Brooks: After Successful Surgery, Liufau Vows To Return, Compete

BOULDER – Sefo Liufau had learned to play with and through pain, and no one ever questioned his ability to do either. But on Friday night, Nov. 13, it wasn't so much that Liufau's luck ran out as his body finally succumbing – at least in part – to his game's mayhem.

Near the end of the first quarter of Colorado's game against Southern California, Liufau's left foot had the misfortune to be trapped under one or more of USC's defensive linemen.

Right away, Liufau, the Buffs' quarterback, thought this injury wasn't like the shoulder he hurt against Colorado State, the concussion he suffered last season, or any of the myriad minor ailments that come a QB's way from September through late November.

“I tried to stand up then went back down on my knees . . . I had the feeling that this one finally got me,” Liufau said.

It got him good, which was bad for him and the Buffs.

On Tuesday, four days after surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury to his left mid-foot, Liufau addressed the media wearing a black CU warm-up suit and a black cast covering his left lower leg. A pair of crutches was propped up next to him.

Liufau left Folsom Field on that Friday night two weeks ago knowing his junior season was finished. So is next spring, and his availability for the 2016 season depends on his progress during a rehabilitative period that could last over six months.

“Knowing me I'll try and push the timeline,” Liufau said.

That's not surprising; it's been his mindset since he arrived on campus. His coach, Mike MacIntyre, isn't the least bit skeptical about Liufau's drive to heal and return. But MacIntyre knows recovery from a Lisfranc injury can't be hurried.

“Lisfranc is not a guarantee,” MacIntyre said when questioned about CU's quarterback competition still being open when the Buffs begin August camp. “You want to say (recovery) can be done in four, five or six months. I've had some guys come back in that time . . . he does have a redshirt year available but first and foremost is the health of Sefo.”

Whether he's able to return next fall or later, Liufau's goal is clear: “I expect to compete and win my spot back.”

The night after surgery, which he said “went perfectly fine,” Liufau received a text from former CU and NFL quarterback Kordell Stewart, who congratulated Liufau on his passing records and offered support.

“It was cool and it definitely lightened my mood the night after,” Liufau said. “I'm blessed to have the support of guys like that.”

Liufau said his Lisfranc injury was torn ligaments in his foot rather than any broken bones. After the game, which CU lost 27-24, he spoke with former CU and NFL linebacker Chad Brown, who suffered a similar injury near the end of his pro career.

“He talked to me about the rehab and not to push it,” Liufau recalled. “It was a comfortable feeling knowing it wasn't career ending for him.”

Before he was injured, Liufau appeared on the way to banner night in the Buffs offense. He had completed 6-of-8 passes for 84 yards and helped stake CU to a 7-3 lead. Moreover, said MacIntyre, his starting QB had been as precise in practice as at any time during the season.

Had he remained in the game, Liufau surely would have passed for the 13 yards he needed to break the school's record for career passing yards (7,410). He did become CU's career total offense leader (7,842), but he said leaving the game that close to another record wasn't as frustrating as simply leaving the game and having his season end.

“It's just another reminder that things can be taken away from you in a split second,” he said.

CU's starter last weekend at Washington State was Cade Apsay, who also will open on Saturday in the regular-season finale at Utah (12:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks). Apsay, a redshirt freshman, is one of three scholarship quarterbacks who will compete in spring drills – the others being junior Jordan Gehrke and true freshman Steven Montez.

Liufau didn't make the trip to WSU – a 27-3 CU loss – and is uncertain about his travel to Salt Lake City. He currently needs to elevate his foot as much as possible and doesn't know what his doctor, the team doctors, trainers and coaches think about him traveling.

“If it were up to me I would go,” he said, adding it was “very weird” to be at home last weekend while the Buffs were playing. “I knew the game plan from going to meetings all week. It was frustrating; being the person I am I wanted to help. But I can't really do that on the couch with my foot up.”

MacIntyre said a decision on Liufau making the SLC trip would be made later this week. But if it was up to Apsay, Liufau already would be packing his bag.

“I'd love for him to be on the sidelines,” said Apsay, who completed 26 of 40 passes in his first start for 238 yards. He was intercepted twice and sacked four times. “It's kind of the same as having coach (Brian) Lindgren there – that extra voice and extra ears.”

Apsay said Liufau's help has been invaluable over the last two weeks: “Just being a quarterback in general, I looked up to him at the beginning of fall camp. His work ethic, watching film, how he prepares . . . he's a great role model.”

Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU