Wet Field Sends Buffs To Boulder HS For Friday Drills

BOULDER - With a snow storm fast approaching, Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre decided to take advantage of what might be his final chance to practice outdoors for a quite while by moving the team's Friday session to the football fields at nearby Boulder High School.

 MacIntyre and his Buffs have practiced inside their bubble structure below Folsom Field for the first two days of spring camp. They will more than likely work from inside it again Saturday morning as heavy snow is forecast for the metro area.

With only 15 spring practices allotted, MacIntyre knows his time is limited to work in an environment that will more closely mimic game days this fall.

"It was great (practicing at Boulder High)," said MacIntyre. "The snow (from last week) had all melted but our practice field was all muddy and I wanted to get outside because it might be snowing again tomorrow. I didn't want to be in the bubble again. It was really excellent out there. We had a lot of room and the kids enjoyed running around out there. Some of them had never been there even though it was right by campus. About half of (the players) had never been there. It was fun."

The outdoor session also gave the team the opportunity to work in the kicking game without worrying about the restrictions inside the bubble.

"It definitely affects kickoffs and punting," said MacIntyre. "But, what they do is, (special teams coach) Toby (Neinas) takes (the kickers) outside and they clear off some snow and they kick out there but we don't get to work on it as a team. So, we did some of that today so in that area, getting outdoors really helped."

Saturday's practice (8:50-11 a.m.) will be the first of the spring open to the public.  All are welcome for an early glimpse of Colorado football in 2015.

THOMPSON SEES FIRST CONTACT SINCE INJURY

For the first time since a frightening concussion in late October that would sideline him for the remainder of the season, safety Tedric Thompson participated in full-contact drills on Friday. Thompson did not tackle but was allowed to hit in workouts and MacIntyre thought the result was positive.

"He did well today," MacIntyre said. "Today was the first time he has hit since (his injury). We didn't go to the ground but he was doing well in the tackling drills. I never saw him shudder away or anything like that. It was just one of those freaky deals where a knee hit him in the head. I think he'll be fine."

Thompson led the team in both interceptions and in tackles at the time of the injury on October 25th. His loss over the final month of the season forced a fast-improving defense to take a step back without one of its most talented athletes.

"He was playing really, really well when he went out in the UCLA game there," said MacIntyre. "That hurt us in some other games because he was starting to make plays and (interceptions). He was very active. I think he was kind of coming into his own at the time. Hopefully he'll keep improving from there and I believe he will."