Buffaloes’ coaches, players still want bowl
B OU L DER» Throughout the fivegame losing streak that has turned a 5-0 start into a season probably best to be forgotten by Colorado football fans, coach Mike MacIntyre has implored his club to block the outside distractions while attempting to focus on getting the season turned around.
That outside noise, however, just got a heck of a lot louder.
On Tuesday, most of the Buffaloes woke up to the news reported by Channel 7 late Monday night that MacIntyre would be relieved of his duties following the regular season finale at Cal on Nov. 24. Athletic director Rick George released a statement refuting the report late Tuesday morning, and MacIntyre’s players and staff reiterated the season-long plan of taking each week one game at a time.
“We’re getting ready to play a football game, get our guys together and get them playing better and go out and win a game at Folsom,” co-offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini said. “You can’t control that. I’m a big believer in you control what you can control. Right now, what we can control is preparing for Utah. They have a good football team. We have a good football team. I know we haven’t played our best at times this year, but I know the guys we have in that locker room, I know the guys we have on offense, and I believe in our coaches.
“We believe in coach MacIntyre and it’s about going out and winning a football game.”
In a season that has spiraled out of hand with alarming speed after the Buffs started 5-0 while climbing to No. 19 in the nation, the Buffs entered their preparations for Senior Day against Utah (11:30 a.m., Pac-12 Network) answering questions about their five-game losing streak and the uncertain status of their coach. MacIntyre addressed the club Tuesday morning before practice, reiterating the need, however difficult it has become, to focus on the task at hand.
“I’m going to keep what we said as a team private. As for the rumors, that’s what I’ve heard they are — just rumors,” Montez said. “At the end of the day it doesn’t really change how we feel as players and how we feel about the season, and that’s to win these last two games and get to a bowl game. That’s our goal right now at this point. We’re just going to go out there on Saturday and try to play our best football regardless of the situation.
“A lot of the guys heard about it (Tuesday) and I think today’s practice, the energy, I think it’s the best energy we’ve had all season. The guys went out there, they had a chip on their shoulder, they were hungry and we practiced really hard and really well.”