Richardson out for year; torn ACL

Junior wide receiver Paul Richardson was injured in Monday's practice, and was latter diagnosed with a torn knee ligament that will keep him off the field for the entire 2012 season.

This is a huge loss for the Buffs nearly a week before the Colorado football spring game.

According to the CUBuffs website Richardson tore the ACL in his knee when he was "simply planting and trying to make a turn in a non-contact special teams drill."

Richardson was a dynamic threat for the offense last year. Despite missing four games with a sprained knee in 2011 he was still the third leading receiver on the Buffaloes roster, with 39 catches and a total of 555 yards.



The fluke injury hurts the Buffaloes who are very inexperienced on the offensive side of the ball. Richardson was assuming a role as a leader on the team, in the locker room and on the field.

"Obviously, it's a blow to our team, but it's a part of the game," head coach Jon Embree said. "It's an opportunity for others to step up and try to lessen his loss. I thought at first he just rolled his ankle, and it turned out to be this [torn ACL]. It's a shame because he's worked real hard and was doing a great job both on and off the field, leading by example and improving on all the things he needed to work on." (via CUBuffs.com)

Richardson will use a redshirt year and come back with two years of eligibility in 2013.

[Information and quotes from CUBuffs.com]

Buffs program on the rise- Part 2

 Expectations follow success, and expectations mean pressure.

These two attributes have been a rarity around the Colorado basketball program for quite a while. But after back-to-back twenty win seasons and growing interest around the community and around the country it only another step in Tad Boyles elaborate plan.

“I do think we have a brand that we are trying to establish,” said Boyle, who is keen on developing relationships that will last. “Colorado basketball in the west coast, and what we did this year in the Pac-12 tournament opened some eyes so that might open some doors.”

The tournament that the Buffs upset the balance of power in the Pac-12 Conference was a giant leap for the program. 

In his second year in Boulder, Boyle was already getting recognition. He didn’t win Coach of the Year, despite some pundits pleading his case, but his name did come up in the talks of other, high paid and higher profile, jobs around the country. 

Boyle is here to stay; to see through the imminent positive future of Colorado basketball. 

“My commitment level to Colorado basketball is as high as it has ever been. I am fortunate to be here, I am humbled to be here, and I'm hungry,” said Boyle.

Colorado Signing Day-Part 2 Wright or Wrong

     It was rather fitting that almost 140 characters into the signing day press conference Embree was talking about controversial corner back Yuri Wright. Hejust happened to go in reverse alphabetical order, but nonetheless the recruit that had drawn so much attention, nearly more nationally than locally, was first on the docket.

     “He touched a hot stove,” Embree said of Wright. Wright was recently expelled from Don Bosco Prep school after sending out several vulgar and profane tweets.“I'll be surprised if he touches it again. He's very remorseful.”

But while other schools that had interest in Wright, big schools along the likes Michigan, pulled their scholarships, Colorado and Embree remained true to their word. In a stand that spoke louder than any yell he could muster, and Embree sure knows how to do just that, he conferred in Mike Bohn, Colorado athletic director,and Chancellor of the University of his intentions to continue after one of the most talents ball-hawks in the country.

“I didn't have any reservations,” said Embree.

Embree is sharp, passionate, and he loves a challenge so it was no surprise he was willing to take a chance on Wright.

           “Sometimes it's a hard lesson and yet at the same time I don't think it's a reason to not allow a kid an opportunity to improve himself,” said Embree. The coach is also willing to teach the athletes how to be men off the field as well. “It has nothing to do with football.”

           Whether you call it a second chance or risky bet, Embree is willing to push this through. If not completely tech savy, although he is on Twitter @JEbuffs, the head coach is aware of the way things are and how his players communicate and interact with players, friends, fans and others across a multitude of platforms.

“I have shared that with our team, about the responsibility that comes with social media.  I don't want to ban them because that train has left the station,”Embree said. He doesn’t necessarily embrace all the antics of his players, but he will have to keep some in check. “That's part of them, and growing up is learning some of these lessons.”

Chucky Jeffery gets to 1,000 points

“Coaches helped me evolve a little bit, I'm a scorer now,” said Colorado Buffaloes guard Chucky Jeffery who, after just two and a half season in Boulder has transformed into a leader for the Buffs and a big-time scorer.

Jeffery scored 18 points in a loss to Oregon on Saturday night to push herself over 1,000 for her career. She is only the 24^th Buff to collect that many points in a career.

“It feels good to get 1,000 points,” said Jeffery of the feat. “It's very humbling and it makes you hungry for more.”

The junior guard from Colorado Springs, Colorado (Sierra High School) has been a staple in the Buffaloes backcourt since her arrival on campus in 2009. In only her second game in Boulder she recorded double figures in points with 11. As a freshman she averaged 9.3 points per contest, which was third on the team.

Coming into her sophomore year her role as leader and scoring came natural. She averaged 13.5 points per game, second to only Brittany Spears. After two complete years in Boulder, Jeffery continued to be on the rise just like the entire Buff team.

“You just have to keep playing and keep working hard and come every day with a positive attitude and that will get you through most of the time,” said Jeffery who knows that this accomplishment is far from an individual milestone. “Depend on your team mates and coaches. The more you reach out the more comfortable you'll be getting over that little hump.”

After the graduation and departure of Spears, Colorado’s all time leading scorer there was only one player that could fill her shoes. Jeffery is 7^th in the Pac-12 in scoring, averaging 15.1 points.

But while Jeffery isn’t sneaking up on anyone her team is. The Buffs came out of the gates fast and were off to one their best starts in the programs history. Colorado started 12-0 but they have fallen off slightly in the tough Pac-12 Conference.  

“We have the last 5 of our 7 games on our home floor and we couldn't be in a better position than right now,” said Jeffery who remains confident about the imminent future. “We have to come out aggressive, pushing the ball, playing defense and getting back to ourselves. Hopefully we get some wins out of that.”