The injury is another tough blow for the one-win Buffs, who have been going through a difficult season ever since Week 1. With the USC Trojans on deck, we could see some other players step up in Tyson’s absence.
One such player is wide receiver and punt returner Chase Penry. Sanford said on Tuesday that Penry has one more available game to play before he’ll take a redshirt for the season.
Penry was a true freshman last year and appeared in 11 games for Colorado, catching just eight balls for 86 yards and a score. With injuries popping up this year, Sanford appears ready to call on Penry (h/t Adam Munsterteiger of BuffStampede).
“We called him into the offensive staff meeting on Sunday night and I went up to him and acted like he was a recruit,” Sanford said. “I went up to him like, ‘Hey, man, you want to commit to playing for the University of Colorado?’ He’s like, ‘Absolutely, coach.’ So I think he’ll be up and playing this week. … We wanted to maximize that one opportunity.”
That’s one way to look at it. RJ Sneed and Jack Hestera should also see plenty of work, along with Montana Lemonious-Craig. Nonetheless, this is the perfect opportunity for Penry to show what he can do and give the Buffs’ new staff a glimpse of what’s to come next season. Penry has just one catch for 11 yards this year.
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REPORT: Two offensive weapons are out for the Buffs
About half an hour before Colorado’s 1:30 p.m. MT kickoff against Minnesota, it was reported that the Buffs will be without two of their best offensive skill players, running back Alex Fontenot and wide receiver/punt returner Chase Penry.
On Wednesday, Karl Dorrell told the media that Fontenot, who rushed for 53 yards against, is dealing with a chest bruise and was questionable. With Fontenot now out, Deion Smith should be the lead back. Charlie Offerdahl and Jayle Stacks are also set to get more carries.
The reason for Penry’s absence is unknown. Nikko Reed is the Buffs’ backup punt returner.
#CUBuffs are without running back Alex Fontenot and punt returner/receiver Chase Penry for today's game at Minnesota.
What do you expect to see from Colorado’s wide receivers room?
Much like Colorado’s defensive secondary, the wide receivers room experienced significant loss in the offseason and will be relying on a few underclassmen to play bigger roles.
The Buffs also have a couple of other sophomores — Ty Robinson and Chase Penry — that have a year of experience under their belt.
“Everybody in the room is expecting to play a bigger role for the most part,” Lemonious-Craig said. “Guys are stepping up, guys are making plays, they made plays in spring ball and they’re making plays in fall camp. Overall, everybody’s role has expanded from top to bottom. I’m looking forward to those guys being able to step up and help bring wins within the team and help provide execution within the offense.”
Getting strong field position is a must this season and the Buffs’ special teams units can produce
Colorado has built a history of having strong special teams play. The legs of the Buffs’ kickers and punters have sent footballs flying into orbit on a regular basis.
This year seems to be no different as the Buffaloes have highly-touted players in the placekicking and punting rooms. Colorado also returns its top three leaders in special teams point totals from a year ago, along with a host of young players who will be looking to make their mark. Additionally, both the punt and kick return positions also seem to be set going into the season.
Let’s look at how we believe it will all play out.
The Buffs’ offense will be relying on a few wide receivers to take the next step
Colorado has more of a history at the wide receiver position than one might notice given its history of running the football. The Buffs have consistently developed playmakers on the outside and have pushed that talent to the NFL. The 1990s saw eight different Buffs receivers drafted, including four first-round picks in a seven-year span.
Now in 2022, Colorado is looking for new faces to fill the void left by a few players departing via either graduation or the transfer portal.
Will a new Buff be able to join the ranks of the Michael Westbrooks, the Paul Richardsons and the Laviska Shenault Jrs. of the world?
Colorado dropped to 0-15 all-time against Southern California.
Even with a struggling USC team coming into Folsom, the Colorado Buffaloes wrote a familiar script throughout another uninspiring performance.
Colorado lost its fourth consecutive game and lost even more patience from Karl Dorrell. Now into the heart of Pac-12 play, the Buffs’ inexperience—and they’ve got plenty of it—isn’t an excuse anymore.
“We’re at that point there’s an urgency about being more productive and more demanding about what we’re doing,” Dorrell said. “Not that we haven’t done that already, but the pacifier, or the binky, is going to have to go. We got to grow up fast.”
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The play of second-year freshman quarterback Brendon Lewis isn’t exempt from Dorrell’s expectations either. But statistically speaking, Lewis did have his best passing performance this season. Scoring two touchdowns won’t win many games in the Pac-12, but Lewis threw for a season-high 162 yards and one touchdown. His 58.8% completion rate was also his best since Northern Colorado.
The O-line, however, remained a glaring problem. Yes, Lewis’ pocket presence needs improvement, but Colorado can’t allow USC to get five sacks and three QB hits.
“They’re not playing at a level that they should given their experience,” Dorrell said of the O-line.
For the Trojans, who improved to 3-2, they gave Colorado plenty of help by committing 12 penalties for 115 yards. That turned out not to matter much, though, as USC improved to 15-0 all-time against CU.
Oct 2, 2021; Boulder, Colorado, USA; USC Trojans linebacker Drake Jackson (99) pass rushes at Colorado Buffaloes offensive lineman Jake Wiley (60) in the second half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
It would be a major disrespect to Drake London to continue further without mentioning his prowess. The 6-foot-5 wide receiver was simply unguardable. Whether it was Christian Gonzalez, Nigel Bethel or Mark Perry trying to guard him, London even exceeded the hype en route to 130 receiving yards and an impressive one-handed touchdown catch.
“We knew 15 (London) was going to be a threat and he was still making plays regardless of how tightly covered he was,” Isaiah Lewis said.
While the expectations weren’t exactly high, the agony on Saturday was at its worst when USC took a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter.
After USC tacked on a 44-yard field goal to make it 20-0, the Buffs regained a little hope courtesy of their defense. Guy Thomas laid a fumble-inducing hit on USC running back Keaontay Ingram and Mark Perry recovered to give CU’s offense a prime opportunity around midfield. The Buffs fully capitalized when Deion Smith’s goal line patience led to a 1-yard touchdown.
Pretty much the only other positive moment came with a third quarter touchdown drive. Soon after Lewis and Russell connected for a 65-yard catch and run, which was CU’s longest play of the season, true freshman wide receiver Chase Penry caught the first touchdown of his career. The seven points gained cut USC’s lead to 30-14 and, if nothing else, made it less of a blowout.
A fourth quarter that began with USC taking a commanding 23-point lead was not enough to get backup QB Drew Carter into the game. When asked what the quarterback situation looks like moving forward, Dorrell once again said it’s under discussion. He added that there is risk involved with removing Lewis too early and potentially hurting his confidence.
With a 1-4 record now graffitied next to Colorado’s name, Dorrell’s upcoming bye week will be a busy one.
We like to look at the positives here at Buffs Wire and we’ve got another one with Colorado putting together an efficient third quarter touchdown drive.
Brendon Lewis was finally given some protection in the pocket which helped him find Brady Russell for a 65-yard reception. It was Colorado’s longest play of the year and the only one over 40 yards.
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) October 2, 2021
Russell’s surprising tight end speed brought Colorado all the way down to USC’s 9-yard line. One play later, Lewis stayed in the pocket long enough to connect with true freshman Chase Penry in the end zone. The 7-yard catch was Penry’s first as a Buff.
