You had to figure Colorado answered a few of Mike MacIntyre’s pressing questions about his team during its 45-13 win Friday night against Colorado State.
Two areas came readily to mind.
“I think our D-line answered some questions,†the sixth-year Buffaloes head coach said Tuesday. “We have a couple young guys and a couple older guys who have gotten in better shape and have gotten better. They played with good pad level and played well. Of course, we’ll face a better offensive line this week.â€
Colorado State (0-2) managed to find the end zone only once in losing to Colorado for the fourth straight season. Next up for CU is Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. non-conference showdown against Nebraska in Lincoln. The former Big Seven, Big Eight and Big 12 rivals last met in 2010.
In addition to the Buffs’ D-line stepping up last week, MacIntyre liked what he saw from freshman center Colby Pursell.
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“He played excellent,†the coach said. “So those are two areas I was a little concerned about going in, to see if we had improved as much as I thought we had in those areas.â€
He added, “I knew all of our skill guys would make plays.â€
Laviska Shenault Jr., a 6-foot-2, 220-pound sophomore from DeSoto, Texas, caught 11 passes for 211 yards to lead the way. He had seven catches all of last season, but averaged 24.0 yards on those catches.
“He can do so many different things, and every game will probably be a little different so they can’t just key-in on him,†MacIntyre said.
Junior quarterback Steven Montez was 22-for-25 passing for 338 yards and four touchdowns, and had two passes dropped.
Meanwhile, MacIntyre praised Colorado’s blocking on the perimeter.
“It was the best blocking I’ve ever seen by our receivers,†he said.
So, Colorado now gears up for Nebraska, and Buffs players apparently have an idea about the teams’ history of heated games.
“The kids have heard a lot about the rivalry since they’ve been here, especially this year with this game coming up,†MacIntyre said. “Everybody’s been talking about it around here since I think the end of last season, to be honest with you. They know a lot about it. They see a lot of things. They read a lot of things. And we have two coaches on our staff who played in that rivalry.â€
He referred to co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini, a Buff from 1994-98, and running backs coach Darian Hagan (1988-91).
A crafty option quarterback, Hagan led Colorado to the 1990 national championship, a season that included a 27-12 win in Lincoln.
“Hagan had some unbelievable games against Nebraska,†MacIntyre said. “So we have some people who have hands-on knowledge (of the rivalry) and are around the kids every day. They do understand how big of a rivalry it is, and they’re excited about playing it.â€
MacIntyre didn’t sound overly concerned about the noise level at Memorial Stadium.
“We’ve played at Oregon, Michigan and Utah and all that, so I think we’ll be ready to handle all that. We played loud music in practice every day, its louder than the stadium, especially when we’re inside. They players will be ready. We just have to handle it. It’s all played out between the white lines. That’s what they’re excited about doing.â€