HOLLYWOOD, Calif.— During a recent player-led practice in Boulder, the Colorado offense was running through a play when an offensive lineman stepped directly on the left foot of quarterback Sefo Liufau.
“It went well, so I can’t complain,” Liufau said with a smile.
Thatap a relief to the Buffaloes, because that foot carries much of the hope CU has for snapping a 10-year run of losing seasons.
Liufau suffered a Lisfranc injury to his left foot Nov. 13, ending his junior season early and knocking him out of spring practices. He has spent months rehabilitating the injury, and with fall camp around the corner, he is feeling good and eager to get his senior year underway.
“I am healthy, ready to go and I’ll see you guys all on Aug. 3 (for the start of camp),” Liufau said from the Hollywood & Highland, where Pac-12 media days are being held. “I feel pretty normal. I’m able to do things I wasn’t able to do before. I haven’t had a setback in forever, so I’m pretty excited with everything thatap going on. Itap all a tribute to the strength coaches and sports medicine for getting me to where I am right now.”
Liufau was cleared by doctors a couple weeks ago, coach Mike MacIntyre said.
“He’s in excellent shape,” MacIntyre said. “We’ll be cautious with him in camp, but he’s doing good. He’s in better shape than he’s ever been.”
Liufau comes into this season as the most experienced quarterback in the Pac-12, with 29 career starts and 7,397 career passing yards (13 shy of breaking CU’s all-time record).
He also comes into the season with much to prove, because the Buffs are just 8-21 in his starts, 2-19 in Pac-12 games. That record and his penchant for making mistakes in crucial moments has some fans doubting Liufau’s ability to lead the Buffs to success.
Former CU quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt is one who believes in Liufau.
“We fall into a trap in this day and age … if someone is not a generational talent, we automatically just look past you and are like, ‘Whatap next?’ ” Klatt said. “Constantly the grass is greener, unless you’re watching Andrew Luck or watching Marcus Mariota.
“Sefo is a heck of a player, and he’s one of the reasons why they’ve been able to have chances in games.”
Klatt praised Liufau’s leadership and said he’s “very talented as a passer.” Klatt also recognizes that there’s another level for Liufau to reach.
“The bottom line is, the next progression for Sefo is playing clutch in clutch moments,” Klatt said. “Thatap the growth, which you would much rather want a growth in terms of intangibles rather than skill set, because no one is just going to all of a sudden become a more accurate thrower. But you can learn how to deal with situations better, and thatap the growth that I would hope for him.”