Colorado Buffaloes Scrimmage Recaps and Position Analysis

The Buffs had a total of 32 receptions for 421 yards in the second scrimmage, with sophomore Scotty McKnight collecting five catches for 73 yards (and a score), Patrick Williams three for 45, and Josh Smith one for 22 yards.

Of those trying to break into the starting lineup, sophomore Kendrick Celestine made the biggest impression, catching three passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns.

Tight ends

Riar Geer, who missed all of spring practice while on suspension, did not appear to have missed a step in his preparation to return as a starter this fall.  The junior collected three passes for 34 yards, including a 26-yard catch, in the first scrimmage.

Also on the stats sheet in the first week were true freshman Ryan Deehan, who had two catches for eight yards, and junior Patrick Devenny, who had a 13-yard grab.

In the second scrimmage, it was the freshman Ryans—Deehan and Wallace—collecting the catches and the accolades.  Deehan had five receptions for 71 yards on the afternoon, while Wallace had two catches for 38 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown.

"In terms of the older guys, we’ve got a pretty good idea of who will play," said tight ends coach Kent Riddle.  "The younger guys, we’re just trying to bring them along and force feed them as much as possible and see what they’re ready to do.  Ryan Deehan did a nice job today."

Offensive line

The news for the offensive line in the second week of camp was that there was no news on the placement of the CU tackles.  After toying with the concept of moving the more agile Nate Solder to right tackle, and moving the more experienced Ryan Miller to left tackle, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes decided the two were staying put.

"I think we’re going to keep Ryan at right and Nate at left unless something changes," said Grimes.

With senior Daniel Sanders entrenched at center, the guard positions are up for grabs.  One of those spots is likely to be filled by junior Devin Head, who started in 2007 before Ryan Miller’s move into the starting lineup pushed then-tackle Edwin Harrison to the guard position—and Head to the bench.

"Absolutely, it (not winning his starting guard position back) would be hard," said Head of his bid to return to the starting lineup.  "It would definitely be tough to deal with, but we all have some rough times. If that were the case, I would be supportive of any of the other young guys and do whatever I could to help them get better."

Head is just one of six guards vying for two positions, but the other five are all either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen.  One of the true freshmen to make an impression was Bryce Givens.  "Obviously, he’s talented," said Grimes of his prize 2008 recruit.  "He’s got all the intangibles that you’re looking for that would give a freshman an opportunity to come in and play."

The issue of the final two starters remained unresolved after the second scrimmage.  While noting that Devin Head has more experience that the other guard candidates, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said, "The guard position is still totally up in the air.  We’ve got six guys competing for two spots, and we might go into the first game or two without those positions being completely settled."

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