Colorado Buffaloes Scrimmage Recaps and Position Analysis

Fall Camp Update: Less than two weeks to game time!

There was some bad news early in the second week of fall camp, as freshman linebacker Jon Major was lost for the season with a torn ACL.  Major, one of the prize recruits of the 2008 class and considered—along with CU offensive lineman Bryce Givens—one of the top two players coming out of the state of Colorado this year, was injured during a non-contact drill during practice on August 12th.

Major joins redshirt freshman guard Mike Iltis and senior defensive lineman Drew Hudgins on the Buff sidelines, as Iltis and Hudgins have also suffered season-ending ACL injuries during fall camp (Hudgins will be applying for a medical redshirt and a sixth year of eligibility).

"It’s always frustrating, but I’m trying to be optimistic," said Major of his injury.  "I think it’s probably the best (timing) for this.  It gives you a free year to develop on and off the field."

While Major was trying to make the best of his bad luck, questions arose as to whether offseason conditioning or the condition of the practice facilities had anything to do with the Buffs’ rash of ACL injuries.  CU head coach Dan Hawkins said he didn’t know how that would be possible, saying, "We’d have to stop running, because that’s basically when they’ve happened."

Hawkins later noted that in his first season at Colorado, shoulder injuries seemed to be happening all too often.  As Major put it, "That’s the nature of the beast."  (It is also worth noting that Florida this summer has lost five players to ACL injuries).

First scrimmage: Monday, August 11

While Major, Iltis, and Hudgins prepared for surgery and rehabilitation, fall camp moved on.  On Monday, August 11, the Buffs ran through a scrimmage of just over 100 plays.  More than just a walk-through, the scrimmage was a full audition for playing time.

"We’re trying to push the depth chart issue right now," said Dan Hawkins before the scrimmage.  "We’re trying to shove these guys into game mode. ... Sometimes you scrimmage and just learn to run plays; we get enough of that in practice.  We’re looking for playmakers."

Well, did the Buffs find any?

The answer would have to be a qualified "yes."  As with any scrimmage, any good play by the offense can also be construed as a bad play by the defense.  That being said, there were some big plays made on both sides of the ball.

Overall?  "We’re in better shape and the guys are bigger, faster, and stronger," Hawkins said.  "We’ve also got more guys."

Senior safety Ryan Walters, likely to be named a CU captain this fall, agreed.  "It was a pretty intense scrimmage for this early," said Walters.  "There’s more depth, more good players, and more competition."

Quarterback Cody Hawkins posted some impressive statistics, completing 17 of 26 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns.  Darrell Scott, making his much-anticipated debut as a Buff, led all rushers with 86 yards on 14 carries.  The receiving corps was led by Scott’s uncle, sophomore Josh Smith, who hauled in three catches for 72 yards.

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