Colorado Buffaloes Scrimmage Recaps and Position Analysis

While praising the defense, Dan Hawkins was not critical of the offensive effort.  "Definitely as a whole (the offense did well)," Hawkins said.  "It was interesting because we put so much new stuff in, but now we have to ratchet it down and get the ones and twos going.  It's time to start doing some more game stuff and start to prepare for the Rams."

How players in each unit fared, and how the starting lineups for August 31 are beginning to take shape, is detailed below.

Position updates

Offense

Quarterback

While the battle for the starting position was all but over after spring practice, an interesting battle is shaping up as to who will be Cody Hawkins’ primary backup.  Senior Nick Nelson was the backup of choice last season, but redshirt freshman Matt Ballenger is making his bid to be the first off the bench.

"Everyone wants a chance, and hopefully I’ll get that this year," said Ballenger.  "If I don’t, I’m just going to try and keep getting better and show them I can one day maybe be the starter."

None of the backups—not Nelson, Ballenger, nor true freshman Tyler Hansen—were very successful in the first scrimmage.  The three combined to throw a total of 17 passes, completing only six.  Ballenger did have one touchdown pass, a five-yarder to senior wide receiver Steve Melton.

Still, the elder Hawkins was satisfied with the progress of the quarterbacks not named Hawkins.  "We give them a lot of reps in practice and try to keep their mental edge on," said Coach Hawkins.  "And if you need them, you go to the bullpen, and they come in and throw strikes."

In the second scrimmage, with Nick Nelson out with an abdominal injury, Matt Ballenger was given the opportunity to make his case.  Ballenger completed 12 of 22 passes for 142 yards with one interception.

Tyler Hansen was only in for three series (compared to seven for Ballenger), but completed three of four passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

Running back

As the 2007 season came to a close, the Buffs knew that they would be losing 1,000-yard rusher Hugh Charles.  They also knew they had a stable full of good players to replace Charles.  What they didn’t know—at least for sure, not until now—is how well that corps of returning backs would be supplemented by this year’s freshman class.

That Darrell Scott guy?  The one with all of the preseason accolades?  Talented, personable, humble, team player?  Well, so far he is all that—and a bag of chips.

Despite nursing a slight groin injury, Scott led all CU rushers in the first scrimmage, picking up 86 yards on 14 carries, including a 39-yard run.  "The guy’s a load when he gets his pads squared," said CU offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich.

But Scott wasn’t alone in making a good first impression.  Ray Polk and Rodney Stewart, also true freshmen, made impressive debuts.  Polk chipped in 35 yards on only six carries, and Stewart—soon to be referred to in Buff circles only by his nickname, "Speedy"—had 29 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards on just six touches.

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