As Spring Ball Nears, Dorrell, Buffs Excited To See Schedule Release

BOULDER — Every football coach in the Pac-12 had a little extra giddy-up in his step Tuesday — and for good reason.

The conference released its 2021 schedule Tuesday morning, and while such an event is always a hint that the season is a little closer on the horizon, this year's release was reason for a little extra celebration.

More than anything, it signaled what every coach — and player, administrator and fan — hopes will be a return to normal after a year of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Colorado's Karl Dorrell, entering his second season at the Buffs' helm, is squarely in that camp.

"I'm excited," Dorrell told the Pac-12 Network in a Tuesday morning interview. "I'm excited that we're getting a normal schedule, a 12-game slate that's telling us that this year we're shooting for normalcy. We're planning that way."

Indeed, there's plenty about which Dorrell and his team can be excited.

If all goes well, the Buffs will conduct their first spring ball session under Dorrell beginning in late March. Then comes summer strength and conditioning, fall camp — tentatively set to open Aug. 4 — and the Sept. 3 season opener against Northern Colorado at Folsom Field.

But the UNC game is just the beginning of an ambitious non-conference schedule that will be followed by a matchup against Texas A&M in Denver on Sept. 11 and a home game against Minnesota on Sept. 18.

Then comes the nine-game Pac-12 schedule that will see the Buffs open at Arizona State on Sept. 25, followed by a visit from Southern California on Oct. 2.

There's no doubt the A&M game has the Buffs' attention. The Aggies finished fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings last year and will no doubt provide an early season barometer for Dorrell's Buffaloes, as well as offer the chance to earn some national notoriety for the Pac-12.

"That's one of those really impressive games where we hopefully play well at the beginning of the season," Dorrell said. "That might shed some light on us as a conference, that we're a conference that's ready to get some recognition across the country."

No doubt the Buffs are anxious to prove they measure up to the likes of the Aggies, especially in the wake of their last game, a 55-23 loss to Texas in the Alamo Bowl.

"That second game is a big measuring stick," he said. "The last measuring stick we had was Texas and we fell way, way short there. There's a lot that's driving us this offseason. The last game, our bowl, that's really driving our momentum right now as we move forward as a program."

BUFFS BITS: The Buffs are set to open their 15-practice spring session on March 29, with three practices per week spread over five weeks. They will conclude with the spring game on April 30 …

Dorrell noted that spring will be important for every position, but eyes will no doubt be focused on the quarterback spot. Last year's starter, Sam Noyer, underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year and will miss spring ball.

That will mean more repetitions — and intense competition — for returning freshman Brendon Lewis, who had an outstanding college debut in the Alamo Bowl, as well as transfer J.T. Shrout.

"It's a big spring for Brendon Lewis and the other guys that are going to compete at the quarterback position," Dorrell said. "We get to compete hard against each other. Even though there's no games on the line, there is a first and second and third on the depth chart that's on the line." …

Dorrell said linebacker Nate Landman, who underwent surgery for an achilles tendon tear in early December, is already out of his walking boot. While he won't be able to participate in regular football activities during the spring, he is increasing his workout load.

"He's ahead of schedule," Dorrell said. "He's worked really hard. He'll keep trying to push the envelope as much as he can. He's definitely chomping at the bit." …

One big priority of the spring for the Buffs will be implementing changes on the defensive side under new coordinator Chris Wilson, who coached CU's defensive line last year.

"We're trying to iron out the kinks of the issues we've been dealing with for the last couple of years," Dorrell said. "We made a lot of progress last year, but there's still some changes I think will make our defense a lot more player friendly."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu