Football Practice Report: Aug. 16

BOULDER – One day after their second major scrimmage and third two-a-day session of fall camp, the Colorado Buffaloes were back on the practice field Sunday morning.

Saturday night's session was cut short by a few minutes because of lighting in the area. There were no such issues Sunday morning, as the CU coaching staff put the Buffs through a full workout that included plenty of group work, along with some end-of-half situational drills that had both the offense and defense working on their pace of play by simulating two-minute situations.

Sunday's workout was the 13th of camp, meaning the Buffs are approaching the halfway mark of the allowed 29 practices in fall camp. It's now also less than three weeks away from the Sept. 3 season opener in Hawai'i.

“We're improving,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “I see all the things we worked on in the offseason still staying with us, the strength, the stamina. That's good.”

MacIntyre also said the Buffs emerged from Saturday's scrimmage with no serious injuries. Defensive lineman Samson Kafovalu was nicked up in the scrimmage, but MacIntyre said Sunday morning, “He's fine.”

What's also becoming clear is that the Buffs are moving closer toward a new depth chart — although MacIntyre is always quick to note that his depth charts are always “pencil” depth charts that can change daily.

One position that's close to being settled, MacIntyre said, is linebacker.

“We're rotating some guys in, and we still haven't decided who exactly is the twos, but we're close,” MacIntyre said. “That's a good thing, a really good thing. It's a long season and your twos and threes are going to have to play a little as it goes along.”

Other positions that are still seeing plenty of rotation during practice are running back, wide receiver and the secondary, particularly safety.

At wide receiver, MacIntyre and receivers coach Troy Walters have both said the goal is to create versatility, with players able to play all three receiver spots.

“As many plays as we play, they're all going to play,” MacIntyre said. “We need seven to eight receivers to play, especially in a 13-game season. They'll just keep working and go from there. Do it on a rotation-type basis and see how it goes.”

PRAISE FOR AWINI: Former Air Force quarterback Jaleel Awini is making “great strides” at linebacker, according to MacIntyre.

“He did well in the spring, but the last 12 practices, every day he is just making great strides. He's really athletic, really quick,” MacIntyre said.

As would be the case with any player switching from quarterback to defense, MacIntyre said there was a concern about how quickly he would adapt to making tackles instead of trying to avoid them. Those concerns have been allayed for Awini, who has two years of eligibility left after sitting out last season as a transfer.

“Now he understands everything, he's running and hitting — I'm really excited about Jaleel,'' MacIntyre said.

Awini is getting his share of reps at the outside linebacker spot.

“I think he's enjoying know that he's going to play and not stand on the sidelines and signal,” MacIntyre said. “That's the hard thing about quarterback — if you are the backup, you are only playing if something goes terrible, terrible, or if the other guy gets hurt.

“The other way you are playing special teams, you are running in and out on defense, you are able to contribute in the game. I think he's excited about that.”

SCHEDULE: The Buffs will practice twice Monday and once Tuesday, take a day off from practice on Wednesday and then have two sessions on Thursday.

Friday's practice, tentatively scheduled for 9:50 a.m., will be the last workout of camp open to the public.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu