BOULDER — Mike MacIntyre was a first-time head coach in 2010 at San Jose State in his seventh game when then-No. 3 ranked Boise State came to town. Chris Petersen and the Broncos dominated, 48-0, and in retrospect, MacIntyre said: “It was like watching magic. They were unbelievable.”
Saturday figures to be more competitive.
The University of Colorado and seventh-ranked Washington meet at 8 p.m. Saturday in a rematch of the 2016 Pac-12 championship game, which was another lopsided Petersen victory (41-10).
“I see Chris Petersen’s hand over all the things they do and how the team is really disciplined and the always play well,” MacIntyre said. “Itap amazing to me how much offense and how many different sets and things they can do. They do it each week. I said they just changed uniforms from orange to purple.”
The praise goes both ways. Despite the departure of eight starters from last season’s defense, the Buffaloes have limited their first three opponents to an average of nine points, tied for the fourth-least nationally.
“They are playing really well on both sides of the ball but really on defense for how many guys they’ve graduated,” Petersen said. “Thatap a tribute to (MacIntyre) and his influence and probably where he spends most of his time.”
Falcons deep at quarterback. Air Force trailed at No. 7 Michigan by just three points late in the third quarter with a junior quarterback who supplanted a senior for the starting role. The Falcons fell short, 29-13, but move into Mountain West play 5 p.m. Saturday against San Diego State with confidence bred from experience at the position.
Arion Wortham is 6-1 as a starter since taking over in October 2016 when Nate Romine was sidelined with an ankle injury. Romine has 16 starts to his credit and began the year with 2,160 career passing yards with 25 total touchdowns.
“I love having Nate out here, we make each other better every day,” Wortham said. “We’re always competing, going throw for throw.”
History shows both will be needed this fall, as Air Force hasn’t gone a complete season without playing two quarterbacks since 2012. That’s the result of increased quarterback physicality in the Falcon’s triple-option offense.
Romine was a freshman in 2013 when an injury to then starter Kale Pearson forced him into a starting role. Thatap when Romine learned a valuable lesson.
“(Pearson) is on the sideline, he’s coaching me up,” Romine said. “When you’re thrown in a role that you’re not comfortable with, to help someone out means a lot. To help Arion last year and just kind of be that support for him.”
Said Air Force coach Troy Calhoun: “We’re going to need both guys throughout the year.”
Fashion statement. The Colorado State football Twitter account (@CSUFootball) posted a GIF on Tuesday of a player wearing a white uniform and white helmet. Then the date “9.21.17” flashes on the screen, which is Thursday.
Will the Rams debut a new look from Under Armor? Stay tuned.