Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: Cliff Grassmick
Tuesday Buffs Bits: CU Excited To Play In Folsom
September 05, 2017 | Football
Colorado plays Texas State in its home opener Saturday at noon
BOULDER – One thing that was made clear at Tuesday's weekly Colorado football press luncheon was that the Buffs are excited to get back in front of the home crowd at Folsom Field.
After going a perfect 6-0 at home last season and selling out the Utah game to end the year – the first sellout since 2008 – the Buffs have a renewed excitement about playing in college football's best setting with the best mascot running below the flatirons.
"For us it's about knowing we have a great fan base that's going to be there and we have to show out in front of them," senior running back Phillip Lindsay said Tuesday. "When the crowd is loud and starts getting excited, it gives us that extra energy. And you don't want to lose in Folsom. Last year, that was our thing. We just weren't going to lose, period. This year we have the same mindset."
"Last year was very surreal, it was one of the best things I've felt in my athletic career as far as just having that pride when you step onto the field that you have your fans and your community backing you up," defensive end Leo Jackson III added. "It's a big deal for us to keep that going this year."
The old adage in college football is that teams make their biggest jump from the first to second game, and the Buffs are eager to see that happen on Saturday against Texas State (12:01 p.m. MDT/Pac-12 Networks).
"Hopefully we can correct some of those little things and we'll have a big week this week.," head coach Mike MacIntyre said.
Offensively, the Buffs came out against Colorado State "clicking on all cylinders" in the first 18 minutes of the game. MacIntyre noted little miscues that caused the Buffs not to score for the final 43 minutes that can easily be corrected.
A key for this week's game will be blocking Texas State linebackers Gabe Loyd, Frankie Griffin and Bryan London II, the headliners of the Bobcat defense that MacIntyre signaled out as being playmakers. Last week, the Bobcats held Houston Baptist to just 59 yards rushing.
"They're big and athletic and make a lot of plays for their defense," MacIntyre noted of the TXST backers.
He also mentioned that the CU offensive line gave the team enough opportunities to win the game last week and he looks to see the group grow from here on out.
"We're going to have to get to the second level," MacIntyre said of the emphasis from the o-line this week. "Our offensive line has done a good job at getting to the second level. If they can get to the second level and at least get a piece of the guy, then (they'll) be off balance and Phillip (Lindsay) and Michael (Adkins) and those guys will make them miss when that happens or run through an arm tackle. That's what we'll have to be able to do."
On the defensive side of the ball, even after an impressive performance in the opener against Colorado State where CU allowed only three points, the Buffs still are playing with a chip on their shoulders. After all, the defense heard all summer of how down they would be after losing eight starters (four NFL draft picks) and three defensive assistant coaches.
"It definitely put a chip on our shoulder and gave us a sense of urgency to just quiet everyone down for at least a week or so," Jackson said about the CSU performance. "Each game and each week is different, but that was our biggest thing was to silence people and get them talking about something else."
Texas State features an option running attack that they balance with a passing game. The Bobcats ran for 155 yards in their opener while also attempting 28 passes.
"We have to be very disciplined because they play option football and they have a mobile quarterback, that's the biggest thing," Jackson said. "When you're working with athletes, anything can happen because they can make things happen out of nothing. That's what it comes down to, fundamentals and discipline."
MAKE A DONATION ON SEPT. 6 TO AID HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS: Donations will be collected from 7 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the corner of Discovery Drive and Innovation Drive (just south of Potts Field on East Campus). Help fill the CU Football team's trailer, which will then be used to transport the donations to the Houston area after collection ends on Wednesday. Donations will go to the local Houston chapter of the Red Cross.
GAME DAY AT FOLSOM FIELD: Colorado fans are encouraged to wear silver for Saturday's game, as the team will be dressed in silver jerseys … The clear bag policy is still in place at Folsom Field. Learn more about the prohibited bags by clicking here.
8 a.m. – Parking lots open.
8 a.m. – Ticket office in the Champions Center and ticket booth on southeast corner open
9:40 a.m. – Buff Walk (band, spirit squads and fans welcome the team as they arrive on the east-side of the stadium)
10 a.m. – Gates open
10 a.m. – Buff Fan Zone in the Indoor Practice Facility opens
12:01 p.m. - Kickoff
PAC-12 PILOT PROGRAM: The Conference has launched a pilot program in 2017 to shorten the length of games and CU's next two home games will see the experiments taking place. For Saturday's contest against Texas State, kickoff is set for 12:01 p.m., enabling action to start closer to the listed game time. Fans will also noticed the condensed break format, reducing up to four additional minutes that were used in TV break times. The following week, on Sept. 16 against Northern Colorado, halftime will be reduced from the normal 20-minute break to 15 minutes.
LAGUDA HONORED: Senior safety Afolabi Laguda was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week by collegesportsmadness.com. Laguda stuffed his stat sheet in the season-opening victory against Colorado State, finishing with 11 tackles, one for a loss, he forced and recovered a fumble that he returned 11 yards and played in all 80 snaps from scrimmage.
BUFFS MOVING UP: This week's Associated Press Top 25 Poll saw the Buffs move up six spots from No. 35 to No. 29, while in the Coaches Poll the Buffs stayed put two spots outside the top 25 at No. 27.
