Buffs WR Bobo Ready To Build Off Big Opener

BOULDER — Colorado wide receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini said he saw a difference in Bryce Bobo from the very beginning of fall camp.

Bobo, Chiaverini said, was "a different guy. He wasn't even close to the same guy I saw in spring ball. Right now, he looks like a top-of-the-line Pac-12 player to me. If he continues to work at it every day and is consistent with that work ethic, he can be a really, really good player in this conference."

Chiaverini's praise came in the wake of Bobo's opening-game performance, one in which he finished with five catches for a career-high 99 yards in Friday's 44-7 win over Colorado State. Bobo's night included a highlight-reel one-handed grab for a 46-yard gain that set up CU's fourth touchdown of the evening and a 31-0 halftime lead, as well as two third-down catches (both for first downs) and a robust 19.8 yards per catch average.

Throw in some outstanding downfield blocking — including a key block that helped spring fellow wide receiver Devin Ross for a 17-yard touchdown — and it was no doubt Bobo's most complete game in his three seasons in Boulder.

Bobo's opening performance didn't come as a surprise to anyone who saw him regularly in fall camp. The CU junior who displayed flashes of his ability in his first two seasons in Boulder had by far the best camp of his career this year, regularly coming up with big catches and displaying a consistency that had eluded him in previous seasons.

The difference?

"Just my mentality," Bobo said. "When I was younger, I didn't always have the best mindset or attitude. This year, I came in thinking I have to play this year. I can't let the opportunity slip away when I have it in my hands. Now my mentality is a lot different and I think I can compete with anybody."

Early in camp, Bobo was battling with junior college transfer Juwann Winfree for the starting spot at CU's "X" receiver spot. But when Winfree went down with a season-ending knee injury, the spot was Bobo's to lose, and he instead nailed it down with solid day-in, day-out performances.

His opening performance simply validated what observers had seen throughout camp.

"I was really impressed with the way he came out, his intensity in the game and the way he made plays," Chiaverini said. "He dropped a ball and made the next (catch), a great one-handed catch down the sidelines. I was proud of him."

Bobo called the catch — a beautiful one-handed grab in stride just before stepping out of bounds at the 1-yard line — the best of his CU career.

But he was equally proud of the blocks he threw for his fellow receivers, something that Chiaverini stresses. The Buffs have a blocks and knockdown chart in the wide receivers meeting room, and each receiver takes pride in seeing the total next to their name grow.

"It's what we expect out of him," Chiaverini said. "He's a big (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) receiver. He's a strong kid, got strong hands, and when he hops up on you, not many corners can get off of him."

Bobo is accustomed to his role as a blocker.

"It's something I've been taking pride in since I came here," Bobo said. "When I first played, I wasn't really used as much for my receiving as I was for my blocking. But noow, since I've stepped into a starting role, I don't want to lose that aspect of the game."

Bobo even sees blocking as a way to turn the tables on defensive backs, an opportunity to get physical with cornerbacks.

"It's actually kind of fun to bully some of those corners," he said. "I can use my build to throw people aside."

Bobo was part of a CU receiving corps that finished with 18 catches for 283 yards in CU's up-tempo offense. Ross finished with eight catches for 97 yards, Shay Fields had three for 79 (including a 60-yard reception) and Jay MacIntyre added two for 8 yards.

The question, of course, is whether they can continue that kind of production beginning Saturday, when CU plays host to Idaho State in a 3:30 p.m. game at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Mountain).

"I think that kind of game boosts everyone's confidence," Bobo said. "But really, this is just the beginning for this offense. We all know we have a lot we can improve on and if we keep working, I think you'll see more."

BACKUP QB BATTLE: Colorado redshirt freshman Steven Montez saw his first collegiate action in the CSU game, taking the last four snaps of the game. Montez handed off four times in a row, all four to true freshman Beau Bisharat.

Wednesday morning, Montez said he's looking forward to having the opportunity to do a little more. "It was nice to get in, but it will be fun to do a little more than hand off," Montez said with a smile.

Montez was listed as the co-No. 2 quarterback with Jordan Gehrke throughout camp and heading into the opening game. This week, however, he's listed ahead of Gehrke.

"Steven had an excellent spring and then he did really well in the fall," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "So that's where he sits right now. They both did well, but Steven's a little bit ahead at this point, the way we see it."

GOOD NEWS TRENDS: CU's 260 yards rushing against the Rams was Colorado's 62nd game with at least 250 yards rushing since 1989. The Buffs' record in those games is an outstanding 59-2-1. … The Buffs averaged a solid 7.9 yards per first-down play in the opener, and were 7-for-8 on third-and-short (1 or 2 yards).

ISU CONNECTION: Colorado offensive lineman Sully Wiefels has a special connection to Idaho State. His father, Chuck Wiefels, played defensive line for the 1981 Bengals team that won the I-AA national championship. That team also featured two players who are currently head coaches in the NFL, Dirk Koetter (Tampa Bay) and Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati).

IDAHO STATE VS. FBS: While Saturday's meeting is the first between Colorado and Idaho State, the Bengals are no stranger to FBS schools — but they haven't experienced a lot of success in those games. Since beating Utah State 27-24 in 2000, ISU has lost 24 straight games to FBS schools, with those games including losses to Air Force, Nebraska, BYU, Washington State, Utah State, Georgia, UNLV, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Boise State, Washington, Utah and Idaho. After this week, ISU travels to Pac-12 program Oregon State the following week.

CLEAR BAG REMINDER: A reminder that this week marks the beginning of a clear bag policy at Folsom Field. Fans may bring one clear bag no larger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches, or a one-gallon resealable clear plastic storage bag, into the stadium. Fans will also be allowed one small clutch purse, no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Bags that will no longer be allowed into Folsom Field include backpacks, large purses, oversized tote bags, camera bags and binocular cases, diaper bags, fanny packs and printed plastic bags.

Seat cushions and chair backs will still be allowed, but they must be 18 inches or less in width and cannot have pockets, zippers or covers.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu