Kronshage Ready To Step In For Injured LT Irwin

BOULDER — Since the beginning of fall camp, Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre has said one of the biggest difference in this year's team compared to last season's is its depth.

That theory received one of its first major tests of the season Tuesday, when the Buffs announced that starting left tackle Jeromy Irwin would be out for the rest of the year with a knee injury. Taking his place in the lineup Saturday vs. Colorado State in Denver (5 p.m., Sports Authority Field, CBS-SN) will be redshirt sophomore Sam Kronshage, a 6-foot-6, 285-pounder from The Woodlands, Texas.

Irwin was hurt in the first half of Saturday's game, and Kronshage played 42 offensive snaps against UMass. He also had 12 offensive snaps against Hawai'i in the season opener, and appeared in two games last year, including playing almost the entire game against Washington after Irwin was injured in that game.

"It's not my first rodeo," Kronshage said Tuesday morning. "I got a bunch of playing time against UMAss, and last year I stepped in there a couple of times. You have to prepare like you're going to be the starter when you're the backup, which I've definitely been doing. When someone goes down you have to be ready to step in and fill that role, and I'm excited to get out there against CSU on Saturday."

MacIntyre said losing Irwin is no doubt a blow.

"It's very unfortunate to lose Jeromy; he's really kept improving," MacIntyre said. "This is his second season ending injury. So, I would believe that he will definitely get a sixth year.  ..  Right now, I hate to lose him. He's a fine young man, he was really playing well. We're definitely going to miss him, there's no doubt about it."

But MacIntyre also has confidence in Kronshage.

"Sam is kind of one of those guys who will scrape, claw and fight to do whatever he's got to do to stop the guy," MacIntyre said. "He did a good job last year when he came in against Washington. … He'll play well and I don't think we will miss a beat. We will miss a beat because we will miss Jeromy, but I think Sam is good enough to play."

While Kronshage does have some significant playing time under his belt, this will be his first start as a Buff.

"At the end of the day, it's just football," Kronshage said. "You have to block the guy you're lined up against and do your job with good technique. I've been preparing and I'll be ready to play CSU."

MacIntyre also said if someone else on the line were to be injured, the Buffs could move current starting right tackle Stephane Nembot to the left side and put backup right tackle John Lisella II, a redshirt freshman, into the starting lineup.