Buffs Hold First Spring Scrimmage
BOULDER-The University of Colorado football team wrapped up its first scrimmage of the spring on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Folsom Field.
The offense and defense went at each other for 109 plays with the offense scoring six touchdowns and racking up 635 total yards (313 rushing, 322 passing).
"We had some big plays, which is what the coaches are asking for," said sophomore tailback Demetrius Sumler, who had 12 carries for 47 yards on the ground and caught five passes for 81 yards and a score. "We had spurts where we drove the ball and looked good and there were times when the defense just shut us down. We have a lot of room to improve."
Redshirt freshman tailback Arthur Jaffee led all rushers with 98 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Sophomore tailback Corey Nabors, who head coach Dan Hawkins announced was placed on scholarship in the team huddle after the scrimmage, finished with 58 yards on 10 carries.
Sophomore quarterback Cody Hawkins completed 10-of-18 passes on the afternoon for 168 yards and three touchdowns, one of which was a 45-yard pass to junior tight end Patrick Devenny, who dragged a defender to the end zone and stretched the ball over the goal line for the score.
"I think our team got rolling out of the gates pretty well," Hawkins said. "Every once in a while?when we started rotating ones and twos and throwing different guys in there just so they can get reps?we kind of lost a little bit of chemistry there. But I think we are clicking really well."
Senior quarterback Nick Nelson completed 10-of-15 passes for 103 yards and redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Ballenger completed 3-of-10 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Patrick Williams caught four passes for 44 yards and senior fullback Maurice Cantrell caught four passes for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, junior linebacker Bryan Stengel led the Buffs with 11 tackles (six solo) and had two tackles for a loss. Freshman linebacker Brandon Gouin chipped in 10 tackles (six solo) and led the defense with three tackles for a loss. A third linebacker, senior Brad Jones racked up nine tackles (four solo) with two tackles for a loss and a sack.
"We were a little shorthanded," defensive coordinator Ron Collins said of his linebacking corps which was missing about half of its players. "But the good news-bad news is that we get the young guys out here and give them a chance to play."
Defensive back is another position where young players will be expected to fill a void this season. Redshirt freshman Anthony Perkins had seven tackles on the day and linebacker/defensive back Travis Sandersfeld had the Buffs' lone interception. Collins said from what he can tell the group has a long way to go.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Conrad Obi made his presence felt, chipping in two tackles and a sack and batting down two passes at the line of scrimmage.