University of Colorado Athletics
Football Practice Report: Aug. 10
August 10, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — The morning after getting their first look at their new Champions Center home, the Colorado Buffaloes got back to business.
Monday was the Buffs' first full-pads practice of fall camp, and they used their fifth practice of the preseason to get in some scrimmage work in Folsom Stadium. The coaching staff pushed the team through a rigorous 86-play scrimmage that took approximately one hour and 20 minutes.
“It went well,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “They got after it. We're fresh right now. We had a day off yesterday (Sunday), so I thought it went real well. Nobody got seriously hurt, which is awesome.”
The Buffs worked through a variety of situations involving clock and yardage, and also got in some special teams work.
BARNETT, GRAHAM AT PRACTICE: Former CU head coach Gary Barnett attended Monday morning's practice. Barnett led the Buffs to a Big 12 title in 2001, along with four Big 12 North Division titles and five bowl appearances.
Barnett, who will also be inducted into the Northwestern Hall of Fame later in September, now works as an analyst for the USA Sports Network. He'll call a college game every week throughout the season, and will also call a handful of NFL contests.
Barnett said the new Champions Center is “terrific,” and said it will no doubt help the program in variety of areas, from recruiting to player development.
Along with the coach of the last CU team to win a conference title, the 2001 squad was also represented at Monday's practice by one of its star players, tight end Daniel Graham.
Graham, who went on to play 11 years in the NFL (Patriots, Broncos, Titans, Saints) after his final season with the Buffs, returned to school earlier this year and earned his degree in the spring.
Graham looked longingly at the new Champions Center and said it will no doubt play a role in helping the program.
“When it came to recruiting, one thing we couldn't compete with the rest of the country in was facilities,” Graham said. “It won't be like that anymore. With these facilities, it won't be a reason we lost a recruit.”
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will hit the field Tuesday for their first day of two-a-days in fall camp. They'll practice at 8:35 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Neither workout is open to the public.
The next public workout will be Saturday's scrimmage at 8:30 a.m. CU will also host a select-a-seat event and hold a “Season Ticket Holder Selfie Session” on the field after the scrimmage.
Gates will open at 8 a.m. and fans can park for free in lot 436 (enter off of Regent Drive just south of Colorado Ave). Gates on the east and west side of Folsom Field will be open and concessions will be open on the east concourse.
The select-a-seat event, now in its second year, allows fans to pick seats that are available for purchase so they know the exact location and perspective they can count on when action is taking place on the field. Season ticket holders will then be invited onto the field after the scrimmage for a selfie session, when they can take photos and meet current players and coaches.
