Buffs Fight Through the Cold in Third Scrimmage
BOULDER-The University of Colorado football team scrimmaged through subfreezing temperatures Friday evening, capping of the third week of spring practices.
The Buffs went through 42 live plays with seven-on-seven drills and special teams worked in throughout the session.
"We are definitely way better than we were [at the start of the spring]?way better," head coach Dan Hawkins said. "It was probably the most significant scrimmage we've had."
The offense produced 197 total yards in the controlled scrimmage setting, highlighted by an 8-yard juggling touchdown catch by senior wide receiver Dusty Sprague.
"They couldn't really finish drives; I mean I wouldn't let them," Hawkins said. "They were looking at me cross-eyed, wanting to finish drives, but I was really trying to stick to 40 plays and not go over that too much. That kind of hampers the offensive production a little bit."
Junior quarterback Nick Nelson completed 7-of-14 passes for 60 yards, while redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins completed 3-of-6 passes for 31 yards, a touchdown and an interception on the last play of the scrimmage corralled by junior linebacker R.J. Brown.
"I thought it went really well," Nelson said. "The offense did a great job and I am really proud of them. We are moving the ball well?receivers are making plays, running backs are making plays and the o-line is doing a great job.
"I think we've progressed a ton. Today was definitely a breakout day."
Senior tailback Hugh Charles led all rushers with six carries for 47 yards, including a 37-yards run. Fellow senior Byron Ellis chipped in two carries for 22 yards and sophomore Kevin Moyd gained 29 yards on four rushes.
Sophomore tight end Riar Geer led all receivers with three catches for 29 yards. Junior wide receiver Cody Crawford had two receptions for 17 yards.
Sophomore linebacker Michael Sipili led all defenders with three total tackles, while nine other Buffs finished with two apiece.
Hawkins is pleased with the way his team has progressed three quarters of the way through spring drills. There are only three more practices before the annual spring game Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m.
"I think we just have to continue to iron out some little things?keep working and keep going the direction that we're going," he said. "Hopefully we'll get some good weather and guys will be able to run around a little bit and go full speed that way. I think we've been on a steady incline and we just need to continue to do that."