Colorado University Athletics
CROSBY, KLATT KEEP BUFFS PUMPED UP
BOULDER — For his performance in the University of Colorado's win over Kansas this past weekend, placekicker Mason Crosby was named the Big 12's Special Teams Player of the Week Monday, as the freshman is the second Buff since quarterback Joel Klatt to earn a conference honor this season.
Hitting all three of his field goal attempts, including a 23-yarder to send the game into overtime with 14 seconds remaining, Crosby had a monstrous day in the Buffs' 50-47 victory. Along with the game-tying knock, the Texas native (Georgetown) also capitalized on tries from 41 and 23 yards, making him 5-for-5 on field goals this season.
Holding all kickoff duties as well, Crosby only allowed one of his nine boots to be returned. The lone return netted five yards, as seven of his kicks sailed out of the end zone and one was called for a fair catch.
"It feels great to get something like that," Crosby said of the award after Monday's practice. "Last week's practice was great, and I was really focused. This gives me a lot of confidence and now I want to come out and get it every week."
Being the last Buff to earn a conference Player of the Week honor, Klatt did so for his performance versus Colorado State in CU's first game. After throwing for 402 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams, Klatt actually topped his season opening numbers this past Saturday, as he completed 38-of-54 passes for 419 yards and two scores. Currently, he stands second in school history with two 400-yard games, trailing Koy Detmer, who had five in his career.
In his first complete game back since suffering a severe shoulder sprain against Washington State, Klatt looked as if he hadn't missed a beat while out of the starting line up. Having completed 96-of-151 attempts on the year, Klatt has thrown for 1,118 yards and eight touchdowns in five games. He has tossed just two interceptions, one of which was tipped in the final minutes at Baylor.
"The whole team responds to him," head coach Gary Barnett added on Klatt's leadership. "It's just been remarkable."
Added senior captain Marwan Hage about Klatt's outstanding play: "He looks like a four-year starter right now."
Injury Updates: Senior tight end Quinn Sypniewski, who has only played in two games this season due to a chronic toe injury, will sit out the remainder of the year and petition for a medical redshirt.
"I feel I can't perform to the best of my ability," Sypniewski stated Monday afternoon. "If I can't do that, then I have to help out the team in other aspects. (The pain) was getting to the point where it was not worth self-destructing (my toe) anymore."
Through two contests, the 6-foot-7, 255-pound Iowa native (Granger) has posted two receptions for nine yards. For his career, he has 12 catches totaling 88 yards.
In other injury news, tailback Bobby Purify remains sidelined after sustaining a severe ankle sprain against Washington State. The senior said Monday he has not ruled out the option of sitting out the rest of the season and applying for a medical redshirt.
Said Purify about his injury: "If it goes on for a few more weeks, then well start thinking about (the redshirt)."
Purify has gained 167 yards and three touchdowns on 52 attempts this season. He has also reeled in four catches for 27 yards.