Brooks: Tuesday Tidbits

SHORT MEMORIES, NO MEMORIES: The Buffs don't have fond memories of their 2015 opener in Hawai'i. In fact, senior outside linebacker Jimmie Gilbert says he doesn't have any memories at all of the disheartening 28-20 loss.

"I don't really remember the Hawai'i game from last season," said Gilbert, CU's 2015 sack leader with six. "Once that game is over we move onto the next game since there's nothing you can really do about it.

"So as far as approaching this game (CSU on Friday night), we're searching for perfection, we don't want any missteps, no off sides, and everyone doing their responsibilities to be as precise as they can be. If we do what we do better than what they do better we'll come out of there with a win."

The Buffs are 77-44-5 in season openers, with a 6-5-1 record at neutral sites. In Denver, the site of Friday night's game against the Rams, the Buffs are 13-7 overall in season openers.

IS IT A RIVALRY GAME? The fan base at both schools likely will answer yes, as will the coaches. The players? Maybe.

Gilbert's take on the rivalry question: "Yes and no. The reason I say no is because we go week-by-week so every week is a rivalry week for us. We try to give each opponent we have respect, and if you treat your opponent with respect you'll learn about your opponent and that's what we're doing right now."

At any rate it's a season opener and there are few games that can inflate/deflate like the first one.

Fourth-year CU coach Mike MacIntyre, who is 4-1 all-time against CSU (2-1 at CU), contends among the Buffs-Rams fan base, "It's a game that lasts 365 days a year. All the records stay with you, but it's not talked about as much. Being an in-state rivalry game makes it very exciting. Last year you didn't hear about either team's first games talked about as much. It's great for football for this state. That adds an extra pressure to it."

CU quarterback Sefo Liufau, about to face CSU for the third time, called the Rams "a really tough team, especially on defense – those front seven guys they have, especially their linebacking corps."

In CU's 27-24 overtime win last season, Liufau was 15-of-28 passing for 220 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn't sacked or intercepted.

TAKING DOWN HIS TWITTER: The focus on both sides for this game is intense. How intense?

For Liufau this week it meant shutting down his Twitter account. If there's a social media buzz on campus, it's buzzed right by him.

"I took my Twitter down; it's about blocking the noise out," said Liufau, who has made 29 starts (the CU record is 35), has set 75 school records, and is within reach of becoming CU's career passing leader (he's at 7,397 yards, trailing Cody Hawkins' 7,409).

Continued Liufau: "When I go on campus it is about school because you know you are a student first, we are student-athletes as well. There may be a buzz on campus, I'm not really sure. I'm just focused on my teammates, the coaching staff and everyone who's a part of this program because it is a big game for me. It is the first game of the year and you want to start off on the right foot."

WHO'S NO. 2? CU's game-week depth chart lists redshirt freshman Steven Montez and senior Jordan Gehrke as the co-backups behind Liufau. Who would be the first to spell the starter?

Explained QB coach Brian Lindgren: "Going into the game they'll know who the backup is, (but) that's a Coach Mac question."

Lindgren said Montez has been given more reps in practice because Gehrke is the older player and has seen game action. He added that both players "have put themselves in situations where they could help us and move the ball."

WHO'S NO. 1? CSU's game-week depth chart lists an either/or/or situation at quarterback. While MacIntyre didn't quite tell Rams coach Mike Bobo to cut the gamesmanship, he believes the Buffs defense will get the first look at incumbent starter Nick Stevens.

"My personal opinion is that they'll play Nick Stevens, but I don't know," MacIntyre said. "We'll be ready for whatever they do and we'll have to stop them with whoever walks out there. That could change within the course of a game."

Bobo's other options are senior transfer Faton Bauta or true freshman Colin Hill. Stevens completed 25 of 39 passes for 282 yards and one TD last season against CU.

Gilbert said in preparing for three QBs, "You always have to be aware of what a quarterback can do. Some quarterbacks are better runners, others are better passers. CSU has some well-rounded quarterbacks, so me as an outside linebacker playing at the defensive end position the quarterback isn't someone I'm really looking at.

"I'm looking at the running backs, the offensive line and the receivers because those are the guys that I'm responsible for. I have to play coverages and set the edges, and I have to stop the run. After we do all that, when it comes time to pass then I'll worry about the quarterback. Then I'll worry about rushing the edge and putting him on the ground when I can."

BUT FIRST, STOP THE RUN: MacIntyre's bigger concern than who opens at QB is CSU's large offensive line and running backs Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews.

"It's going to be a tough task, because their offensive line is good and they're going to give it to Dawkins and Izzy (Matthews)," MacIntyre said.

"They're going to run the football. Mike's always done a great job of running the football. They ran it really well on us last year. That's a big part of their game. That's something we've got to be able to slow down. I still think they're going to be able to make some runs, because they run it well and their line is good. We can't give up as many explosive plays as we did. It's going to be a tough night. Our D-Line has got to come to play. They pushed us around last year."

In last season's game, the Rams outgained the Buffs 500-345 yards in total offense, with 218 of CSU's yards on the ground. Dawkins rushed for 118 yards on 20 carries.

REALLY, REALLY LIKING HIS GUYS: MacIntyre's fourth CU team is his most talented, his most experienced, and by all indications should be his best. What's there for MacIntyre not to like about the 2016 Buffs?

He can't find anything.

"I really like this football team; I've said it a lot," he said. "I get excited when I talk about this football team. This is by far the most talent and the best football we've had in the four years I've been here. Now we've got to go do it on Saturdays, and Friday nights and Thursday nights.

"I'm really happy to see what they do. We'll have some tough moments and exhilarating moments. Watching these young men grow up in front of my eyes has been fun. This team can make the step in the right direction."

Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU

Colorado University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jordan Gehrke

Jimmie Gilbert

Sefo Liufau

Steven Montez

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