Colorado’s Shenault says he’ll play vs. Washington St.
Star sophomore Laviska Shenault Jr. indicated on Instagram that he’d be back on the field today when slumping Colorado hosts No. 10 Washington State.
His return would provide a big boost for the banged-up Buffaloes (54, 2-4), who were once the last remaining unbeaten team in the Pac-12 but now face the possibility of missing out on a bowl berth that was in their grasp two weeks ago before they blew a 28-point second-half lead to lowly Oregon State.
“The return of 2Live ..” Shenault posted Sunday night.
Buffaloes coach Mike MacIntyre was more cautious, saying Shenault “did a little bit” in his return to practice Monday but labeling him “still day to day.”
“Hopefully we’ll get him back sometime before the year is over,” MacIntyre said.
The Buffs were 5-0 when Shenault got hurt at USC, and Colorado lost that game and the next three without the superstar receiver who had six TD receptions and five TD runs before getting injured.
Shenault was a Heisman hopeful as he piled up 780 yards on 60 receptions and 87 yards on 15 rushes, and his return took on more urgency when Buffaloes receivers Jay MacIntyre (concussion) and K.D. Nixon (hip) got hurt last week at Arizona.
So, Shenault’s social media post was an encouraging sign as the Buffs prepared for the Cougars (8-1, 5-1, No. 8 CFP) who are the Pac-12’s last remaining hope for a
College Football Playoff berth.
BOISE STATE 24, NO. 16 FRESNO STATE 17 >> Brett Rypien threw for 269 yards, and Alexander Mattison rushed for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Broncos to the upset. Boise State (8-2, 5-1 Mountain West) kept its conference title aspirations alive. Fresno State (8-2, 5-1) still has a chance to win the West division. The Bulldogs face San Diego State on Saturday with a berth in the conference title game on the line.
UTAH’S SHELLEY TO START VS. OREGON >> The big question facing Utah when it hosts Oregon is whether Jason Shelley can pick up where Tyler Huntley left off.
Shelley, a redshirt freshman, will make his first career start today against the Ducks in place of Huntley, who broke his collarbone in the third quarter of Utah’s 38-20 loss last week to Arizona State. Shelley threw for 59 yards and an interception. With a full week of taking reps as a starter in practice, Utah’s coaches are confident Shelley can produce better results.
SYRACUSE 54, LOUISVILLE 23 >> Moe Neal rushed for a career-best 159 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Eric Dungey ran for two more scores and passed for another, and No. 13 Syracuse took advantage of five Louisville miscues to rout the Cardinals.
The Orange (8-2, 5-2 ACC, No. 13 CFP) scored 27 points off five Louisville (28, 0-7 ACC) errors, rushed for 292 yards and accumulated 518 yards of offense. Syracuse finished the season unbeaten in six games in the Carrier Dome.