Spruce, Lindsay Lead Colorado Past Nicholls State 48-0
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Contented coach, proud papa.
Mike MacIntyre's son, Jay, turned his first collegiate catch into a 38-yard touchdown in Colorado's 48-0 rout of Nicholls State on Saturday. The sophomore wide receiver hauled in Sefo Liufau's pass along the Buffs sideline, dodged two defenders at the 10 and darted into the end zone.
He called it "one of the greatest feelings I've ever had because I've always looked up to players my dad coached. To be one now, I just wanted that first reception and then when I scored it was just an exhilarating feeling for me. I feel like my whole family is going to be pretty pumped."
It must be in the bloodlines, Mike MacIntyre said.
"Honestly, he got it from my dad. My dad played at the University of Miami and my dad was extremely quick and fast. I mean, really quick and fast," said Colorado's third-year coach. "So, he got that from there. And he got all his looks and all his intelligence from his mom."
His son finished with three catches for 53 yards and added a 31-yard punt return that set up a field goal.
"The win for me was the biggest thing," the younger MacIntyre said. "I mean, I just want to win games. And that's why I'm here, to help my dad win games."
RELATED: More Game Recap From CUBuffs.com
The Buffaloes (3-1) head into Pac-12 play riding their first three-game winning streak in seven seasons following their first shutout since a 24-0 whitewash of Wyoming on Sept. 19, 2009.
Even three trips inside the Colonels' 10-yard line that came up empty couldn't keep the Buffs from romping to their biggest win in six tries over an FCS-level opponent. But it did inspire them to keep the pressure up even when the starters began coming out in the third quarter, their thoughts turning to a visit by the speedy Oregon Ducks next weekend.
Jared Bell picked off two passes for Colorado and Nelson Spruce set another school receiving record.
With 80 yards on five catches, Spruce eclipsed Michael Westbrook's mark for most receiving yards in school history. Spruce now has 2,570 yards, 22 more than Westbrook collected from 1991-94.
"It's cool to see all that hard work pay off," Spruce said.
Even with starting running back Michael Adkins II (left leg) out, the Buffs ran for 358 yards and five TDs and outgained Nicholls State 636 yards to 166.
Colorado took 71 of its 93 snaps in Nicholls' territory and the Colonels took just three of their 56 snaps in Buffaloes' territory.
"We'd get it to the 30 or 40 but we couldn't get it across the 50," Nicholls State QB Tuskani Figaro said.
The Buffs led 24-0 at halftime but they also stalled twice just shy of the goal line. Christian Powell fumbled at the 2 following a 12-yard run and linebacker Hezekiah White recovered. And Liufau was stuffed on a fourth-and-inches sneak from the 6.
Those were the only highlights for the Colonels (0-3), who lost for the 21st straight time.
"When we went in at halftime they were upset," Mike MacIntyre said. "Which I thought was a great thing. They wanted to get back out there and finish the game."
- By Arnie Stapleton, AP Sports Writer
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