Brooks: MacIntyre Pleased As Buffs Wind Down Spring Drills

BOULDER – Given the absence of nine starters and what he was willing to show with those players who suited up, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre left Folsom Field Saturday afternoon feeling upbeat about the Buffaloes' annual spring scrimmage.

It didn't qualify as a spring game in the traditional sense because MacIntyre didn't want to risk further injuries by loading up some positions and personnel – linebacker, for instance – with overextended playing time.

But all in all, MacIntyre said CU's next-to-last of the spring's 15 practices showed that progress was made on most fronts. Points weren't kept, so the scoreboard didn't reveal a winner or a loser, but MacIntyre was pleased – and no doubt occasionally displeased – with “big plays on both sides of the ball . . . the kids played hard and got after it. We had nine starters not playing, but it was good this spring to get younger guys playing and get them more experience.”

“We didn't want to keep some of our guys out there too long,” he continued, referring mainly to the linebacker position that was minus a pair of starters and a pair of reserves. “If we'd had all of our linebackers we'd have been able to play more of a game-type situation.”

When MacIntyre and his staff review Saturday's stats, this is what they'll see: Quarterbacks Steven Montez and Jordan Gehrke combined to complete 22 of 34 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns – both thrown by Gehrke. Each was intercepted once.

Montez, admittedly shaky early on, was 12-of-21 for 75 yards while Gehrke went 10-of-12 for 126. His TD passes were to Shay Fields (29 yards) and Jaleel Awini (9 yards). Awini, who also can play quarterback, didn't take a snap at that position Saturday but is expected to play a role there this fall.

Phillip Lindsay was the most productive of the Buffs' running backs, averaging 11.9 yards a carry (7 attempts, 83 yards, long run of 47), while Patrick Carr had the most carries (10-31 yards). The running TDs were scored by Michael Adkins (16 yards) and Donald “Dino” Gordon (17).

Devin Ross received the most work at receiver, catching eight passes for 57 yards, while Shay Fields made four receptions for 39 yards. The only other player to catch more than one pass was Jay MacIntyre (2-14 yards).

Defensively, linebacker Kenneth Olugbode led all tacklers (8, 6 solo), followed by corner Nick Fisher (6 solo stops) and safety Ryan Moeller (6, 4 solo). Interceptions were made by corners Lucas Cooper and Isaiah Oliver, with ends Jimmie Gilbert and Michael Mathewes each credited with a quarterback sack.

Even if the work wasn't under game conditions, Mike MacIntyre said the Buffs benefitted from a game-type atmosphere and a crowd of 5,100 watching.

“The game atmosphere of going for it on fourth down, the two-minute drive was exciting, and having Diego (Gonzalez) kick from the left hash under pressure was awesome,” MacIntyre said. “And he made it.”

Gonzalez, CU's incumbent placekicker, had problems last season with kicks from the left hash. He hit field goals Saturday of 22 and 41 yards and made his only extra point attempt. His competition, Chris Graham, didn't attempt a field goal Saturday but made both of his PAT attempts.

MacIntyre said Gonzalez “had a great spring” and was especially pleased by Gonzalez hitting his kick from the left side. “We put him in a kick that he missed a lot last year and it was under pressure,” MacIntyre said.

“He couldn't have hit it any more down the middle . . . he has a phenomenal leg. I believe we've corrected the fundamental mistake he was making on that hash.”

CU's offense was tweaked this spring – sped up to be precise – but MacIntyre said the install process was done. “We got everything in,” he said, noting that work in August camp will focus on “getting our offensive linemen in shape” for the faster pace.

“Today was the hottest of the spring,” he said. “We started dragging for one moment there, but picked it up again.”

Asked to identify spring personnel surprises, MacIntyre mentioned the “young offensive linemen” showing continued improvement. Sometimes they have to go against first team (defense) and don't look as good as they did against the scout team. They made a jump, but will have to make a jump in the weight room, which they will.”

He also cited Montez for gaining confidence from his teammates and Oliver for his continued improvement in the secondary.

The Buffs will use the last of their 15 practices for a Monday review that is primarily aimed at player-directed off-season practices. MacIntyre has traditionally held the final spring practice for that purpose, prepping his player to conduct their own regimented summer workouts.

Players are tentatively scheduled to report on August 3, with preseason camp tentatively set to open on Aug. 4. The Buffs open the 2016 season on Sept. 2 against Colorado State in Denver.

Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU