Buffs Offense Has Solid Day In Scrimmage
August 16, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
Coaches like tempo, physicality from Tuesday practice
BOULDER — One day after the defense exerted its will in Monday's 11-on-11 team drills, the Colorado offense came back and had its turn making big plays in a Tuesday morning scrimmage.
With the Buffaloes in full pads, head coach Mike MacIntyre put his team through approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes of full-contact work, and once again, MacIntyre and his staff came away happy with the physical nature of the workout.
"We had a really physical, physical practice," MacIntyre said. "They got after it. They've got camp legs, but they didn't act like it. They pushed through it. I liked the physicality again. We worked a lot of different situations, and I wanted to see some competitiveness."
Overall, the scrimmage might have been the best showing by the No. 1 offense thus far in camp. Quarterback Sefo Liufau, who admitted his effort in Saturday's scrimmage was a bit erratic, had what offensive co-coordinator Darrin Chiaverini called probably his best practice of fall camp. Liufau was sharp with both his long and short game, and had a good day in reading his checks and progressions.
What might have been most pleasing for Chiaverini was watching the offense put together some sustained drives against the No. 1 defense — something that hasn't happened with much regularity thus far.
"That's what's great about tempo," Chiaverini said. "That's the difference. The key is, you get that first first down and tempo comes into play. It's hard for the defense to get calls in, it's hard for them to get out of certain personnel groupings. As you get first downs, it's hard for them to get all of their exotic blitzes in. I think you saw some of that day with the tempo."
A big part of the offense's success on Wednesday came from the play of Liufau.
"Sefo's knocking some of that rust off," Chiaverini said. "He's taken steps forward and starting to see the checks and respond. He's a guy who has played a lot of football and it's just a matter of him knowing the system inside and out, being able to run the show — and he's doing that."
Liufau, coming back from a foot injury that sidelined him for the entire spring, seems to now be getting fully comfortable with a revamped offense.
"Even though there's some base stuff they ran from last year that's carried over, there's a lot of new concepts," Chiaverini said. "He's handling them now. He's able to see the picture. He knows I'm hard on him, but he knows he has to make those throws in order for us to get to where we want to go — and he's responding to it."
Other players turning in big plays for the offense included wide receivers Bryce Bobo, Shay Fields and Kabion Ento; along with running backs Donovan Lee and Kyle Evans and fullback/H-back George Frazier in goal-line situations.
And, redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Montez had what Chiaverini called an "excellent day."
"He made some really nice throws," Chiaverini said. "He looked good."
Bobo had two nice catches in the end zone. Paired with two outstanding catches in Monday's practice, including a highlight reel one-handed grab, it has been the junior wideout's best stretch of camp.
"I've been really impressed with Bryce," Chiaverini said. "He's making big plays, plays that are critical in football games to win."
Thus far, at least a half-dozen receivers have had solid stretches catching the ball in camp. It's meant for some intense competition for positions on the depth chart — a problem no coach minds having.
"It's fun to see the development in the players," Chiaverini said. "They're never a finished product, but always working to get better. I've seen them grow and they've all had a good day or two. I've seen (true freshman) Johnny Huntley grow from when he first got here to where he is now. Juwann (Winfree) was really coming on and then he had a little hip deal, but now he's working himself back into it. Shay (Fields) has had the best camp I think as far as being consistent and coming out and running hard. They've all had their moments."
MacIntyre no doubt likes the depth at receiver.
"We've got a lot of good guys that can make plays," MacIntyre said. "That's good, because (opponents) can't just key on one guy. All of them have had really good days, and it's good competition."
PRACTICE TIDBITS: While the offense enjoyed one of its better days of camp, the defense still had its share of plays. Defensive back Chidobe Awuzie made a beautiful break on a ball on a crossing route, moving in front of the receiver to break up a pass near the sideline on what initially looked to be a sure completion. … CU continues to get good pressure from its front five. … True freshman quarterback Sam Noyer continues to impress. … One matchup fun to observe came when true freshman defensive back Ronnie Blackmon and Huntley faced each other in the scrimmage. Both have had impressive camps, and you can bet it's a battle that will have its share of highlight moments over the next several years. … Sophomore Kyle Trego, a junior college transfer, and senior Travis Talianko both saw some time at safety. … True freshman Derrion Rakestraw had a nice catch and sideline tightrope for a long gain. … CU corners Isaiah Oliver and Ahkello Witherspoon both had solid plays in coverage.
MESSAGE DELIVERED: There's no doubt CU's coaches are starting to work their way into game-week form, with the Sept. 2 season opener against Colorado State now barely more than two weeks away.
"You make the team this week," MacIntyre told the squad after practice. "This is the week you do it."
WATCH LIST: Colorado tight end Sean Irwin has been named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list. The award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also "exhibits the characteristics that defined Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity." In addition, the nominee must have been born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas high school and/or played at a Texas-based college. Irwin, a senior from Cypress, Texas, is an outstanding blocker and receiver. He caught 15 passes last year for 248 yards for a team-leading 16.5 yards per catch. He was named a preseason third-team all-Pac-12 selection by Phil Steele.
KICKOFF LUNCHEON: The 28th annual Boulder Chamber Kickoff Luncheon is set Friday in Balch Fieldhouse. Doors and the buffet luncheon will begin at 11:15 a.m., with the program scheduled to begin at noon. Special guests will include CU Athletic Director Rick George, MacIntyre, Boulder Chamber President John Tayer and the entire Buffs team and coaching staff. Tickets are available online through Thursday and will be on sale Friday at the event.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will have their final two-a-day session of camp on Wednesday, with a morning practice set for Thursday and an afternoon practice on Friday.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
