Buffs getting healthy at skill positions
After coming off a 16-6 loss last weekend in their home opener at Folsom Field, the Colorado Buffaloes are moving full steam ahead in preparation for Saturday’s upcoming home game against Miami of Ohio.
The offense seemed to sputter under the lights last weekend, as it put up only six points against a much faster Florida State defense.
Keeping the Seminoles in the back of their minds, the Buffs have been working all week to clean up the sloppy play that prevented them from sustaining any momentum last Saturday.
Coming off a hamstring injury, senior tailback Hugh Charles had only four rushing attempts for a total of 13 yards against the Seminoles. Charles’ injury appeared to slow him down a bit, as backup tailback Demetrius Sumler carried the bulk of the load with eight rushes.
“I wasn’t 100 percent for Florida State,” Charles said. “I have to be able to break tackles and gain an extra four or five more yards.”
Charles has been practicing at full speed throughout the week, saying that he is “100 percent better now.”
Physical health aside, Charles is holding his head high, even as some suggest that he may lose his starting job to Sumler.
“Demetrius is the next great back at Colorado. We’re working together, but [the starting job] won’t be taken from me,” Charles said. “I have all the confidence. I built up that confidence over the summer. It’s my last season, and I’m going all out.”
Wheatley Fights Through Injury
Senior Terrence Wheatley suffered a knee injury late in Saturday night’s game against Florida State. While there was no immediate word on the severity of the injury, coach Dan Hawkins has maintained throughout the week that he expects his senior corner to be available this weekend.
When asked how his knee felt, Wheatley was good-spirited and confident, saying that it’s “not a big deal.”
“I went to make a play, ran into a fat lineman, and tripped over a grain of sand,” Wheatley said.
Wheatley plans to be ready Saturday when Miami comes into town. In addition to covering the opponent’s wideouts, Wheatley will continue to return kickoffs.
“I’ll be out there,” Wheatley said. “And no extra pads. I don’t like that.”
Frosh Receiver Excited to be Back
During training camp this summer, there was a huge buzz surrounding freshman wide receiver Josh Smith. The buzz was quickly turned upside down after Smith suffered a bruised kidney in the team’s second scrimmage of fall camp. After missing over three weeks of action, Smith was back for the Florida State game. In the game, Smith hauled in two passes for 40 yards.
“Walking through that tunnel, every little thing I’ve ever felt in my entire life was overtaken,” Smith said of his first game as a Buff. “It was way too much of an honor, especially as a freshman.”
Smith is excited to be back and has high hopes for the Buffs the rest of this season and beyond.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Smith said. “We got a good thing going here, and we’re doing it for us, for the fans, and for the city.”
Contact Staff Writer Derek Scimmel at Derek.schimmel@colorado.edu
