CU

Tickets are plentiful

At the close of business hours Tuesday, CU had a little more than 3,600 tickets remaining for Saturday's game, while CSU had about 4,500. If the game is not sold out (76,125 capacity), it would mark the second consecutive season Invesco Field at Mile High has not been filled for the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

Last season's attendance was 65,701, the lowest in the game's seven-year history in Denver.

Injury update

Injured freshman receiver Josh Smith (bruised kidney) has a magnetic resonance imaging exam scheduled next week that could shed more light on a possible return.

Coach Dan Hawkins has said Smith might be able to play against Florida State (Sept. 15), but Smith said that is yet to be determined.

As for possibly redshirting, he said, "That's a big decision for me. . . . No one is putting any pressure on me. I just want to see how things go with my body."

Still waiting on Jackson

The eligibility status of Bernard Jackson still has not been determined. Hawkins said the senior offensive captain "still has one more class to finish." Jackson, who has not practiced in more than a week, remains "highly doubtful'' for Saturday.

Later is better

Senior linebacker Jordon Dizon and senior tailback Hugh Charles have been named to two preseason watch lists, Dizon for the Butkus Award (linebackers) and Charles for the Doak Walker Award (running backs).

Dizon, who made the same list last season, took the announcement for what it is.

"Being nominated is always an honor," he said. "But you'd rather have your name still being mentioned later."

CSU

Numbers game

3 players still are battling for the start at strong-side linebacker — sophomore Sedric Patterson, redshirt freshman Ricky Brewer, a Mullen High School graduate; and junior-college transfer Curtis Cornelson.

Horinek returns

CSU's worst fears about the status of starting middle linebacker Jeff Horinek ended when the junior returned to practice in full pads Monday and Tuesday.

Horinek, a third-year starter, tweaked a knee in practice Aug. 22 and had experienced some swelling but looks to be a full go for the CU game.

Doubtful is defensive lineman Bob Vomhof, who likely will miss the game after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Questionable is receiver/returner Damon Morton, who has a sprained shoulder.

Offensive line lineup

Among the Rams expected to make their first career starts Saturday will be offensive linemen Cole Pemberton and Shelley Smith.

Pemberton, a sophomore from Highlands Ranch, beat out promising redshirt freshman Brian Lepak at weak-side tackle. Smith, an Arizona native, will start at weak-side guard.

Tim Walter will start at center, moving last year's starting center, Nick Allotta, to strong-side guard. Adrian Martinez will open at strong-side tackle. In addition to those five starters, Lepak, Scott Benedict, Guy Miller and Dane Stratton will be in the mix for offensive line playing time.

Air Force

Falcons on watch lists

Senior linebacker Drew Fowler, left, who ranked 11th in Division I-A in total tackles last season, is one of 66 candidates for the Butkus Award (linebackers). He is also on the watch list for the Lombardi Award (top lineman).

Senior quarterback Shaun Carney is a candidate for the Davey O'Brien Award (best quarterback) for the third consecutive year and senior center Blaine Guenther for the Dave Rimington Trophy (best center).

He said it

"There are times where you have a triple option called on the script and it's third-and-8. You have to go to your best third-down call. By and large, you utilize the script when you are on schedule."

Troy Calhoun, Air Force's first-year coach, who plans to script the first 15 or so offensive plays.

Wyoming

Dobbs being watched

Ward Dobbs, a junior from Fairbanks, Alaska, is on the watch list for the Butkus Award (linebackers).

He was a preseason All-Mountain West Conference selection for the Cowboys, who open their season Saturday at home against Virginia.

Cowboys on the air

Denver radio station KEPN-AM (1600) will air Wyoming football games this season.

The New ESPN will pick up the Cowboy Sports Network under terms of an agreement announced this week.

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