GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado has had success in the air this season, but the Buffs run game could receive the biggest boost against a UCLA defense yielding 174.3 yards per game. The Bruins have also allowed a Pac-12-worst 11 rushing touchdowns in three games. The Buffs still seek a full-time workhorse as five running backs have combined for 594 yards and five touchdowns on the year. Travon McMillian put some separation between himself and the pack last week with his second 100-yard performance on the year and seventh of the senior’s career. The Virginia Tech transfer’s 162 yards and pair of touchdowns now give him 290 yards and three scores to lead the team.
DRAFT SLANT
–ILB Rick Gamboa snared the second interception of his career two weeks ago against New Hampshire. It was his first pick since taking an Oregon State pass 20 yards for a touchdown during the 2016 season. The senior team captain is a stalwart in the middle of the Buffs defense with 20 tackles on the year, tying him for second most on the squad.
ROSTER REPORT:
–ILB Akil Jones will return to the field this week against UCLA, barring any setbacks from the high ankle injury that has limited the sophomore to one game and 12 snaps all year.
–WR Jaylon Jackson returned to the practice field this week. The redshirt freshman hasn’t played a game since his sophomore year in high school, after sustaining ACL and ankle injuries.
–WR Juwann Winfree and guard Brett Tonz are each listed as day-to-day while recovering from ankle injuries.
–Alex Kinney is making strides in his recovery from a broken collarbone sustained versus Nebraska. When healthy, the senior is among the top punters in the Pac-12, placing half of his four kicks this year inside the 20-yard line for a 46-yard average per punt. “I met with the doctors this morning,” MacIntyre said of Kinney. “Everything is progressing really well. He is moving his arms around. We just have to make sure he is cleared to go out. Of course, we’d love to have him back as soon as he is healthy enough to come back.”
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