Football team gear up for annual spring game
With music blaring out of the stadium loudspeaker, the CU football team stampeded out of the tunnel and into the stadium behind the new Ralphie.
On Saturday, the CU football team headed outside and put the pads on for the first time since the end of their abysmal fall season.
The sun was shining and Folsom Field was alive with action, as the players went through various position drills and ran 34 live plays from scrimmage.
The sidelines were rampant with people, as the Buffs coaching staff hosted Junior Day. Approximately 500 people, including the potential players and their families, headed out to the stadium to watch the Buffaloes in action.
The quarterback battle was evident, as both red shirt freshman Cody Hawkins and junior Nick Nelson threw the ball seven times. Hawkins completed 5-of-7 passes for 105 yards, while Nelson completed three passes for 51 yards. Last year’s quarterback, senior Bernard Jackson, only threw the ball one time due to a missed practice on Thursday.
The already thin offensive line was missing two key components Saturday. Junior Daniel Sanders sat out with a bruised knee and junior Erick Faatagi is still recovering from last season’s knee surgery.
The CU running attack featured all four backs on the roster and picked up 51 yards on 17 attempts.
Senior wide receiver Dusty Sprague caught three passes for 43 yards and led the Buffs in receptions.
Red shirt freshman defensive end Marquez Herrod made three tackles to lead the defense.
The first scrimmage is now complete and head coach Dan Hawkins is encouraged with what he sees from the team.
“They are all playing way better,” Hawkins said. “There was more offense in this scrimmage than there was in the whole spring or fall last year. It’s not even close. The whole team is much better that way.”
The Buffs continue spring practice this week, with two more scrimmages before the annual spring game. The spring game is Saturday, April 14 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Ben Dignan at benjamin.dignan@thecampuspress.com
