Football Practice Report: Aug. 17

BOULDER — The Colorado Buffaloes marked the halfway point of fall camp Monday with a two-a-day session, with players hitting the field in shells for a morning practice before a full-pads workout in the afternoon.

Monday's practices were the 14th and 15th of fall camp; the NCAA allows 29 before the first game. Colorado opens the season with a Sept. 3 game at Hawai'i, scheduled to kick off at 11 p.m. (MDT).

“It goes by faster than you think,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “As a coach, you'd like to have 15 more; as a player you'd like to have 15 less. But they just keep pushing.”

MacIntyre said the Buffs haven't had a “bad” practice thus far in camp, something he attributes to a more experienced and better conditioned team.

“We've had a couple that started slow a little bit, but we haven't had a full bad practice yet,” MacIntyre said. “I think we're stronger and better conditioned and have more maturity, and they know how to go through camp.”

MacIntyre said he continues to be impressed with the progress of junior quarterback Sefo Liufau, who last season set 51 school records. Liufau became the full-time starter as a sophomore after starting seven games as a true freshman. He threw for 3,200 yards and 28 touchdowns last year, but also threw 15 interceptions, a number CU coaches have said needs to be reduced this year.

But, MacIntyre has also reminded fans and media that at least a few of Liufau's interceptions came because the CU quarterback had been thrust into make-or-break situations.

“If we're better on defense and we run the ball a little better, Sefo will get better,” MacIntyre said. “If we're not better on defense and we don't run the ball better, it's all on Sefo.

“But I think those phases are getting better and I think Sefo definitely has improved. He made a huge jump from freshman year to last year. I don't know if he'll make the same jump — if he does, he'll win the Heisman — but i think his jump will be a significant jump.”

Liufau has indeed had a solid camp thus far. He appears to be thoroughly comfortable in the pocket, he's added several pounds of muscle, his footwork has improved and the fact that he's already had plenty of work with veteran receivers Nelson Spruce and Shay Fields is evident in their timing.

“He's really doing well and seeing the field well,” MacIntyre said.

PESAVENTO AT PRACTICE: Former Buff Bob Pesavento, who quarterbacked the 2001 Big 12 championship team, watched Monday morning's practice from the sidelines.

As with all the other alums who have had a chance to take a look at the new Champions Center, Pesavento is impressed with CU's facility upgrade.

“It's a chance to really grow some momentum,” Pesavento said. “If they can win some games this year, maybe go to a bowl, and then bring recruits in to see that facility, it will make a big difference. I really do think it will be a big help in bringing the program back to what it needs to be.”

Pesavento still lives in the Denver area, where he handles business development in the western United States for Willis, a global insurance broker. He also still does some weekend television and radio work, and will provide color commentary for a couple Buff road games this year.

SCOUTS ON HAND: CU's fall camp has always been a stopping point for NFL scouts, and this year is no different. A number of teams have already had representatives at CU workouts this year, with the Redskins, Texans, Jets and Vikings on hand Monday.

VERSATILE FRAZIER: Buff sophomore George Frazier is focusing on offense this season, a year after he played both offense and defense.

This year, Frazier is listed as a fullback, but in reality, he can also line up as a tight end and H-back.

“There's a lot of things he can do,” MacIntyre said. “He catches the ball well, he runs the ball well, he blocks well. We're using him in all those different situations. His ability to block, his ability to clear out on routes .. he's able to do that. He's very significant in that area.”

Last year, Frazier caught five passes for 35 yards and three touchdowns; ran the ball five times for four yards and one touchdown; and also finished with 15 tackles while playing on the defensive line.

RUNNING BACK PLANS: MacIntyre and running backs coach Klayton Adams have several times expressed a hope that a couple of CU's running backs would separate themselves from the pack, but MacIntyre said Monday that the decision on who will get the majority of repetitions in the first game hasn't yet been made.

“We're still going to play a few guys,” MacIntyre said. “We'll make that decision when we get to the week of the first game, exactly how we're going to do that. Then the other guys, we'll have them on (special teams). They're all such good athletes, we have to have them in other areas.”

ON WITHERSPOON: Buff junior Ahkello Witherspoon had been seeing plenty of time at cornerback with the Buffs' No. 1 defense recently, but a sore arch has sidelined him for a couple of days. MacIntyre, though, said he expects Witherspoon back at full speed soon.

Witherspoon appeared in five games on defense last year after a slow start because of a back injury. He finished with 12 tackles, two pass deflections and one third-down stop.

“He's made a good jump,” MacIntyre said of Witherspoon's play compared to last year. “He's playing with a lot more confidence out there. He has a good range, he understands how to play these guys, he understands that every guy he goes up against has got speed.

“That's the difference when you get to another level, that every guy is good. I think he's figured that out.”

CHAMPIONS CENTER TOURS: Folks interested in getting a first-hand look at the new Champions Center will have a chance Friday after the 27th annual Boulder Chamber Colorado Football Kickoff Luncheon in Balch Fieldhouse.

Doors for the luncheon open at 11:15 a.m., with the program beginning at noon. Individual tickets are $35, tables for 10 can be purchased for $350 and table sponsorships are available for $1,000.

A tour of the Champions Center will be held after the luncheon.

For registration information, click here.

SCHEDULE: The Buffs will practice just once Tuesday, an evening session. They'll have a day off Wednesday, practice twice Thursday and once on Friday.

Friday's workout, scheduled to start at 9:50 a.m., is the last session of fall camp open to the public.