Buffs Begin Prep For CSU; O-line Taking Shape

BOULDER — Two-a-days are over, classes have begun and the Colorado Buffaloes are now in full-scale game-plan mode for their Sept. 2 nationally televised season opener vs. Colorado State in Denver (6 p.m., ESPN).

Monday, the Buffs began working on some CSU specifics in practice, taking their first crack at installing a game plan for the Rams. That meant players getting their first look at what their playbook for the game will entail, as well as a look at what CU coaches think they'll see from the Rams.

The coaching staff has actually been prepping for much of the summer, and they spent the weekend digging even deeper into their opening opponent. MacIntyre said he's been impressed with the game film he's seen from last season.

"We worked on a lot of it this summer to be ready and we've been working hard this weekend on CSU," MacIntyre said. "Watching their last five, six games they drastically kept improving. I'm extremely impressed with their offensive line. They're big, they're good, they played for a while together. I'm really impressed with their offensive line and their running backs and their quarterback, I really am. As the season went along, those areas kept getting stronger and stronger and stronger. We've got to be ready to handle those guys."

The Rams held a scrimmage over the weekend and according to statistics released by the school, the offense enjoyed a stellar day, rushing for 577 yards. True freshman Marvin Kinsey led all rushers with 157 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries while 2015 starting quarterback Nick Stevens was 8-for-10 passing for 107 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Also on the CU coaching staff docket over the next week will be the process of continuing to establish a two-deep depth chart. A number of positions have already been decided, but there are still a handful of spots where the competition is making the race too close to call at the moment.

"Some of them are cemented and some will go down to the wire," MacIntyre said. "In the game, at some of those positions, we'll play a couple guys if there's not a huge separation."

One area that has sorted itself out throughout camp has been the offensive line. The Buffs opened camp with left tackle Jeromy Irwin as the only guaranteed starter, but there seems to be little doubt now that Gerrad Kough has nailed down the job at left guard, incumbent starter Alex Kelley has the edge at center and redshirt freshman Tim Lynott Jr. is the narrow leader at right guard.

That, however, still leaves right tackle. O-line coach Klayton Adams said Monday there are still three players — Sam Kronshage, Aaron Haigler and Shane Callahan — battling for the spot.

"The difference is not a lot because all of them kind of bring something different to the table," Adams said. "Ultimately I think the guy that ends up starting at that position is the guy who does the most things well."

As for the other spots, Adams said Kough has "probably been the most consistent guy through camp."

Kough, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound junior, started 10 games last year and has 12 career starts under his belt. A proven run blocker, Adams said Kough has also made solid strides in his pass protection.

"He's had a really good camp," Adams said. "He's starting to play with a little bit better technique in pass protection and he comes off the ball really well in the run game. He is a little bit of a quiet guy, but he's actually become kind of a pillar of strength for the group and a little bit of a leader just because of the way he works and the way he conducts himself."

When camp opened, the top of the depth chart at center listed Kelley and junior Jonathan Huckins as co-No. 1s.

Kelley, Adams said, has edged ahead, but, "He's going to continue to get pushed because I think Jon Huckins is a really good player too. Alex has definitely gotten better. I like his attitude right now because he knows it's a process-based thing, not an end-result based thing."

As for right guard, Adams said, "I would say we're relatively set on what we're going to do, but you get some young guys that haven't played in games, you've got to have other guys ready, so that's where we're at there."

For Irwin, camp has meant shaking the rust off and getting back into "contact" shape. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound junior suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last season, and then missed all of spring ball rehabbing the injury.

"Jeromy's had a good camp," Adams said. "He's been strong, he's been able to improve every week. There's always kind of an up and down for any guy, but he's definitely improved. The biggest area he's improved at is being able to react. When things happen really fast in a football game, they're going to do what they know the best, regardless of what you told them or showed them on film, and I think he's improved in that area."

LIUFAU IMPROVEMENT: Headed into last week, it was evident that senior quarterback Sefo Liufau was still getting back into a rhythm after missing the end of last year and all of spring ball because of a foot injury.

Last week, though, Liufau had by far his best week of camp, improving his accuracy as well as his defensive reads and reaction time.

"Early in fall camp I was just concerned how he was running on his foot," MacIntyre said. "He took care of that well. Now he has a good feel for exactly everything we're doing. The last few practices he's been extremely accurate and mastered everything, got his vision back. He's looked excellent to me."

CHANCELLOR ADAMS UPDATE: "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" will provide an update Tuesday on Chancellor Lee Adams, the son of former Colorado receiver Rae Carruth. Adams, who has been raised by his grandmother, has been the recipient of substantial assistance from Buffs4Life, an organization of former CU athletes whose stated goal is "Buffs helping Buffs."

SCHEDULE: The Buffs will practice again in the morning Tuesday and Wednesday before moving to evening practices Thursday and Friday.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu