Colorado University Athletics
Football Practice Report: Aug. 6
August 06, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Day Two, according to Mike MacIntyre, was better than Day One.
If the Colorado Buffaloes can continue with that trend through fall camp, they'll be in great shape Sept. 3, when they open the season at Hawai'i.
Of course, every coach worth his whistle knows that fall camp has its ups and downs. The Buffs still have relatively fresh legs, there's still a hint of excitement in the air, and the dog days of August won't start barking in a big way until next week, when the Buffs begin two-a-day practices every other day.
But so far, so good. The Buffs had plenty of pep in their step Tuesday, and unlike MacIntyre's first two fall camps at CU, he and his staff are finding themselves with a little more time to evaluate and fine tune, rather than simply installing the basics.
“There's not as much X's and O's teaching,” MacIntyre said. “We're trying to see where we are personnel wise. There's competition at a lot of positions. We're fine tuning everything, but you're also looking to see if any of the redshirt freshmen are going to step up and where your depth is.”
While MacIntyre said a handful of players have caught his eye in the first two days, he's not ready yet to name names.
“I've seen some guys flash, but I'll wait until we get in pads before I really jump on the bandwagon,” he said with a laugh.
Tuesday's practice was again a helmets-and-shorts workout, with time spent between position drills and some 7-on-7 situations. Monday will be the Buffs' first day in pads and their first two-a-days will be Tuesday.
WATANABE UPDATE: MacIntyre said freshman linebacker Grant Watanabe seems to be fully recovered from a foot injury that has delayed his career for a year.
Watanabe, a member of the 2014 recruiting class, did not enroll until January of this year after he was sidelined by a foot injury. Even after enrolling, he was unable to participate in spring drills, so this is first activity on the field in a Buff uniform.
“It's great to get him out here finally,” MacIntyre said. “He overcame his foot injury. When he got here in January, he weighed 252. Now he weighs 230 and he's in good shape. Yesterday I was pleased with how he worked and how he moved.”
TIME FOR SOLIS TO STEP UP: Nose tackle Justin Solis is finding himself the center of attention on the defensive line.
The Buff senior played in all 12 games last year, but did not start in any of them. He figured to play a bigger role this year, but with last year's starter, Josh Tupou, not on the team this fall, Solis' role has increased significantly.
“Being it's his senior year, it's big,” MacIntyre said. “He's had some good moments in his career here. Definitely without Josh here, it gives him a bigger role.”
The 6-2, 325-pound Solis played 355 snaps last year, recording 33 tackles (15 unassisted) and one quarterback sack.
“He's going to play a little bit more,” MacIntyre said. “He's excited about it and he's getting ready for it. Conditioning is a big thing for Justin, it always is for those big 300-pound guys. He's working at it and staying after it.”
LIUFAU LOOKS SHARP: Not that it should be a surprise, but quarterback Sefo Liufau has been on target his first two days of camp.
The Buff junior, who has started 18 of CU's last 19 contests, has added about five pounds of muscle since last season, and has also spent time improving his footwork and throwing motion. Liufau had 136 yards rushing last season, but was sacked 18 times for 104 yards in losses. It won't be a surprise to anyone if the former number goes up and the latter number drops this season.
“He's 240 pounds, 6-foot-4¼, he's really aligned his body better, he's throwing better and he's moving better,” MacIntyre said. “He looked good moving out there.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY: MacIntyre on how sophomore safety Ryan Moeller has responded to being put on scholarship this year after a year as a walk-on: “I haven't noticed any difference. I've seen the exact same Ryan Moeller, which is what I expected to see. He's working hard and pushing hard.”
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will practice again Friday at 8:35 a.m., with the workout open to the public. Saturday's 7:35 p.m. workout will also be open to the public. After that, just two more practices — Aug. 15 and 21 — will be open.
