Practice Report, Day 4: MacIntyre Likes Buffs' Effort With Big Plays On Both Sides
August 01, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — CU coach Mike MacIntyre was pleased with the Buffs fourth practice of camp Tuesday, also their second day in "shells" (shoulder pads and helmets).
"I wanted to see how we would rebound after our first 'pad' day yesterday because they were a little bit sore today," MacIntyre said. "We practiced better today than we did yesterday, which I thought was very encouraging."
The Buffs worked on some situational team drills Tuesday, including their first look at red zone situations. Those drills, MacIntyre said, are extremely important in the learning process.
"You can emphasize it and teach really well off of tape," he said. "As camp goes along, we can make cut-ups (from film) of those areas and we can show them all the things, how they've improved and different techniques they can improve on."
Knowing what to do and how to react in certain situations, he said, are key because players can then react accordingly when those situations occur in a game.
"Distance on third downs, in the red zone, when they're backed up, after a turnover, all those situations those kids have to understand, so we practice them a lot," he said. "You can be telling them in a game, but if they haven't practiced it … when they get out there, they can take a deep breath and then all of a sudden they make a play and something doesn't hurt you. Those are the difference makers between winning and losing games."
MacIntyre said the Buffs will continue with some additional situational work Thursday, their first day in full pads.
"Thursday we'll have a little red zone compete, a little goal line and that type of thing," he said.
PRACTICE NOTES: With competition perhaps as fierce as wide receiver as any position, it's no surprise that wideouts are making plays on a regular basis in practice. Tuesday, it was K.D. Nixon, Jay MacIntyre, Bryce Bobo and Johnny Huntley all coming up with big catches. Quarterback Steven Montez hit Nixon on a perfect fade route in the corner of the end zone in red zone drills, then found MacIntyre with a beautifully thrown deep ball, with MacIntyre going up and out-battling a defender for the catch. Huntley had a nice catch off the arm of Sam Noyer, who threw a rope to the corner of the end zone, and Noyer added another nice strike to Nixon, who caught the ball just past midfield, then made a nifty move on a defender to break free. … Running backs Michael Adkins II and Beau Bisharat both had some nice runs, with Adkins showing good burst. ... CU's defensive backs, meanwhile, are also getting their share of big plays. Buff back Ryan Moeller had a pass breakup at the goal line, Trey Udoffia had a couple of knockdowns and Dante Wigley came up with an interception. …
Up front, senior left tackle Jeromy Irwin delivered a crushing block on a pass to the flat. Irwin, a team captain, is having a solid camp and it's obvious he wants to make his final year with the Buffs a memorable one. … Senior defensive end Tim Coleman had some nice moments in one-on-one pass drills. … Offensive linemen Isaac Miller, Josh Kaiser, Colby Pursell and Chance Lytle are all showing they are ready to provide the Buffs with some solid depth up front. … Lyle Tuiloma is getting some quality snaps on the defensive line. ...
But the play of the day may have been delivered by backup quarterback T.J. Patterson on a field goal attempt. Patterson, serving as the holder, calmly went up to grab a high snap and got the ball down in plenty of time for James Stefanou to boot a 42-yard field goal (who made the kick with plenty of room to spare). It was the kind of play that could be a difference-maker in a tight game.
BUFFS BITS: Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan (KKFN-FM) on Tuesday announced today the addition of former Buffs star Mike Pritchard as a contributor, beginning next week. Pritchard will co-host the "Pritchard and Cecil" program, weekdays from 9 to 10 a.m., alongside Cecil Lammey starting Aug. 16. The offensive MVP of the Buffs' 1990 national championship team, Pritchard played at CU from 1987 to 1990 before becoming a first-round draft pick (No. 13 overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991. He played nine seasons in the NFL with stops in Atlanta, Denver and Seattle. ... Former Buffs and NFL standout linebacker Chad Brown will perform color commentary for the Pac-12 Network for the Sept. 1 Colorado-Colorado State game. Brown, a defensive stalwart for the Buffs from 1989-92, played 14 seasons in the NFL with Pittsburgh, Seattle and New England. ... Team officials said freshman Sebastian Olver has left the team and returned home to Australia due to family reasons.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will have Wednesday off, then put on full pads for the first time in camp on Thursday. CU will conduct a scrimmage Saturday that is open to the public, with practice scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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