BUFFS MAY GET BIG BOOST IN RECRUITING BY PLAYING IN TEXAS

san antonio» Any questions about the fertile nature of the recruiting ground in all corners of the huge state of Texas were answered at a table on an elevated stage inside a hotel ballroom Monday.

Oklahoma State sent four players from its defense to an afternoon news conference to promote the Alamo Bowl on Thursday, when the Cowboys play Colorado. The four Oklahoma State players — defensive tackle Vincent Taylor and defensive backs Ramon Richards, Jordan Sterns and Tre Flowers — hail from San Antonio, which has long been placed behind places such as Dallas, Houston and collective East Texas as a recruiting destination.

“I think it’s getting recruited a lot more now,” said Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer. “These four guys to my left are the reason why. (Other schools) are saying, ‘Geez, these guys from San Antonio are beating our tail every year.’ Last time I checked, our record against Texas schools was pretty stout, and I think (other schools) all getting smart, which is bad for me, bad for us. But it’s these guys that have — they made the reputation.”

Colorado has made no secret about trying to make its own foray into Texas, and the Buffs have found success. Nine players from Texas have verbally committed to play for CU next season, including three from DeSoto High School, which last week won a state championship in the state’s highest classification.

Yes, the biggest goal for the Buffs this week is grabbing a victory that will make them just the fourth team in school history to win 11 games. But there’s also the matter of leaving a lasting impression in a state that is important to the program’s future.

“This is where we’re supposed to be,” said Darrin Chiaverini, CU’s recruiting coordinator, co-offensive coordinator and former wide receiver. “You know, winning I think lit a fire not only from our alumni and people that follow the program, but kids that we’re recruiting or the kids that are committed to our class, they didn’t get a chance to see Colorado like I did growing up. So it’s been great not only for recruiting, for our players, for everybody around the program, but in my mind, this is long overdue.”

It takes two.

The co-coordinator situation that has Chiaverini and Brian Lindgren directing the CU offense isn’t found too many places across college football.

But senior quarterback Sefo Liufau said it’s worked out great for the Buffs this season.

“I didn’t know what to think at first,” Liufau said. “I’ve never really heard of a co-offensive coordinator kind of system. But as the year progressed, it’s been wonderful. I think the cliché of saying two minds are better than one or however it goes, it’s been great.”

Footnotes.

Former CU quarterback Koy Detmer was among the visitors to the Buffs’ practice at the University of the Incarnate Word on Monday. … CU players attended the SpursBulls game on Christmas. Their team event Monday was a trip to SeaWorld San Antonio.