Lindsay Says Buffs' Bond Grew Strong Over Summer

BOULDER — Phillip Lindsay doesn't just bubble with enthusiasm and intensity.

He fairly boils, overflowing with an energy that is almost palpable, a force field that envelops virtually everyone within his sphere. It is a personality that has made him a fan and media favorite, and one that also earned him the designation as a team captain for the 2016 Colorado Buffaloes, a honor bestowed upon him by his teammates earlier this summer.

There's no doubt that Lindsay, a fourth-year junior running back, has earned his bones. He led the Buffs in rushing a year ago, finishing with 653 yards and six touchdowns on 140 carries. He tied for third-best on the team in receiving, grabbing 26 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown.

But those numbers, he says, are not important. As the Denver South prep product prepares for his fourth season in black and gold, Lindsay has one simple message.

It's time to win.

"It's definitely time," Lindsay said Tuesday morning, one day before he and 104 of his teammates are scheduled to report for the opening of the Buffs' 2016 fall camp. "A lot of us are older. We've been here a while. We've seen what it takes. Now it's time for us to come together as a team, use each other, help each other and get wins. No more excuses, no more coming close. It's time to win."

Lindsay emerged from this year's spring drills as the No. 1 back on CU's depth chart, ahead of fellow veterans Donovan Lee and Michael Adkins. He earned the spot by doing what he's always done — working as hard as possible.

But Lindsay shrugs his shoulders at the No. 1 designation. In August, he knows it's little more than a starting point — a "pencil" depth chart, as head coach Mike MacIntyre is quick to remind anyone who asks.

"It just means I have to go into camp and keep it," Lindsay says. "What really matters is that I have to be ready to do whatever it takes for us to win games — run the ball, catch the ball, pass block, everything. I have to have my teammates' back in every situation. That's what matters."

Lindsay is the consummate team player. Ask him about his game and his goals, and the conversation invariably veers toward the team — specifically wins and losses.

The Buffs have endured far more of the former than they have enjoyed the latter in Lindsay's time in Boulder. They've been close — a word that causes many Buffs to flinch these days — almost too many times to count, and they enter this season with not only the optimism that a new year always brings, but with a confidence that comes with experience and an edge honed by all those near misses.

"The pieces to the puzzle are there now," Lindsay said. "I really think this is the strongest bond this team has had since I've been here. We all came in together and we've been through a lot. It's important to us to leave a legacy, something to remember. I think we all have that mindset."

Much of that bond, Lindsay said, has been forged in the offseason. It has come in the weightroom, with the help of new strength and conditioning coach Drew Wilson. It has come in the player-run practices, the volunteer workouts that Lindsay said were "the best since I've been here."

Lindsay is one of five team captains elected by the players. Others are quarterback Sefo Liufau, linebacker Kenneth Olugbode, tight end/H-back George Frazier and offensive tackle Jeromy Irwin.

All have played a role in bringing the team together over the summer. The message, Lindsay said, has been one of focusing on the big picture.

"The big thing this year has been putting pride to the side," Lindsay said. "It's understanding that we're doing it for the team. When someone says something, it's not challenging your manhood or putting anyone down. We're trying to make each other stronger, make each other better. I really think it has made us stronger and now we're ready to go to war together."

One major difference from spring to summer, Lindsay said, was the presence of quarterback Sefo Liufau, who was unable to participate in spring drills as he rehabilitated a Lisfranc foot injury.

"Just having him there for 7-on-7, just his presence, made a big difference," Lindsay said. "There's just something about him being there that brought everybody together. Everybody respects him, everybody wants to play for him. He got right back in the groove and you can tell he's ready."

And, Lindsay said, there was one other thing that became quite apparent in the summer workouts.

CU's defense is ready.

"They're going to do their thing," Lindsay said. "You can just tell. They're ready. Our defense is going to be some monsters."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu