CSU

Cornelson is named starter

The spirited battle for Colorado State's starting strong-side linebacker spot has tilted toward junior college transfer Curtis Cornelson.

Defensive coordinator Steve Stanard said Cornelson will start against Colorado. Also in the mix for the starting assignment were sophomore Sedric Patterson and redshirt freshman Ricky Brewer, a Mullen High School graduate who was named Mountain West Conference preseason freshman of the year.

Cornelson's practice performance has risen steadily since his transfer from Bakersfield (Calif.) Community College, where he was a JUCO All-American last season. Stanard said Patterson and Brewer also should see playing time against the Buffaloes.

Injury report

Sophomore Matt Hendrick, a Niwot High School graduate listed No. 3 on CSU's depth chart at middle linebacker, will miss two to three weeks with a knee injury suffered this week during practice.

The starter at middle linebacker, Jeff Horinek, continues to progress well from a knee injury and should be ready to go Saturday.

Receiver/returner Damon Morton, who has a sprained shoulder, practiced Wednesday and also should play Saturday.

Defensive lineman Wade Landers remains questionable with a knee injury.

Ticket watch

The athletic department reported it has a "few thousand tickets" remaining for the game.

TV's local flavor

FSN Rocky Mountain's coverage of Saturday's game will include a one- hour pregame show starting at 9 a.m.

Tim Ring will be the studio host, with former quarterbacks Matt Newton (CSU) and Joel Klatt (CU) providing commentary.

Newton and Klatt are two of the most successful quarterbacks in recent history for the schools, Newton leading the Rams from 1998 to 2000 and Klatt playing for the Buffaloes from 2003 to 2005.

FSN's game crew includes Joel Meyers on play-by-play, Gary Reasons as analyst and Emily Jones on the sideline.

CU

Status quo

Coach Dan Hawkins said there has been no change in the status of senior captain Bernard Jackson or middle linebacker Michael Sipili for the game.

Because of academic issues and a possible eligibility issue, Jackson is "highly doubtful" to play; Sipili remains suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of a legal hearing.

Seeking perfection

Hawkins wants his team's Thursday practice during game week to be nearly perfect.

No game was scheduled last weekend, but Hawkins nonetheless wanted that Thursday's work to be nearly flawless.

It was far from it. But Wednesday, he said the Buffaloes took steps toward putting today's practice in the "perfect practice Thursday" range.

"I think we're getting there," he said. "We're trying to amp them up . . . and push them a little harder and harder on the perfection aspect. I think they're moving along at a pretty good clip right now."

Ticket watch

As of Wednesday afternoon, CU had about 3,200 of its 39,000 allotment remaining. CU gets 55 percent of the ticket total and game revenue.

Numbers game

104 players on CU's game-week roster, and of the 99 active players, 61 have yet to set foot on a field for a college game.

Buff Club rally

The Denver Buff Club's annual CU vs. CSU rally and luncheon is Friday at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Galleria. Doors open at 11 a.m., with free hot dogs, chips and soft drinks being served before the 11:45 a.m. rally. CU coaches, team captains and several former Buffaloes players will attend.

He said it

"I'm not stupid. I know if I was playing against a freshman quarterback, I'd bring the heat, the smoke, break his helmet and do everything I could."

Cody Hawkins, CU redshirt freshman quarterback who makes his first college start Saturday

Air Force

Busy guy

Chad Hall, the Falcons' leading rusher last season, is going to be busy this season despite playing a new position.

Besides moving to the "Z" receiver position, he will return kickoff and punts.

"The more active it is, the better he likes it," coach Troy Calhoun said. "We're going to find a way to get his hands on the football, whether it's running routes, catching balls, running balls out of the backfield on misdirection plays or returning kicks."

Numbers game

11 freshmen on Air Force's opening-week roster and five on the two-deep depth chart.

He said it

"I think any time you play — except maybe when I play against Tyler, my 5-year-old — there are going to be a few butterflies."

Troy Calhoun, Air Force coach, on whether he will be nervous when he walks into Falcon Stadium for his first game as coach.

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