Colorado University Athletics
CU KEEPS PREPARING FOR NU, TB PURIFY TO HAVE SURGERY
BOULDER ? The University of Colorado football team (5-6, 3-4 Big 12) continued its preparations Thursday for the upcoming Nebraska game (Nov. 28, 10:00 a.m., ABC), as the Buffs hit the practice fields for a solid two hours during the afternoon.
After the session, head coach Gary Barnett had some news to report on the status of a couple players, who will be recovering from surgery over the next few months.
Senior tailback Bobby Purify, who has not played in a game since Sept. 13, will have surgery Friday to remove a calcium deposit on his foot. Purify suffered a severe ankle sprain against Washington State, and has sat out the majority of the season rehabilitating the injury. After making an attempt to return to action three weeks ago, Purify was unable to play at full speed, as he experienced discomfort from a weakened Achilles tendon and the calcium deposit.
Purify will petition for a medical redshirt once the year is over, and return next season for his fifth year of eligibility. Barnett said Wednesday that the 6-foot, 200-pounder will be available to play in spring drills. Noted Barnett: “He’ll be full go in the spring... the first play will be a run.”
Through three games in 2003, Purify has gained 167 yards and three touchdowns on 52 attempts. He has also reeled in four catches for 27 yards. Currently, he has rushed for 1,999 yards during his career at CU.
In other injury news, Barnett announced that redshirt freshman offensive lineman Del Scales successfully underwent shoulder surgery Tuesday. Scales, who hails from Flower Mound, Texas, will also return for spring ball completely healthy and ready to play.
Scales has seen action in two games this season, having played in a total of eight plays at Florida State and Iowa State.