Buffs Spring Game Notes: Noyer, Arias, Blackmon, Mangham; Depth At Skill Spots; What's Next

BOULDER — After an admittedly up-and-down spring, Colorado quarterback Sam Noyer set Folsom Field on fire in Saturday's spring game.

The CU junior completed 13 of 15 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns, helping his Gold team to a 55-27 win over the Black.

"I just decided to play," Noyer said. "Early on, we were learning the new system, there was a lot of work and I maybe was pushing a little too much. I just more relaxed out there today. I felt like I could step up there, make the calls and then make plays. It felt like it came together today and it was a lot of fun."

Both of Noyer's touchdowns went to sophomore Daniel Arias, the first for 28 yards and the second for 17. Noyer also had a 51-yard completion to Maurice Bell (who also had a 30-yard scoring catch from Tyler Lytle) as well as a 37-yard completion to Arias.

"Maurice and Daniel — you throw the ball up and they'll go get it," Noyer said. "It's going to be nice this fall to have all those receivers."

Noyer spent the spring battling with Lytle for the No. 2 spot behind senior Steven Montez, who finished Saturday with a 23-for-44 day for 287 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Lytle, a sophomore, was 7-for-10 for 119 yards and a score.

Now, while fall camp is still months away, Noyer's spring game performance should at least keep the competition among all the quarterbacks at a high level.

"My real goal is just to get better every day," Noyer said. "I just want to keep competing and pushing Montez and Tyler. They're all good quarterbacks. I just want to keep getting better and help myself and help the team."

TWO-MINUTE EXECUTION: While Montez slipped in the second half of Saturday's game with a pair of interceptions, he did lead the Buffs on a picture-perfect 75-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes of the first half against the No. 1 defense. Montez was 5-for-5 on the drive, including a 23-yard completion to Dimitri Stanley and a 35-yard touchdown to Tony Brown.

"With Coach (Mel) Tucker we've done two-minute almost every day," said offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. "Obviously it showed up. That was a great job before the half. We go into a two-minute setting in the spring game to make sure we get some of that. That one, he (Montez) did a great job because he just kept checking the ball down, and completions rule. That was very positive for us."

ARIAS ON A ROLL: It hasn't been an easy spring for Arias, who earlier this year had to deal with the death of his father. While the two weren't close — he hadn't seen him in more than a decade — it was still nevertheless difficult attending the funeral in the Dominican Republic.

But football has helped provide a release from those emotions, and his Saturday effort proved he will be competing for some significant playing time next fall. Arias finished the day with seven catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

"It was definitely fun out there," Arias said with a grin as he signed autographs after the game. "Coach (Darrin Chiaverini) just told me to go out there, be myself and have fun. I've been waiting for this moment. Now I have to watch film, see what I can do better and keep trying to improve. That's always the goal."

Arias no doubt had a connection with Noyer.

"We (Noyer) had some good chemistry," he said. "I think we both really had good days. It was our day. From all of this, it feels good to be in synch with the QB. Just keep working, keep getting better."

Arias started the spring slowly, but over the last two weeks, his consistency improved dramatically.

"Coming back from the (Dominican Republic) was rough," he said. "That was a tough week. Just getting back here and getting back to what I do was good. I just have to keep working and keep getting better. That's what we all have to do."

BLACKMON WITH BIG PLAYS: Junior cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who transferred to CU last year from College of San Mateo, had two interceptions — including one he returned 17 yards for a score — along with two tackles and another pass breakup Saturday.

"Pretty good day," he said with a smile. "They put you out there to make plays and that's what I'm trying to do."

At 6-foot-0, 160 pounds, Blackmon is one of the smallest players on the field. But after starting out the spring playing nickel back and making plays regularly, CU coaches moved him to cornerback to get him on the field on a more consistent basis.

Now he plays both, depending on the package.

"When we got the new staff, it was a new opportunity for everybody," Blackmon said. "I've taken as much advantage of that as possible. Everybody got a fair chance from the beginning and I tried to put in a little extra every time I had the chance. They're giving me a chance to make plays and I'm doing my best to make them."

Next up for Blackmon will be an important strength and conditioning summer session. CU coaches want him to add some weight and muscle to improve his durability.

"I've gotten bigger since last fall," he said. "I've put on some muscle, but I need more. Coach Tucker has been on me to gain some weight so I have no other option."

Defensive coordinator Tyson Summers said he likes what he's seen from Blackmon throughout the spring.

"Mekhi has shown the ability to make plays," Summers said. "He's shown the ability to play a number of different positions for us. I've been very pleased with Mekhi all spring."

DEPTH AT WR, RB: Arias wasn't the only Buff wideout with a big day. It has become a position that is loaded with talent — even without first-team All-Pac-12 player Laviska Shenault Jr., who sat out the spring with an injury.

Right behind Arias on Saturday was Bell, who finished with six catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Dimitri Stanley had seven catches for 98 yards and a score, senior Tony Brown had five for 79 and a touchdown and junior K.D. Nixon had two for 66.

Meanwhile, the Buffs also have some depth — albeit little experience — at running back. True freshman Jaren Mangham carried 12 times for 149 yards, including touchdown runs of 65 and 35 yards. Redshirt freshman Deion Smith ran 15 times for 60 yards and true freshman Joe Davis added 59 yards on nine carries.

"Really exciting guys," said Johnson. "Daniel Arias made a bunch of nice plays. Maurice Bell did, and obviously Jaren Mangham came in and toted the rock on some good plays. We have a really good nucleus of skill kids, young kids that are doing a nice job."

NEXT UP: After the game, head coach Mel Tucker told the team that their summer workout program will be the next ultra-important part of their development.

He reiterated that thought to the media in his press conference.

"I want to see them get better each and every day," Tucker said. "I want to see them compete in the weight room, I want to see them compete in the drill work we do this summer. Continue to watch film, continue to get better at their craft and understand that every day is a competition."

Tucker has stressed a new culture and work ethic since his arrival. It's a message he continues to deliver.

"Everybody in America right now is working to get better," he said. "Everyone's in the same boat. We have to make the most of each and every opportunity we have when we work out and when we meet. You can make a lot of strides in the summer and we plan to make a huge move this summer."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu