. Coffman is expected to play in next week’s home opener against North Dakota State.
Vinson will start in Coffman’s place.
Sophomores Charles Lovett and Lee Clubb should get chances to prove their worth as well. Freshmen Jordon Vaden and Joe Hansley have had highlight moments in preseason practices.
From Law’s vantage point, these wide receivers have an opportunity to be the best during his time at CSU.
“It’s good,” he said. “We’ve got guys making plays all over the field. It’s been good to see everybody pick it up and just know that we won’t miss a beat and everybody will be making plays.”
Christopher Dempsey: 303-954-1279, cdempsey@denverpost.com or
SCOUTING REPORT
Staff writers Tom Kensler and Christopher Dempsey break down the Colorado-Colorado State game by position to see which team has the advantage:
Offense
QUARTERBACK
Colorado: Not all Buffs fans turned cartwheels when a former Kansas player won the starting job in Boulder. Jordan Webb threw as many interceptions as touchdowns (20 apiece) in two years with the Jayhawks, but CU coaches and players believe in him, saying he is a strong, accurate passer and was the clear-cut choice. Webb isn’t big (listed generously at 6-foot-1), so look for him to move in the pocket.
Colorado State: Garrett Grayson may not have played in this game before, but he has three starts and four games total under his belt. The mobile sophomore is a true dual threat — he threw for 542 yards and ran for 193 on 47 carries in 2011. His first career start came last season against TCU, and he was the first Rams QB in 23 games not to get sacked. He has steadily improved in the preseason.
Advantage: Even
RUNNING BACK
Colorado: Colorado coach Jon Embree has joked for two years about wanting a tailback who is taller than offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (5-foot-8), but 5-7, 190-pound sophomore Tony Jones replaces departed four-year starter Rodney Stewart (5-6). Jones has less juke and wiggle than Stewart but may become more consistent carry to carry. CSU linebackers need to be aware of Jones’ pass-catching ability. In spot duty last year, Jones recorded 27 receptions to rank fourth on the team.
Colorado State: Junior Chris Nwoke returns on the heels of 1,130 yards and nine touchdowns last season. His no-nonsense running style fits perfectly into the physical football that coach Jim McElwain desires to play. Donnell Alexander should see plenty of time as well, as the redshirt freshman has performed well in preseason practices. The H-back spot (formerly the fullback position) is manned by Jake Levin, who will be asked to block, block, block … and maybe catch the ball from time to time.
Advantage: CSU
OFFENSIVE LINE
Colorado: Reporters have been prohibited from watching practices, but CU coaches have raved about the line since August camp began. O-line coach Steve Marshall prefers lean, nimble blockers, and the only 300-pounder among the starters is junior right tackle Jack Harris (305). But junior left tackle David Bakhtiari and junior center Gus Handler are on official “watch lists” for national awards, and sophomore left guard Alex Lewis (6-6, 285) may have the most upside.
Colorado State: Junior center Weston Richburg leads a big group that likes to bully defensive lines. With the starters averaging 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, there is a big wall up front for Grayson. At 6-7 and 315 pounds, right tackle Jared Biard will be easy to spot but tough to get around. There is tons of experience and depth on the line and only one senior (Joe Caprioglio, who is back from an injury that knocked him out of last season).
Advantage: CSU
RECEIVERS
Colorado: The Buffs’ passing game must move the chains with “small ball” this season because last year’s home run threats, NFL draftee Toney Clemons and junior Paul Richardson (redshirting to recover from knee surgery), have been replaced by possession-type receivers. The good news for CU is that sophomore Tyler McCulloch and redshirt freshman Nelson Spruce were said to have caught everything in sight during fall camp. When Gerald Thomas enters the lineup, CSU defenders must account for the true freshman from Dallas. Senior tight end Nick Kasa (6-6, 260) is imposing but unproven, having converted from the defensive line.
