Saturday Buff Bites - Spring Game Today! Epic Match to start at 4:30!!!
by Ash Jackson on Apr 9, 2011 7:00 AM MDT
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PrintJust like yesterday, here's some basketball as a warm-up before we get to... The Spring Game Epic Match!
Amazingly, CU now has two all-time leading men’s scorers | All Things Colorado Sports
What were the odds of Cory Higgins finishing his CU men’s basketball career tied with Richard Roby (2004-08) atop the school charts at 2,001 points? They had to be astronomical. I know I have never seen another school with co-leaders in career scoring. And certainly not to be overlooked or forgotten is Brittany Spears completing her eligibility this season as the CU women’s all-time leading scorer with 2,185 points.
Folsom buddies to reunite - Buffzone
They say time heals all wounds. At Colorado, Jon Embree does.The first-year CU coach has fans and boosters filled with hope and back on the Buffs bandwagon this spring.
Embree's presence has also paved the way for a legendary reunion at Folsom Field with Bill McCartney and Gary Barnett set to coach the alumni game on Saturday prior to the spring game.
"He's just a classy guy. For him to stay involved ... let's face it, he was treated unfairly," McCartney said of Barnett's return to Boulder. "I just think it says a lot about Gary's character to come back."
The former CU head coaches haven't stalked the same field together in almost 20 years.
"We haven't done it for a while, that's for sure," Barnett said. "I'm looking forward to the whole weekend and seeing everybody and having some fun. Mac's team is going to struggle. He's got all the old guys."
Charles Johnson will captain McCartney's squad. Joel Klatt will do the same for Barnett's team.
It's the Spring Epic you've all been waiting for: the old guys vs. the really old guys!
Klatt and Johnson Captains for CU alum game | All Things Colorado Sports
...Klatt and Johnson are respective team captains, and CU football sports information director Curtis Snyder was named referee for Saturday afternoon’s alumni flag football game. Snyder announced on Facebook he will be taking bribes from them "Up to and throughout the game."It wasn’t Snyder’s idea to referee the game. His boss, David Plati, volunteered him. One of his Facebook "friends" went out of [sic] a limb to predict a fifth and maybe sixth down. (It was Johnson who scored the infamous fifth down at Missouri in 1990).
I asked offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, one of the most popular ex-Buffs in history, if he would play. The former All-America tailback who has grown into a fullback, said he’ll buy some popcorn and watch the game. Translation: He, too, doesn’t want to pull a hamstring.
Embree plans to make roster cuts - Buffzone
Colorado football coach Jon Embree said he plans to make cuts to his roster later this spring based on the results players have produced on and off the field since he took over the program in early December. Embree did not specify the number of players he will trim from the program, but he indicated there will be several and he will be the one to give them the bad news. Prior to the start of spring ball last month, Embree said one of his goals for the 15 practices was to find out who can play and who can't.
After the jump; more player profiles. This time it's Conrad Obi and Tyler Hansen!
Reenergized Obi Making Large Mark In D-Line - CUBuffs.com
Senior nosetackle Conrad Obi is refocused and apparently bent on making his final season as a Buff a memorable one. He's already made an impression on his new coaches....Said "Tui:" "From what I hear from everybody around me, this is the best they've ever seen him play. Now, of course, I'm always looking for more. I'm trying to get him better every day. But the guy's attitude is unbelievable.
Obi believes his upgraded performance has a simple explanation: "It's hard work paying off. I'm doing what I want to do and seeing the results I wanted to see, that's what makes it the best spring I've had here."
"Yeah, he's doing it, he's meeting my standard," Tuiasosopo said. "I'm very happy with his progress, but I always expect my guys to keep climbing the ladder. The thing about a guy like Conrad - and all these guys, really - is that we're all trying to get to know each other. But at the end of the day we're judging everybody on production. And that guy has been productive."
The overall spring productivity in Tuiasosopo's group, though, has been hampered by injuries, particularly at end. At least four of those players have missed portions of the 15 practices. Pericak has stayed relatively healthy, but Cunningham's elbow injury likely will keep him out of Saturday's Spring Game (6 p.m., Folsom Field). Still, Tuiasosopo said before the injury Cunningham had shown that "he plays hard and understands the game . . . but there are some technical, fundamental things he has to work at."
