University of Colorado Athletics
Woelk: Positions To Watch In Saturday's Scrimmage
August 13, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — While it's still more than two weeks before the Colorado Buffaloes' season opener (Sept. 3 in Hawai'i), the Buffs are starting to provide answers to some preseason questions.
Saturday, the Buffs will host an open practice, scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at Folsom Field, with some significant scrimmage work on the docket.
After Saturday, just one more practice (Aug. 21) will be open to the public. Here are seven positions to watch in Saturday's scrimmage:
DEFENSIVE LINE: New defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt has said the Buffs will play a “hybrid” defense that will incorporate a variety of formations. The Buffs were the worst team in the Pac-12 a year ago against the run, and it's been a focus of this year's camp. Who's standing out on the interior line will be a key.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Yes, we know that Nelson Spruce and Shay Fields will be the go-to guys for quarterback Sefo Liufau. But who among the group of Donovan Lee, Lee Walker, Bryce Bobo, Devin Ross and Jay MacIntyre will separate themselves from the group? In an offense that plays three wideouts on a regular basis, this will be fun to watch.
KICKERS: Earlier this summer, walk-on Chris Graham was awarded a scholarship. But head coach Mike MacIntyre says that doesn't mean Graham has won the job. MacIntyre says the job is still “wide open,” and he'll use the scrimmage setting in Folsom Field as a way to judge how Graham, Diego Gonzalez and freshman Alex Kinney react under pressure.
RUNNING BACK: While a “running back by committee” approach is a likely scenario, MacIntyre and running backs coach Klayton Adams have expressed a hope that two of the backs might separate themselves from the pack. Thus far, Christian Powell, Phillip Lindsay and Michael Adkins II have all had their moments in camp, but it will still be interesting to see if any of them take charge and establish themselves as the leader. You also never know what some of the freshmen may offer. Rookies in college find out that catching balls out of the backfield and blocking in pass protection are equally important to their running abilities, and how they react in live contact will be interesting.
LINEBACKER: This is an interesting position, simply because Leavitt's new defense has created some hybrid positions, situations in which a defensive end might actually be more of an outside linebacker/rush end, depending on what the offense does. At inside linebacker, Addison Gillam and Kenneth Olugbode are entrenched as the starters — but even there, some youngsters are getting some repetitions with the top unit, and Leavitt has said they are experimenting with moving Gillam to some different spots in different formations.
QUARTERBACK: Yes, Liufau is the starter. No doubt there. But the backup battle will be interesting. Incumbent backup Jordan Gehrke has looked good in camp, Cade Apsay has had his moments, and true freshman Steven Montez has impressed his teammates with his arm.
SECONDARY: The Buffs are deep and experienced at safety, with Tedric Thompson, Evan White, Ryan Moeller and Jered Bell bringing plenty to the table. There's also plenty of experience at the corner with Ken Crawley, Chidobe Awuzie, Ahkello Witherspoon and John Walker. But the big question here is a simple one: can they force turnovers this year instead of just knocking down passes? Not that coaches want to see a Buff QB throw an interception in a scrimmage, but truth is, it wouldn't be all bad news if it happened.
Saturday's open practice will also include a select-a-seat event and 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 Avenue). 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