After going a perfect 6-0 at home last season and selling out the Utah game to end the year – the first sellout since 2008 – the Buffs have a renewed excitement about playing in college football's best setting with the best mascot running below the flatirons.
"For us it's about knowing we have a great fan base that's going to be there and we have to show out in front of them," senior running back Phillip Lindsay said Tuesday. "When the crowd is loud and starts getting excited, it gives us that extra energy. And you don't want to lose in Folsom. Last year, that was our thing. We just weren't going to lose, period. This year we have the same mindset."
"Last year was very surreal, it was one of the best things I've felt in my athletic career as far as just having that pride when you step onto the field that you have your fans and your community backing you up," defensive end Leo Jackson III added. "It's a big deal for us to keep that going this year."
The old adage in college football is that teams make their biggest jump from the first to second game, and the Buffs are eager to see that happen on Saturday against Texas State (12:01 p.m. MDT/Pac-12 Networks).
"Hopefully we can correct some of those little things and we'll have a big week this week.," head coach Mike MacIntyre said.
Offensively, the Buffs came out against Colorado State "clicking on all cylinders" in the first 18 minutes of the game. MacIntyre noted little miscues that caused the Buffs not to score for the final 43 minutes that can easily be corrected.
A key for this week's game will be blocking Texas State linebackers Gabe Loyd, Frankie Griffin and Bryan London II, the headliners of the Bobcat defense that MacIntyre signaled out as being playmakers. Last week, the Bobcats held Houston Baptist to just 59 yards rushing.
"They're big and athletic and make a lot of plays for their defense," MacIntyre noted of the TXST backers.
He also mentioned that the CU offensive line gave the team enough opportunities to win the game last week and he looks to see the group grow from here on out.
"We're going to have to get to the second level," MacIntyre said of the emphasis from the o-line this week. "Our offensive line has done a good job at getting to the second level. If they can get to the second level and at least get a piece of the guy, then (they'll) be off balance and Phillip (Lindsay) and Michael (Adkins) and those guys will make them miss when that happens or run through an arm tackle. That's what we'll have to be able to do."
On the defensive side of the ball, even after an impressive performance in the opener against Colorado State where CU allowed only three points, the Buffs still are playing with a chip on their shoulders. After all, the defense heard all summer of how down they would be after losing eight starters (four NFL draft picks) and three defensive assistant coaches.
"It definitely put a chip on our shoulder and gave us a sense of urgency to just quiet everyone down for at least a week or so," Jackson said about the CSU performance. "Each game and each week is different, but that was our biggest thing was to silence people and get them talking about something else."
Texas State features an option running attack that they balance with a passing game. The Bobcats ran for 155 yards in their opener while also attempting 28 passes.
"We have to be very disciplined because they play option football and they have a mobile quarterback, that's the biggest thing," Jackson said. "When you're working with athletes, anything can happen because they can make things happen out of nothing. That's what it comes down to, fundamentals and discipline."
MAKE A DONATION ON SEPT. 6 TO AID HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS: Donations will be collected from 7 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the corner of Discovery Drive and Innovation Drive (just south of Potts Field on East Campus). Help fill the CU Football team's trailer, which will then be used to transport the donations to the Houston area after collection ends on Wednesday. Donations will go to the local Houston chapter of the Red Cross.
CU Athletics will give two tickets to Saturday's football game against Texas State to each person who donates items (while supplies last).
Items requested for donation include:
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food items
- Hygiene products
- Cleaning supplies
- Gently used clothing
GAME DAY AT FOLSOM FIELD: Colorado fans are encouraged to wear silver for Saturday's game, as the team will be dressed in silver jerseys … The clear bag policy is still in place at Folsom Field. Learn more about the prohibited bags by clicking here.
8 a.m. – Parking lots open.
8 a.m. – Ticket office in the Champions Center and ticket booth on southeast corner open
9:40 a.m. – Buff Walk (band, spirit squads and fans welcome the team as they arrive on the east-side of the stadium)
10 a.m. – Gates open
10 a.m. – Buff Fan Zone in the Indoor Practice Facility opens
12:01 p.m. - Kickoff
PAC-12 PILOT PROGRAM: The Conference has launched a pilot program in 2017 to shorten the length of games and CU's next two home games will see the experiments taking place. For Saturday's contest against Texas State, kickoff is set for 12:01 p.m., enabling action to start closer to the listed game time. Fans will also noticed the condensed break format, reducing up to four additional minutes that were used in TV break times. The following week, on Sept. 16 against Northern Colorado, halftime will be reduced from the normal 20-minute break to 15 minutes.
LAGUDA HONORED: Senior safety Afolabi Laguda was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week by collegesportsmadness.com. Laguda stuffed his stat sheet in the season-opening victory against Colorado State, finishing with 11 tackles, one for a loss, he forced and recovered a fumble that he returned 11 yards and played in all 80 snaps from scrimmage.
BUFFS MOVING UP: This week's Associated Press Top 25 Poll saw the Buffs move up six spots from No. 35 to No. 29, while in the Coaches Poll the Buffs stayed put two spots outside the top 25 at No. 27.
Players Mentioned
Monday, June 22
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11