Football Practice Report: Aug. 11

BOULDER -- The Colorado Buffaloes conducted their first two-a-day session of fall camp Tuesday, with the afternoon practice in full pads.

Head coach Mike MacIntyre said the Buffs finished installing most of the base offense and defense in the morning practice.

MacIntyre said that while “dead legs” are to be expected at this point of camp, “We got a lot accomplished. ... But they pack 29 practices in before the first game. If it was spread out more, we'd have a better chance of not having dead legs."

Players did receive a break in the weather for the afternoon workout, as cloud cover kept the temperature right around the 80-degree mark, a break from some of the 90-degree days they saw early in camp.

While the Buffs' starting lineup appears to be shaping up as expected in most places, MacIntyre did say there's still competition at kicker, where junior Diego Gonzalez and sophomore Chris Graham are battling for the No. 1 spot.

Graham, a former walk-on, was awarded a scholarship earlier this summer, but MacIntyre said, “It's open. We're keeping stats on it and they're competing. We'll make a decision before long.”

LEAVITT ON GILLAM: Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt was asked after practice about the progress of linebacker Addison Gillam.

Gillam was hampered by illness and injury for much of last season (he still played in 11 games and started 10). The CU junior has gained back the weight he lost, and coaches say he's healthy and ready to go.

“Today I put him out there, and I'm moving him around in different places,” Leavitt said. “Mike (MacIntyre) came up to me and said, 'What do you think?' I said, 'Unbelievable.'

“To come out there and do what he did today was unbelievable. He just has a feel for the game. His instincts, he has great length, he covers ground … I think he's doing really, really well.”

MR. VERSATILE: Former quarterback Jaleel Awini is finding himself in a variety of positions on defense. He's lined up at linebacker and at the nickel, and is also getting some special teams reps.

Awini is the former Air Force quarterback who transferred to CU last season and sat out the year per NCAA rules regarding transfers. MacIntyre said the 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior is having a solid camp.

“He's doing a really good job,” MacIntyre said. “He made some really nice plays (in Monday's scrimmage).”

BACKUP QB RACE: While the starting position is firmly is Sefo Liufau's hands, there's plenty of competition for the backup spot. While incumbent backup Jordan Gehrke is the odds-on favorite, redshirt freshman Cade Apsay has had his moments in camp and true freshman Steven Montez has impressed observers and teammates with his arm strength.

““Gehrke had a good morning and made some nice throws,” MacIntyre said. “I thought Steven showed some composure this morning, kind of getting his feet wet, and I felt good about that. Cade, the first three or four days, was really, really active, like he was at the end of spring. They're all doing a good job.”

SCHEDULE: The Buffs will practice once Wednesday and twice Thursday before having a day off from practice on Friday.

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.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu