University of Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre (Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera)
BOULDER – Although the 0-3 start in Pac-12 play doesn’t reflect a lot of progress, Colorado football coach Mike MacIntyre said his team has passed over a huge hurdle.
The Buffs now believe they can win, he said.
“It’s the way they practice, their effort, their fight, their intensity throughout the game — they don’t ever think they’re out of a game,” MacIntyre said.
“They’re playing now, not just to maybe finish the game, the old ‘Give it the good try,'” MacIntyre added. “They’re playing to win it. There’s a whole different mentality there. People see it, our players see it and I know I see it.
“Every game we’ve gone into the fourth quarter with a chance, and that hadn’t been the case around here. So we’re making progress. We just haven’t punched through yet.”
Colorado (2-4, 0-3 Pac-12) has an open date this weekend before playing Oct. 18 at Southern California. MacIntyre was asked about what he would like to accomplish during the bye week.
He mentioned:
* Working on short-yardage and goal-line situations.
* Improving fundamentals and techniques.
* Spending extra time with players that are not on the travel squad, including some scrimmage time.
* Getting a jump on preparations for USC.
“Every game we’ve gone into the fourth quarter with a chance, and that hadn’t been the case around here,” MacIntyre said. “So we’re making progress. We just haven’t punched through yet.”
