Buffs Say Ranking Nice Recognition, But Trojans Top On Their Minds

BOULDER — Monday was the first time the No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes had a chance this season to answer questions from the media about being ranked in the nation's top 25.

Actually, it's the first time any CU football players have had the chance to answer such questions since 2005, the last time the Buffs were included in the national polls.

It hasn't gone to their heads. While everyone from head coach Mike MacIntyre on down said it was an honor to be recognized, nobody seemed to be wearing the ranking as a badge of honor.

Rather, the 4-1 Buffs (2-0 Pac-12) were looking forward to Saturday's game at Southern California (2-3, 2-1).

"It's always nice to be recognized," MacIntyre said. "But our focus is today, tomorrow, the next day. All the work that we've done; that will take care of us on Saturday. But it's nice to be recognized."

Even redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Montez, a relative newcomer to the program, wasn't fazed by the ranking. Montez, the starter for the last two weeks for the Buffs, has much bigger things on his mind than the opinion of voters.

"It's nice to get recognized, of course, but we still have so much to go," Montez said. "When you step on the field, nobody cares if you're ranked or not. We just have to go and keep preparing with the intensity we have the whole time."

Prior to this week, the last time the Buffs were ranked was Week 10 of the 2005 season, when they were No. 22. Their current ranking is the highest since early in 2003, when they entered Week 3 ranked No. 17.

PRICE HONORED: Buffs freshman Davis Price was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week, the third time this year the Buffs have had a player honored by the conference.

Price, a walkon from Evergreen, kicked a 54-yard field goal on his first attempt as a collegian in the Buffs' 47-6 win over Oregon State. It was the longest field goal ever by a CU freshman as well as the longest first career field goal made. Price scored 11 points in the win, going 5-for-5 on PATs and 2-for-2 on field goals. Four of his eight kickoffs also went for touchbacks.

The Buffs have also had two offensive players of the week this year. Quarterback Sefo Liufau was honored after Colorado beat Colorado State in the season opener and quarterback Steven Montez was named after CU's win at Oregon two weeks ago.

MACINTYRE ON TROJANS: Asked Monday if he had already had a look at the Trojans, MacIntyre grimaced and smiled at the same time.

"Oh yeah," he said. "That's why I'm not sleeping. Very, very talented. Playmakers all over the offensive field. They've basically completely changed their offense in the last game and half. They did it in the Utah game, but this last game was almost like a complete different offense. The quarterback (Sam Darnold) is an excellent athlete. He's getting the ball out of his hands to their playmakers. They're basically a spread football team now, in a way, with a phenomenal, athletic tight end."

After falling to Stanford and Utah in their first two conference games, the Trojans pummeled previously unbeaten Arizona State on Saturday, 41-20. Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns, with JuJu Smith-Schuster hauling in seven of those passes for 123 yards and all three touchdowns. Justin Davis had 123 yards rushing and a touchdown.

USC's defense, meanwhile, kept ASU out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.

Asked why USC struggled early, MacIntyre said, "No. 1, they played Alabama. Alabama might win a pro game or two, they're so talented. … They (the Trojans) are a really good football team. They're very talented. They've settled in with an offensive identity. They were very, very impressive Saturday night."

And, in response to a question as to whether the Buffs were catching USC at a dangerous time, MacIntyre simply responded, "Anytime you play USC it's a dangerous time. Going there to play, they're a good football team. Our guys will be ready to play, though. They'll be excited about playing."

GROUP EFFORT: Colorado's offensive line has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season. One year after injuries ravaged the group, the Buffs linemen have come together to form a cohesive unit, one that opened holes for 247 yards rushing in Saturday's win over Oregon State as well as blanking OSU in the quarterback sack department.

"Honestly, all the positions go into it," said O-line coach Klayton Adams. "You have a group of receivers that are playing well. They're finding spots in coverage and they're winning one-on-one battles. The quarterbacks have done a nice job of avoiding pressure and getting us into the right play. The running backs are running really hard. The tight ends have been a huge part of it for us in a lot of ways. It's a case of everyone playing well and it makes everyone's job a little easier."

ASU GAME TIME SET: The Pac-12 announced Monday that the Oct. 15 Buffs game vs. Arizona State at Folsom Field will kick off at 6 p.m. and be televised by the Pac-12 Network. The game is part of Homecoming weekend at CU.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu