Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Look To Young WRs To Fill Fields' Shoes
October 19, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — With Colorado's biggest deep ball threat now sidelined with a sprained ankle, it means one of CU's other young receivers will have a chance to step up this weekend against Oregon State.
The question is whether any of them can fill Shay Fields' shoes when the Buffs hit the field Saturday at Oregon State (8:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
The likely candidate to take Fields' spot in the starting lineup is sophomore Bryce Bobo, who had a solid freshman campaign but has not been a big factor thus far this year. Also figuring into the equation when it comes to stretching the field will be sophomores Devin Ross and Donovan Lee and redshirt freshmen Lee Walker and Jay MacIntyre.
All are capable receivers who have shown the ability to make big plays. But they will still have a difficult time replacing Fields, who Saturday saw the best game of his career end with a sprained ankle. Fields caught eight passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-31 loss to Arizona, suffering the injury on his final catch of the day, a 30-yard touchdown reception.
Fields will almost certainly be out for at least a week or two, a big blow to CU's deep passing game, as it was clear that he was beginning to be one of quarterback Sefo Liufau's favorite targets. The Buff sophomore also had a 72-yard touchdown reception against Arizona — CU's longest play of the year — and he has three of CU's four longest plays this season.
The cupboard, however, isn't bare. Ross hauled in a 68-yard touchdown reception two weeks ago against Arizona State, and Bobo, Lee, MacIntyre and Walker all have the ability to break big plays. MacIntyre has CU's seventh-longest play of the year, a 38-yard touchdown reception against Nicholls.
Last year, Bobo caught 23 passes for 215 yards, with his longest of the season a 38-yard touchdown against UCLA. This year, he's caught 14 passes for 120 yards, with a long of 16. He has yet to see the end zone this year.
"I don't know if the chemistry is 100 percent there between me and Sefo like it is with (Nelson) Spruce and Sefo or Shay and Sefo," Bobo said. "I think that just comes with time. Eventually that chemistry will come and we will make more plays together."
Bobo spent time taking repetitions with the No. 1 offense Monday morning, something he thinks will help improve his timing with Liufau.
"The chemistry will come more this week working with him more," Bobo said. "I think it just comes with being with him in practice and talking to him."
Bobo will be coming off his best game of the season, a six-catch, 51-yard day against Arizona.
"Any receiver would like to get a more balls and get the opportunity to make more plays," Bobo said. "It's a good opportunity for me to step up."
NEMBOT TO STAY ON LEFT SIDE: CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said senior tackle Stephane Nembot will remain on the left side for the time being and Sam Kronshage will stay on the right.
Nembot started the season at right tackle, and Kronshage took over at left tackle in Week 3 when Jeromy Irwin suffered a season-ending knee injury. But when Kronshage went down with a concussion, Nembot moved to the left side. Kronshage returned for the Arizona game and played on the right side.
YOUNG LINEBACKERS: MacIntyre said freshman linebackers Grant Watanabe and N.J. Falo, who split playing time vs. Arizona, had "good and bad" games.
"They played hard and made some plays," MacIntyre said. "They gave up some big big plays, which hurt us. I was hoping that wouldn't happen. But overall, they made some plays. They both have a good future ahead of them."
Watanabe was credited with eight unassisted tackles in the game, including a sack. Falo was credited with five unassisted stops and one assist.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
