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QB Nelson enjoying solid spring
Colorado quarterback Nick Nelson is quietly having a solid spring. In fact, the numbers say he is the most efficient and dependable of the three players competing for the starting job.
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Nelson, who served as Cody Hawkins' backup last year in his first season in Boulder after transferring from junior college, is feeling more comfortable than ever. He credits a change in the offense in which the quarterback now operates almost exclusively in the shotgun formation with three or four receivers spread across the field.
It is almost identical to the offense Nelson led two years ago at Saddleback College in California. He threw for 2,241 yards and 18 touchdowns that season while completing 62 percent of his passes.
Nelson has completed nearly 69 percent of his throws in the first two scrimmages this spring and he hasn't thrown an interception, something Hawkins or Matt Ballenger can't say.
Nelson led the Buffs to four scores on Saturday in the second scrimmage and threw two touchdown passes. He has completed 22 of 32 throws for 243 yards in the two scrimmages combined.
"I think the thing that hurt Nick last year more than anything was he would just get so hard on himself and when things didn't go so well he'd be down on himself," coach Dan Hawkins said. "I remember telling him at spring break last year, 'Just go home and relax a little bit and come back with a smile on your face.' "
Nelson said his familiarity with the offense and a year in the program has led to him not guessing as much as he did a year ago. He knows where receivers will be and is making decisions with authority and confidence, which shows in the results he produces.
"I think I've been doing well. I mean, a lot better than last year at this point," Nelson said.
Daily double
Senior wide receiver Cody Crawford blocked two punts off the foot of reserve punter Tom Suazo Saturday, but the offense was only able to turn the ensuing field position into a pair of field goals.
Crawford seems to have found another niche for himself beyond his role as the most reliable pair of hands on the team. He just missed blocking a punt in a game last season, but it's looking like opponents are going to have to pay attention to him in 2008.
Third-down success
Fans looking for positive signs from the offense and three Buff quarterbacks can point to a solid third-down conversion rate so far this spring. It's obviously not good news for the CU defense.
The Buffs converted 12 of 26 third-down opportunities on Saturday and 13 of 27 in the first scrimmage.
Kicking woes
Place-kickers Aric Goodman and Jameson Davis were perfect on seven extra-point attempts but both missed field goal attempts again in scrimmage No. 2.
Goodman missed from 41 yards out and Davis clanged a 27-yard attempt off the left upright. Neither player seems to have separated himself in the battle for the kicking duties.
At this point the best option could be to have Goodman serve as the primary place-kicker with Davis handling kickoffs and longer field-goal attempts. But there is a long way to go before coaches must make a decision.
Notable
Wide receiver Markques Simas was absent Saturday attending the funeral of a close friend. ... Quarterback Kyle Black was held out Saturday because of a hamstring injury that has caused him problems this spring. ... The Buffs will practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursday next week before the spring game in Folsom Field at 1 p.m. next Saturday.
Posted by MDBuff on April 13, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So do you predict we'll see Nelson on the field more, or will he still serve as a backup for Cody>
Posted by buffballaz on April 13, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
from what i saw yesterday, cody still looked better and that td he throw to devenney was a very good throw.
Posted by mifrfi on April 13, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope Nick continues to come into his own. Regardless of who ends up the starter, the competition should raise everyones game.
Go Buffs!!
Posted by BuffTime on April 13, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The best quarterback will get on the field. If it turns out to be Nelson than I'm sure tall or whos will do some genealogy work and find some 7 generations back link to Hawkins so they can continue their rants. :-)
Posted by MinnesotaBuff on April 13, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to agree with mifrfi. Competition at the QB spot along with LB and RB will raise the game of all involved.
To tell the truth, I don't care who starts for the Buffs as long as they deliver W's. With the Buffs brutal schedule this year I think experience will be a major factor in choosing a starting QB.
Posted by RIBuff on April 13, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have nothing against Hawkins. As a matter of fact I think he has tremendous heart and had really good numbers for a freshman QB last year. But, if Nelson really is the better QB I hope we see him start. I wish I could be at the Spring game but my ship is scheduled to deploy so I will have to read about it later. If you are in Colorado or have the means, fill the stands and lets show the nation how proud we are to be Buffs!!!
Go Buffs!!!
Posted by badbuff on April 13, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget Spring game......
all luck to RIBUff on his deployment......
GO CU
Posted by DCBuff on April 14, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can someone tell me why Celestine is not play during Saturday's scrimmage? I really don't think I saw him out there once. I was impressed with the offense but I would like to see the receivers see the ball more. I'm concerned that Josh Smith only had one catch. That guy should be getting the ball several times each game. I was also also impressed with all 3 of the quarterbacks this weekend. They all threw the ball nicely.
Posted by tallisall on April 14, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cody will start. He'll "emerge" after a "great" summer with the 7 on 7 drills.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on April 14, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that would be great, he could kick some serious tall this fall
Posted by tallisall on April 14, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't know about that, last season CU did mostly end arounds and short 4 yards passes sideways.
Really don't see that changing much.
Posted by buffalo_flyer on April 14, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
then you haven't been paying attention or just don't really follow cfb
Posted by RWE on April 14, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with DC, I'd like to see some more balls to Smith and some of these other WRs like Simas, etc. Though Williams had another couple of good catches again, and this Espinoza guy...reminded me of a cross between the Roadrunner and a Kawasaki. His wheels move like the Roadrunner's, and then he leans side to side like a superbike. Just fun to watch.
Posted by buffballaz on April 15, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just because Smith, Simas, Celestine are catching balls in the spring doesn't mean anything, its just because there are so many receivers and scout players that all get reps. Those guys will be are primary receivers in the fall and I think Celestine was limited due to injury. GO BUFFS
Posted by brad2024 on April 15, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very true you can't take spring as an exact outlook for coming fall, it's a time to see young guys improve and old guys work on details. Everyones getting reps and there trying a lot of new things to eventually put a final product together. Love to see Lockride speed and agility be used for the reciever sweeps, and in other spots more.
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