Mac: Andersen deserved more time
Mike MacIntyre received a text message Monday that made him smile, and then frown, because Gary Andersen’s dry sense of humor could flush out the dread for a brief moment. Colorado travels to Oregon State this week, and Andersen wrote: “I guess I won’t see you on Saturday.”
A fact that left MacIntyre visibly torn Tuesday when he addressed reporters for the first time since Andersen resigned as head coach from Oregon State and agreed to waive his remaining contractually guaranteed salary of millions.
“I don’t know anything that happened,” MacIntyre said, “but I do wish he was still here.”
The connection between Andersen and MacIntyre dates to 2010, when they met as opposing coaches in the Western Athletic Conference, Mike at San Jose State and Gary at Utah State, with Andersen’s Aggies earning a 38-34 road win. Both coaches jumped to the Power 5 the same 2013 season, MacIntyre at CU and Andersen at Wisconsin, before Andersen was hired to lead the Beavers two years later.
“Every time I’ve been around (Andersen) and seen him deal with his teams, he’s been a great person and excellent coach,” MacIntyre said. “I definitely think he should still be there for what he did at Utah State and how he turned that program around and what he did at Wisconsin. … I do think if they would have given him enough time, then he would have been successful, because he’s done it in other places.”
MacIntyre added: “I’m there for him and I’m thinking about him.”
As for the impact Andersen’s departure will have on Saturday’s game? Hard to say. Wholesale scheme changes are unlikely with interim coach Cory Hall, the Beavers’ former cornerbacks coach, but CU expects a motivated opponent nonetheless.
“I definitely feel like they’re going to play even harder,” CU tailback Phillip Lindsay said. “I’ve got a couple of good friends on (OSU). They’re going to go out there and prove that they’re not the reason why the coach left.”
No place like home.
It’s been more than a month since Colorado State last played at its new on-campus stadium, a 38-10 victory against Abilene Christian on Sept. 9. But after a three-game road slate and a bye week, the Rams are finally returning to Fort Collins for an 8:15 p.m. Saturday kickoff against Nevada.
“I miss (the stadium) so much,” CSU cornerback Kevin Nutt said. “Especially when we’re practicing in it, I’m like, ‘Man, it’s been so long since we’ve been here.’ It just feels good not to travel this week. Traveling takes a toll on you.”
The Rams have hit the halfway point of the season in their new facilities. Players and coaches believe it has already counted toward the program’s recent success. CSU has yet to be beaten in its new digs.
“I believe we’re getting better this year and we’re going to continue to get better because of these facilities,” CSU coach Mike Bobo said. “The training room, the weight room, the locker room, everything is together. Our practice surface is 10 times better than what we practiced on.”
Worthman rewarded.
Air Force fell 48-45 at Navy last week, but not without an impressive performance from quarterback Arion Worthman. The 5foot-11, 205-pound junior from Normal, Ill., broke the program record for total offense, a mark that stood for 47 years, with 396 yards (139 rushing and 257 passing).
The showing earned Worthman player of the week honors from the National Football Foundation’s Colorado Chapter, it was announced Tuesday. Worthman began his career 6-0 as a starter, but the Falcons now have lost four straight. A rebound appears possible Saturday when Air Force (1-4, 0-2 Mountain West) hosts UNLV (2-3, 1-1 Mountain West). The Falcons are currently 7½-point favorites.