No more Hawkinses for Tyler Hansen - Pac-10 Blog - ESPN
The "Hawkins" questions have been popular for Colorado's players since Jon Embree was hired to replace Dan Hawkins as the Buffaloes coach. What went wrong under Hawkins? How does the new Embree administration compare to the one it replaced? Etc...
But quarterback Tyler Hansen has been getting double the Hawkins questions because his career in Boulder has been marked by two Hawkinses: The one who coached him and the one he competed against, quarterback Cody Hawkins.
Hansen insists that it never became a problem between him and Cody. Said Hansen, "I think we handled it the way it was supposed to [be handled]. We were both positive with each other and we were friends on and off the field. But it was awkward at moments."
Hansen no longer has to worry about either Hawkins. Now he has to worry about Embree, who clearly doesn't want Hansen to feel like the starting job is his by default. "Nick Hirschman is starting to figure some things out," Embree said. "The light is starting to go on. He still needs to be a little more decisive. I'd say the edge with Hansen right now is that Tyler just is a little more decisive with what to do and just the command in the huddle."
Spring Game - CUBuffs.com - Saturday, Saturday, Saturday!!!!
Spring Game Schedule - Shoulder to Shoulder4 - CU Garage Sale and Fan Zone in Balch Fieldhouse
4:30 - Alumni Flag Football Game - Mac vs. Barnett on Folsom Field
6 - Spring Game!
Go Buffs!
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disagree:
He’s just a classy guy. For him to stay involved … let’s face it, he was treated unfairly," McCartney said of Barnett’s return to Boulder. “I just think it says a lot about Gary’s character to come back.”
No he wasn’t. And I think the circumstances that led to his firing and the way he’s spent the last 5 years bitching about it speaks far more to his character.
"I cannot hear you... over the sound... of my deafening awesomeness..."~Archer
wow
I thought we were suppose to love all former Buffs (Dan Hawkins). Forgive and forget?
by buffalobeach on Apr 9, 2011 9:36 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
First- I don't consider him to be a former Buff
He’s just another carpetbagger with a whistle. He went to Missouri. He coached at Northwestern longer than he did at CU. If he had another coaching gig, say at Iowa State, would he still be a “former Buff?” I doubt it. And second- as much as I hated the way he went out, I’ve found it much, much more annoying that he has NEVER let it go. Never. I’m not going to defend Hawkins because he dug his own grave, but I absolutely believe that Barnett poisoned the well on his way out, and he mentions how he was wronged, and how he never got any support all the damn time. And now McCartney’s doing the same thing for him. I might consider forgiving and forgetting as soon as Barnett does the same.
"I cannot hear you... over the sound... of my deafening awesomeness..."~Archer
Mixed feelings
It’s a tough message to cut some kids who have committed to being Buffs and made life decisions based on the expectation of being in Boulder. Having said that, if the coaches really have warned (in VERY plain language) those that are at risk, then they are getting what they deserve.
Embree spoke with Alfred Williams Yesterday
He said any member of the team that may be cut would be those individuals that are already aware they may not be a good fit for the program. It is harsh but it’s reality. Embree came in and let all the players know they were starting out with a clean slate. He set forth 3 expectations; play hard, be on time, and to have success in the classroom. The players that will be cut have not been able to meet these expectations.
One of the biggest knocks on CU teams in the past few years has been their lack of mental toughness. You can point to penalties, horrible mistakes in the 4th quarter, and the complete transformation when on the road. Embree in my opinion has to change the mental psychology of this team in order to have sustained success. We saw glimpses of what this team s capable of throughout the past 4 years but the success has never gained traction.
I’ll be at teh game today for sure. Anyone know what chanel the game will be broadcasted on the radio? I am assuming 760am.
Shoulder to Shoulder
i agree...
if a kid makes a commitment to CU, CU should make a commitment to them. if the guy isn’t fulfilling his requirements that’s one thing. but if he’s just not good enough, i’m sorry, let him carry water and earn his degree. he’s owed that much.
