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CU report: Buffs work on 'team unity'

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 20, 2008 at 11:15 p.m.

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He said it

"Every fullback gets the ball two times a year, whether he likes it or not."

Hawkins, on the role of starting fullback Maurice Cantrell.

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The Buffaloes spent much of Monday evening and Tuesday engaged in what coach Dan Hawkins terms "team unity" functions, which included a trip to Dave & Buster's, an impromptu diving competition at the CU recreation center pool (receiver Josh "J-Fly" Smith is reportedly the Buff to beat) and a three-point-shooting contest at the rec center's basketball courts.

Hawkins is a huge believer in the benefits of team chemistry, what it does for individuals and the formula required to achieve it.

"There's so much magic in the world, and sometimes, we let life trample that down," he said. "If I can get every single guy on our team to understand the dynamics and believe in those dynamics and have that pumping in their heart, we're going to graduate 100 percent of our guys, keep 100 percent of our guys out of trouble, we're going to win all our games. . . .

"That's my quest always with these guys - getting them to realize that."

Talking redshirt

Hagan plans to discuss whether a redshirt is a good idea for running back Ray Polk, which Hagan said the freshman from Phoenix initially opposed.

Hagan conceded that with Scott and Rodney Stewart on hand, and barring injuries to any more of his players, having Polk sit out this season was the "best-case scenario."

Polk has said he is not opposed to playing only special teams during his first season.

Thumbs up (and iced)

Prized freshman tailback Darrell Scott gave coaches a scare Wednesday morning when he suffered a sprained left thumb during a pass-protection drill. Scott left practice but returned later with his thumb iced and immobilized.

"I'm just glad he didn't break it," running-backs coach Darian Hagan said.

Scott said the injury would not keep him out of any work, and Hawkins said: "I think he'll be OK. We'll just have to tape it up and keep it from moving around."

Meanwhile, senior quarterback Nick Nelson, who missed Sunday's second scrimmage with a torn abdominal muscle, said he is out at least two weeks, putting redshirt freshman Matt Ballenger in the driver's seat to be Cody Hawkins' backup.

Comments

  • August 21, 2008

    10:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    fastnloose writes:

    go buffs!

  • August 21, 2008

    11:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ParkHillPosse writes:

    CSU is going to get rolled by the Buffs next weekend.