The Spring Game
filed in Post-game on Apr.21, 2003
The spring game is more than just a game, it is a time to celebrate CU football. The big time fans showed up to see the former greats play a little flag football, to see the youth of the future test their skills on tackling dummies, and to see the state of the team of the present.
Well Hagan still had touch on the ball in the flag football game. He connected for a long touchdown pass to big man Leonared Renfro. The young kids were out in force. I would estimate that over 100 under 12′s were practicing their kicking and hitting the tackling dummies. I will get some pictures together sometime soon.
By the time the real Spring game started we were already plenty high on CU football. The team looked good. We saw plenty of all three quarterbacks, but there wasn’t much that was too impressive. Cox suffered the most as he was repeatedly sacked and threw an interception on the last play of the game. Klatt was good but not great. I think all of the QBs and RBs were a little shaky behind our O-line which has more to do with the O-line than the skill players. The defense looked strong though. I was especially impressed with our Safeties. Both Akarika Dawn and Medford Moorer showed they can still put on the big hits when they are called upon. Iwuh was pretty strong out there too.
Jeremy Bloom stepped on the field in his street clothes to return a kick. He was promptly picked up by Sean Tufts, carried 10 yards and hurled to the ground. It was a great sight and the whole stadium got a chuckle out of it. In the end, it was just great to see the team on the field and know that they are getting ready for that grueling non-conference schedule, including our must-win opener.
One more note. One of our new kickers Zaitz put in a 47 yard field goal with room to spare. Eberhart also made one from 25. Plus we still have Mason Crosby joining the group in the fall.
Spring Awards:
Fred Casotti Award (Outstanding Offensive Back): TB Brian Calhoun
Joe Romig Award (Outstanding Offensive Lineman): OG Marwan Hage
Hale Irwin Award (Outstanding Defensive Back): WS Brian Iwuh
Dan Stavely Award (Outstanding Defensive Lineman): DE Gabe Nyenhuis
Most Improved Offensive Player: WR Ron Monteilh
Most Improved Defensive Player: CB Sammy Joseph
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April 21st, 2003 on 11:38 am
I resent the implication that the people who did not attend this year’s spring game are not “big time fans”. And I have one (or more) question(s) for you Marcus, will ALL those same “big time fans” show up for the ALL the home games this year? Do ALL those “big time fans” have season tickets? Or are some of those “big time fans” going to shirk their team to move to Hawaii?? Can you feel that? Huh, can you??
But on a serious note, I’m concerned about the team once again this year. QBs sound shakey, O-line sounds shakey (which we all know is the cornerstone of a good offense) and one has to wonder if the D looks good right now because the O is so pathetic. But I have faith we’ll find a way to pull it together. I was concerned last spring and we still managed to win the North. And I definitely agree, the opener is a must win damnit!
April 22nd, 2003 on 8:55 am
I am sorry but i have to agree with Ryno. If i were in colorado i would be at the spring game but seeing how i live in Nebraska i couldnt really make the game. HOWEVER you will not see a bigger colorado fan anywhere. PERIOD. My wedding is on saturday and my grooms cake is a replica of Folsom field. I dont own many other clothing that doesnt have a buff on it. Yes i was born in the husker state but i bleed black and gold. I always have.
I am very worried about that O line and the Skill positions. We need to win the first game to get these kids ready for that devil of a schedule. If it comes down to it BEAT NEBRASKA! I hate the huskers and sick of putting up with that crap. I love gloting and dont want it to end anytime soon.
GO BUFFS!!!
April 22nd, 2003 on 12:41 pm
I was disappointed with the turn out at the spring game as well. I just think it’s sad that we’re growing into a big time program and nobody cares enough to take a few hours out of their saturday to see what the team looks like. Oklahoma had over 40,000 fans at their spring game this year. CU had a fraction of that.
Our defense is going to be very solid. There are some young players, but all of these guys are prototypes for what the coaches want in their change to a quicker, defensive back oriented D. Akarika Dawn and Iwuh are gonna deliver some punishing hits. Thaddeus Washington and Chris Hollis are going to be ball hawks in the mold of Jashon Sykes.
I also think the attention that the O line is getting is a little bit hyped up. They looked so mediocre in the spring game because two probable starters were out and the depth chart was all messed up. They will be inexperienced, but I think they’ll be ok as long as they get through the CSU game.