clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Saturday Buff Bites - CSU Announces Starting Quarterback, 8 Days Away From Opener

Colorado_mediumStucker to start at QB for Rams | The Coloradoan
Steve Fairchild has named his starter for the showdown. Grant Stucker, the 6-foot-2, 203-pound quarterback, will start his first game for the Rams. "Stucker played in four games last fall, completing 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards in a loss at Utah and running four times in the other three games for 43 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown run in the New Mexico Bowl."

Stucker has the opportunity to be successful this year with two strong receivers and an offensive line that returns a lot of experience. The running backs are a question mark but if they get anything out of them and Stucker, this could be a decent offense.


Colorado_mediumBuffs get one more chance to impress - Boulder Daily Camera
Kyle Ringo highlights many positions that will be decided in tonight's final scrimmage going into the Colorado State game, including quarterback.

Cody Hawkins or Tyler Hansen? The Colorado coaching staff is expected to determine which player will be the starting quarterback this season after tonight`s final scrimmage at Folsom Field. And then Dan Hawkins will try to keep the decision a secret until the Buffs kick off the 2009 campaign against Colorado State on Sept. 6.

Colorado_mediumBig 12 mailbag: Why I flip-flopped to Kansas this week - Big 12 - ESPN

Tim Griffin of ESPN thinks WR Markques Simas will be one of two surprise players in the Big 12 once he returns from his suspension and believes Andre Simmons is a great addition to the Buffs team, saying all he has done at the high school and junior college level is win. Definitely a good synopsis of Simmons.

Colorado_mediumJones, Lions make an early statement - The Denver Post
CU Buffs 2010 commit, RB Mister Jones, had a nice start to his senior season, going for 115 yards on 11 carries including a 61 yard score in the third quarter.

Colorado_mediumJeff Bzdelik prepared for the tough road ahead with Colorado Buffaloes - ESPN
Andy Katz of ESPN has a good read diagnosing Jeff Bzdelik and the Colorado Buffaloes basketball program.

Colorado_mediumHawkins won't name Colorado starting QB until day of CSU game - Boulder Daily Camera
Two position updates: It is believed that the quarterback position will be decided tonight but not announced until gametime agains the Rams. G Ethan Adkins has won the other starting guard spot and will see his first collegiate action against Colorado St.

Colorado_mediumWatch for these freshmen across the Big 12 - College Football Nation - ESPN

Colorado: Freshman defensive end Forrest West is mature enough physically to compete for playing time immediately from early in the season. Coaches rave about his quick learning abilities and his physical skill. They think he can position himself into the rotation early in the season.

Many more links after the jump...

Colorado_mediumFall Camp: Special (Teams) Delivery? - CUBuffs.com
Coach Kent Riddle describes the last three's as bad, average and bad when referring to the play of his special teams units. I would say last year was horrific, but that is me. Riddle believes that the increased depth will make this year's performance much stronger.

Colorado_mediumThe Longmont Times-Call - Game day a test for CU O-line
Patrick Ridgell of the Longmont Times points out that while the Buffs offensive line is considered a strength due to the talent on the team, the downside is many of the offensive lineman will be playing their first games at the collegiate level:

There are some other facts that aren’t so comforting. Starting center Mike Iltis and right tackle Bryce Givens will take their first collegiate snaps Sept. 6. Left guard Ethan Adkins has participated in 41 plays over three games. Right guard Ryan Miller has 11 starts, including the first four of 2008 before a broken fibula ended his season. He received a medical hardship last year and remains a sophomore in eligibility. The graybeard is left tackle Nate Solder, a fourth-year junior and converted tight end who was in on all 843 offensive snaps in 2008. Miller, Iltis and Adkins are sophomores; Givens is a redshirt freshman.

Colorado_mediumCU's Smart embraces another role - Boulder Daily Camera

There are a lot of good stories on any football team. Brian Cabral's favorite from the 2009 Buffs is probably Jeff Smart's. "I think it's awesome," Colorado's legendary linebackers coach said. "For a walk-on to become a captain ... that says volumes about him."

Colorado_mediumBrooks: Receivers Are 'Hands-On' - CUBuffs.com
Colorado's receiving corps is a work in progress -- with the emphasis being on hard work and precision.

Colorado_mediumWeek 1 Pick 'Em: Great matchups right away Week 1 Pick 'Em - CBS Sports


Colorado State at Colorado (Sept. 6, 7 p.m.) Outside of Colorado, this game might go unnoticed if it were not on a Sunday in primetime. During the Bill McCartney/Rick Neuheisel/Sonny Lubick days, the Colorado/Colorado State rivalry was an event that drew national attention. Now that both programs continue to rebuild under Dan Hawkins (Colorado) and Steve Fairchild (Colorado State), the game has lost some of its luster. We can't promise this game is going to be one for the ages since both programs are unsettled at quarterback and many other positions. Colorado won this game in 2008 (38-17) and hold the all-time record (59-19-2). Hurc's breakdown: Can I choose the flip-a-coin method? Even if Colorado has to use Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen at quarterback, they still are in a little better situation heading into the season.

Colorado_mediumColorado State making a home out of Central Florida's recruiting hotbed -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Colorado_mediumSimmons has Buffs' opener in his sights - The Denver Post
Anthony Wright, who converted from cornerback to wide receiver this past week, was asked how the move was going and what the biggest difference was:

The biggest difference between playing cornerback and wide receiver? Sophomore Anthony Wright pointed to the bulging spiral binder tucked under his arm. Wright said he was "kind of like joking, but being serious" when asking Hawkins on Saturday if he could get a tryout at wideout. "Man, (wide receivers) have a big playbook," Wright said Wednesday. "It's a whole different language. I walk around with it all day. I don't look at it during class, though."

Colorado_mediumEvans, Lobato ahead in battle for No. 3 QB : All Things Colorado Sports Colorado

Colorado_mediumThe Longmont Times-Call - Geer, Burton overcome adversity to earn spots

Colorado_mediumNew punter ready for CSU opener


Pete Kontodiakos, a true freshman out of Tarpon Springs, Fla., was named to high school All-American teams by USA Today, EA Sports/ESPN.com and MaxPreps.com and was rated the top punting prospect in the nation by Ray Guy's ProKicker.com. So far, CSU coaches said, he's lived up to the billing. Although he shanked his first kick in his first scrimmage at Hughes Stadium nearly three weeks ago, every one of his punts during scrimmages since then have gone at least 40 yards, and Thursday night, he booted back-to-back 55-yarders, both with tremendous hang time.