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Entrenched starters find common ground in CU vs. CSU

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

Published August 28, 2008 at 9:51 p.m.

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Brad Jones offered a puzzled look rather than an answer.

The question: “Have you heard of Jeff Horinek?”

No disrespect toward Horinek, but Jones, Colorado’s starting outside linebacker, isn’t familiar with any members of Colorado State’s defense — even

Horinek, a starting middle linebacker who has more in common with Jones than Jones realizes.

Both are heavily relied-upon seniors with impressive starting streaks —

Horinek at 28 games and Jones at 25, although that figure includes a midseason 2006 contest against Texas Tech, when the Buffaloes opened in a nickel package.

Both linebackers will be spotlighted Sunday in the Rocky Mountain Showdown (5:30 p.m., Invesco Field at Mile High, FSN Rocky Mountain). The Rocky takes a look at each.

Photo by Tim Hussin / The Rocky

CSU's Jeff Horinek: 'We look at it as a must-win'

When Jeff Horinek arrived at Colorado State five years ago, he wasn't sure how soon he'd get onto the football field.

As it turns out, coaches haven't been able to keep him off it.

Horinek, a 6-foot-3, 234-pound linebacker, will make his 29th consecutive start Sunday when the Rams meet Colorado in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Horinek wasn't highly touted coming out of Atwood (Kan.) High School, but he has turned into an impact player for the Rams.

"To be honest, I didn't think I would play much coming out of high school," Horinek said. "If I would play when I was a junior or senior and play special teams, I would be happy. I worked hard, and everything just worked out and I was able to play."

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Photo by Doug Pensinger / Getty Images/2007

CU's Brad Jones: "Pretty much the whole package"

Talk to enough of Brad Jones' buds on the University of Colorado defense and it becomes apparent why George Hypolite refers to Jones as "The Silver Surfer."

Jones, a senior outside linebacker, hasn't starred (yet) in any big-screen fantasy flicks, but he has shown very well, thank you, in plenty of film-room classics in CU's Dal Ward athletics complex. He's close to developing a cult following among the Buffaloes.

This, from junior inside linebacker Jeff Smart: "He's got tons of speed, he's quick to the ball. He's physical, tough -- pretty much the whole package."

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