Buff Bites: Connor Wood Steps Up This Spring

Buffs Football!

Football: CU Buffs' Connor Wood showing he belongs - Buffzone

Wood has played himself into position to be one of the leaders of those player-organized practices after competing this spring with five other quarterbacks. He produced better results than four of them and similar results to fellow junior-to-be Nick Hirschman. These numbers are what CU fans had in mind when they worked themselves into a craze when Wood joined the program. In four scrimmages this spring, Wood completed 36 of 56 passes for 601 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for a 33-yard score.

CU Buffs receive offseason marching orders from coach Mike MacIntyre - The Denver Post

As MacIntyre said goodbye to the players, they left with specific strength, conditioning and weight (gaining and losing) goals. The position coaches have met with every player to tell them what they must specifically improve and tailored offseason workouts for each position. MacIntyre said every player will remain in Boulder over the summer. It won't just be for summer school. "That also buys into camaraderie and leadership and coming together as a team when they're working together a lot during the summer," MacIntyre said. "We're preparing them for that. We're teaching them how to do that. If they do that, we'll really improve."

Football: CU Buffs' defense still work in progress - Buffzone

Practice repetitions were split evenly among all defensive players through the first eight or nine practices just as they were on offense and coaches purposely kept things simple to judge as accurately as possible who can play at this level and who has the most ground to make up. There was also an intense focus on teaching fundamentals and proper tackling. Baer was asked how much of the defense his players have left to learn when August arrives. "A lot," he said with eyebrows raised. "It's no joke." Baer, who also serves as the linebackers coach, believes the Buffs can play at a much higher level once the best 11 guys are on the field together gaining a better understanding of the full defense.

Pac-12 QB competitions update - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

Colorado started with six candidates -- though not with equal standing -- and the top two after spring practices might surprise some, particularly those hoping for new blood: juniors Connor Wood and Nick Hirschman. Before spring practices began, more than a few folks believed redshirt freshman Shane Dillon was the favorite. But he often looked raw while Wood and Hirschman seemed far more comfortable with the new offense under Mike MacIntyre, something that likely is due to their having significantly more experience. Of course, there's no reason Dillon can't find his stroke this summer and jump back into the competition. The most obvious precedent of a guy overcoming a poor spring to win the starting job is Arizona State's Taylor Kelly, who was well behind Mike Bercovici and Michael Eubank a year ago. Further, just like Arizona, Colorado has its own touted incoming true freshman: Sefo Liufau. Youth is an advantage in some ways. The Buffaloes aren't going to win the Pac-12 in 2013. There's something to be said for, if the race is close, going with Dillon or Liufau and accepting immediate growing pains with an eye toward 2014 and beyond.

Big plays but few answers on spring football Saturday - Pac-12 Post

Colorado As Mike MacIntyre rebuilds the Buffaloes, finding Pac-12 caliber playmakers will be key on both sides of the ball. He’s got one in receiver Paul Richardson, who looked rust-free coming off an ACL injury last year. The speedster was able to get behind the defense, showed great quickness and burst, and hauled in a long touchdown late in the game to finish with 169 yards and the score. The running back group looked solid too on Saturday, but it’s clear Richardson will be the Buffaloes’ featured player.

Football: Kyle Washington moves on from CU Buffs - Buffzone - Colorado spring football practices ended Tuesday with Kyle Washington saying goodbye after deciding to give up the sport rather than risking another concussion.

Colorado defensive lineman Will Pericak visited Ravens, Chargers, Chiefs, sources say - baltimoresun.com - University of Colorado defensive lineman Will Pericak has visited the Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers, according to sources.

Buffs Basketball!

Pac-12 basketball: Projections for the 2013-14 league race | College Hotline

2. Colorado: Arguably the league’s best inside-outside combo with Roberson and guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Add sophomores Josh Scott and Xavier Johnson, plus Tad Boyle’s coaching, and the Buffs look like the best of the rest. (If Roberson leaves for the NBA, the Buffs will be slotted a few spots lower.)