CU Notes: Irwin, Frazier Return To Boost Buffs
September 16, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — While Colorado seniors Jeromy Irwin and George Frazier were no doubt glad to be back on the field Saturday after missing the first two games of the season, the happiest person over their return may have been running back Phillip Lindsay.
The CU senior celebrated the return of his tight end and left tackle by rushing for 151 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in Colorado's 41-21 win over Northern Colorado.
"When G5 (Frazier) is in the game, it's like night and day for me," Lindsay said. "He's a workhorse. I know when he's in there, he's going to be knocking people around for me. He's not selfish. For a man to do that, then go back out there and play defense — that's amazing. A lot of people don't understand how important he is to our team."
Frazier did indeed see action on both sides of the ball, lining up at tight end on offense, adding an extra blocker for the run game and pass protection; then heading back out on the field to play on the defensive line, where he was credited with a pair of tackles.
"I had a lot of fun," Frazier said. "I've always enjoyed playing both ways and I'm used to it. It was just nice to get back out on the field."
Irwin's return was a boost to an offensive line that had perhaps its best day of the season.
"It felt great," Irwin said. "A little rusty, obviously, but overall it felt great to just get back on the field and get things together again."
Irwin and his teammates will now spend the week getting ready for next Saturday's Pac-12 opener with Washington at Folsom Field (8 p.m., FS1).
"It's going to have to be us coming out next week and working hard," Irwin said. "Getting our technique cleaned up and getting ready for the Huskies is the main thing."
Irwin's return was part of a shuffled CU offensive line that was also affected by an injury to starting center Jonathan Huckins, who did not play Saturday. The lineup included Irwin at left tackle, Gerrad Kough at left guard, Tim Lynott Jr. at center, Aaron Haigler at right guard and Josh Kaiser at right tackle.
LINDSAY NUMBERS: Phillip Lindsay had his 8th career 100-yard rushing game (26-151, 1 touchdown) and moved into eighth on CU's all-time list (2,611), surpassing Herchell Troutman and James Mayberry. He also moved past Eric Bieniemy into second on CU's all-time all-purpose yardage list with 4,439.
FRESHMAN IMPACT: Colorado linebacker Jacob Callier continues to have an impact. The true freshman is a regular on pass rush situations, and Saturday recorded a fumble recovery that led to CU's second touchdown of the day.
FIRST TIME 3-0: In his 28 seasons as an assistant or head coach in the pro and college ranks, this is the first time CU's Mike MacIntyre has opened a season 3-0. He has had several 2-0 starts, including three at CU. MacIntyre's team has also won eight straight at Folsom Field (6-0 last year), the longest home win streak for the Buffs since they won 10 straight from 1993-95.
WR NUMBERS: CU's Shay Fields moved past Paul Richardson into fourth place on CU's all-time receptions chart, bumping his total to 163. He is also now seventh in receiving yards (2,186) and is tied with Michael Westbrook for sixth in TD receptions with 19. … WR Devin Ross is now tied for 11th all time in receptions (111) and 13th in receiving yards (1,344).
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS: Cornerback Isaiah Oliver recorded an interception for the second straight game and now has three career picks. … LB Rick Gamboa, CU's active leader in tackles, went over the 200 mark on Saturday for his career.
MONTEZ NUMBERS: Along with career highs in attempts (41), completions (29), yards (357) and touchdowns (4), quarterback Steven Montez is now 3-0 in career starts at Folsom Field. Overall, Montez has a 174.7 QB rating in five appearances at Folsom, with 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns in those games. Montez also had his second game with 400 total offensive yards (357 passing, 68 rushing). Only three other players — Koy Detmer, Mike Moschetti and Sefo Liufau — have at least two career 400-yard games.
LEWIS VS. UW: Colorado linebacker Drew Lewis began his college career at Washington before transferring to Coffeyville CC after his freshman year. "It's kind of personal because I still know some guys there," Lewis said, "but the main thing is we want to go out there next week and play Colorado football. That's what's important to me."
TARGETING CALLS: The Buffs lost two players to targeting calls, safety Afolabi Laguda in the first half and defensive lineman Chris Mulumba in the second. Laguda had to sit out the second half and will be eligible to play against Washington. Mulumba must miss the first half of the UW game.
"We've got to do a better job of making sure our guys target lower," head coach Mike MacIntyre said "Sometimes they're trying to get up there and hit the passer while they're throwing it and they come down. We've got to do a better job of that."
KICKING WELL: CU's 30-year-old freshman kicker, James Stefanou, is now a perfect 10-for-10 on PATs and is 6-for-7 on field goals after connecting on tries from 34 and 33 yards out Saturday. "He has great confidence," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "He's a phenomenal talent. You see how quick and high he gets that ball out."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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