Colorado State: Besides the defensive line, this is the most unproven position on the Rams’ team. The starters on the depth chart — Dominique Vinson and Marquise Law — had three catches between them last season. Vinson wasn’t even a wide receiver last year; he was in the secondary. There is young talent, but some players must step up. The focal point of the passing game may be tight end Crockett Gillmore. The junior led CSU in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2011.
Advantage: Even
Defense
DEFENSIVE LINE
Colorado: The Buffs finally have some SEC-type size along its defensive front, with a pair of thick true freshmen from Southern California, Josh Tupou (6-3, 325) and Justin Solis (6-3, 305), making an immediate impact. Tupou already is considered a future star after earning a spot in a three-man regular rotation with senior Will Pericak and junior Nate Bonsu for the two tackle positions. The key could be whether defensive ends Chidera Uzo-Diribe and Juda Parker can harass Grayson and take pressure off the youngsters in the Buffs’ secondary.
Colorado State: Simply put, this is the most troubling position on the team. It is undersized at some spots and doesn’t have nearly the depth McElwain wants. Still, sophomore defensive end John Froland (6-5, 260) is a player, and the line will get a boost at times when linebacker Shaquil Barrett plays some snaps at end. The tackle spots have experience in senior Zach Tiedgen (who was a star in 2009 as a freshman end before getting slowed by injuries) and size in sophomore Alex Tucci (6-3, 300).
Advantage: CU
LINEBACKER
Colorado: Undoubtedly, the strength of CU’s defense is this group, which one preseason magazine ranked fifth-best among linebacker units in the Pac-12. Seniors Doug Rippy (6-3, 245) and Jon Major (6-2, 235) are experienced, big and have good speed. The third member of the starting unit, junior weakside linebacker Derrick Webb (6-0, 230), is a big hitter. And coaches say top reserve Brady Daigh (6-2, 250), a sophomore from Mullen, was among the most-improved players in fall camp.
Colorado State: No position comes as worry-free as this one does. Shaquil Barrett and James Skelton (6-2, 230) were beasts last season. Sophomore Aaron Davis (6-0, 215) is a burgeoning star, and redshirt freshman Cory James (6-0, 235) has played his way into the starting quartet. There is good depth here as well.
Advantage: CSU
SECONDARY
Colorado: Two returnees, senior free safety Ray Polk and junior nickel back Parker Orms, have become mentors to the four force-fed true freshmen in the two-deep. That includes left cornerback Kenneth Crawley (6-1, 170) from Washington, D.C., who has earned the starting job. On the other side, sophomore right cornerback Greg Henderson must already feel like a veteran. Along with junior strong safety Terrel Smith, the Buffs’ secondary is more athletic than last year. But it’s always frightening for coaches to throw true freshmen in the fray, especially in the back end of the defense.
Colorado State: McElwain raved about this group all August, and now the DBs will get to show everyone what the coaches have seen for a month. There is experience in senior cornerback Momo Thomas (32 career starts and five interceptions) and promising young players in freshman Trent Matthews and sophomore Bernard Blake. Sophomore safety Austin Gray is back after a year of experience and starting every game in 2011.
Advantage: CU
SPECIAL TEAMS
Colorado: The Buffs are set and proven in the kicking game with place-kicker Will Oliver and punter Darragh O’Neill having bright futures after terrific freshman seasons. CU’s returners could be all true freshmen: Crawley as the primary punt returner, and safety Marques Mosley and tailback Donta Abron handling kickoffs. As the ball heads toward them, watch to see if Buffs coaches hold their breath — and maybe even cross their fingers. The good news is, that’s more speed and athleticism in the kicking game than in the recent past.
Colorado State: Punter Pete Kontodiakos bounced back from a subpar spring with a solid preseason. He’s a preseason all-Mountain West selection and last season averaged 43.6 yards per kick. After losing longtime kicker Ben DeLine and Chad VanderMolen, untested sophomore Jared Roberts from Mullen High School will handle the kicking duties. Momo Thomas is back as the punt returner (21 for 210 yards in 2010), and backup RB Donnell Alexander will be in for kickoff returns.
Advantage: CU