Scholarship is year to year
I guess it’s kind of like the scholarship in graduate school. If it’s the case, then cutting student is not that unacceptable. It happens every year in graduate school. It’s essentially business, you get the funding for your course and life, you do your job. If you didn’t do your job(practice hard, study hard, etc.), you are done.
I agree
Apologists who say, “a scholarship is a 1 year commitment” are the same people who inevitably say, “we don’t have to pay players, because they get an education.” You can’t have it both ways. If some kids are going to lose their spots (and potentially their chance at a CU education), then there had better be clear, plain, repeated warnings on multiple fronts. If Justin Castor loses out to Oliver, but he’s getting high marks in class, attending meetings on time, and working hard on the field- he deserves to keep his spot.
(also, if he’s cutting kids who are ineligible, then that negatively affects our APR, which is kind of shooting yourself in the foot)
"I cannot hear you... over the sound... of my deafening awesomeness..."~Archer
I agree
If Justin Castor loses out to Oliver, but he’s getting high marks in class, attending meetings on time, and working hard on the field- he deserves to keep his spot.
But more so, we need to quit expecting freshman Will Oliver to come in and be the second coming. He’s from an elite private school in LA that faced virtually no competition, and caters to the offspring of the Hollywood elite. (Look it up.)
Doesn’t mean he CAN’T kick, but his high school statistics were no better than Castor’s and way worse than Zach Grossnickle (who most have forgotten was the top KICKER in Colorado and #2 in the country – not a punter.)
Castor is doing fine, considering the last time he fell off a horse – er, got a kick blocked – Hawkins benched him and let that stew in his psyche for 5 months. Now, as he enters spring break from football, he can visualize making his last four field goals. THAT is a huge difference mentally.
Oliver is going to need the redshirt year to get used to the speed and SIZE of college players rushing at him. Let’s not raise the expectations unrealistically. If Justin needs a break, it’s more likely we’ll see Grossnickle spelling at field goals (only if really needed), than burning another kicker’s redshirt too soon. It shouldn’t have happened last year, and we need some separation in their graduation years, unless CU plans to recruit ANOTHER kicker for next year. I hope not.
By the way, the single 32-yard punt at the scrimmage landed in Speedy’s hands as he stood on the 20 yard line - so it tells us nothing about distance, as I heard Embree told the punter that’s exactly where he was supposed to punt (to the 20)- and Speedy wasn’t allowed to attempt a return, to keep everyone healthy. I’m taking it as a “win” that Embree didn’t fee a need to see more punting - he has an idea what we have, and (once the snapping gets a makeover), it will be fine.
Embree on kicking and punting:
"Still, he said Castor, whose only field goal attempt last season was blocked, “made big strides the past two weeks.” Of Grossnickle, he noted, “We’ve got a guy who’s played, who’s been on the stage, so that piece I feel good about. I think he understands what we’re trying to do and he’ll have a good summer to prepare. He’s got a big leg.”
well believe me- I know where Oliver goes to school. I drive by the campus every day. Literally. It was just an example.
"I cannot hear you... over the sound... of my deafening awesomeness..."~Archer
by Phil Fraser on Apr 10, 2011 12:22 PM MDT up reply actions
He'll be a good buff kicker
… but I think we owe him the same number of months or years to get acclimated as most kickers seem to need transitioning from high school to college.
If it was that easy, anyone could do it. And considering our recent track record with kickers, it’s not a gimme.
Link to Will Oliver feature article
The 18-year-old superstar is the only athlete involved intensely in three major sports: football, soccer and lacrosse. Not only that, he plays ice hockey for Venice High, plays viola in the symphony, is a Student Ambassador, a member of the SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Council) and has a senior year grade point average of 3.72.
wow. I hadn't seen this before ...
His high school lost the homecoming game when he missed a 19-yard field goal to tie it up.
Ouch.
With one swift kick, a dream turned into a nightmare Saturday for Harvard-Westlake in a 24-21 loss to visiting Cathedral of L.A. that ended when Will Oliver’s potential tying field goal from 19 yards was wide left as time expired – all in front of a homecoming crowd.
Harvard-Westlake Loses 24-21 on Missed Field Goal as Time Expires
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