Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Hold Thursday Walkthrough Indoors
October 22, 2015 | Neill Woelk
BOULDER — For the second day in a row, inclement weather forced the Colorado Buffaloes to utilize alternate practice facilities.
On Wednesday, rain pushed the Buffs to nearby Boulder High and Recht Field's artificial turf. The Buffs couldn't use their own artificial turf field because CU crews are currently erecting the practice bubble on that field, a process that takes several days; and CU's rain-soaked natural turf fields were not an option.
Thursday, the Buffs moved their normally scheduled walkthrough to Balch Fieldhouse. The Buffs split up the workout, with the defense going through its normal routine, then the offense. Members of the CU support crew even taped yard lines on the fieldhouse floor.
“It all actually worked out OK for us,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “We were able to go to Boulder High on Wednesday and got our practice in. We usually do our walkthroughs on Thursday, anyway, so it worked out to be in the fieldhouse today.”
Thursday's practice was lively, with players seeming to enjoy the experience of practicing indoors.
“I think it kind of broke up the monotony a little bit,” MacIntyre said. “They were actually focused a little bit more.”
Under normal circumstances, practicing in the rain would be perfect preparation for a game in Oregon. The Buffs play at Oregon State on Saturday in an 8:30 p.m. (MT) game at Reser Field (Pac-12 Networks), and all five of CU's previous games in the Pacific Northwest since joining the Pac-12 have been played in rainy conditions.
That's not, however, expected to be the case Saturday, as the forecast for Corvallis calls for temperatures in the mid-60s and little chance of rain.
Of course, inclement weather won't be a practice issue for the Buffs a year from now — or even next spring. The Buffs' indoor practice facility is slated to be finished early in 2016, meaning they'll be able to move indoors at a moment's notice.
If it's still raining Friday morning, MacIntyre said the team would practice at Recht Field again before departing for Oregon later in the day.
