UPDATE: Receivers make most of opportunities in Buffs' first spring scrimmage

BOULDER — While both are capable, Patrick Devenny and Jason Espinoza didn’t enter spring football practice at the University of Colorado as established go-to performers in the passing game.

But their teammates and coaches now recognize both as opportunists who performed admirably Saturday when their chances arrived.

The receiving work of Devenny, a senior tight end who began his CU career at quarterback, and Espinoza, a walk-on sophomore sidelined twice last season by a broken collarbone, highlighted a turnover-free offensive performance by the Buffaloes in their first spring scrimmage.

Devenny set the tone with a 70-yard catch-and-run score on the scrimmage’s opening play, finishing with four catches for 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Espinoza made seven receptions for 154 yards and three touchdowns.

Their step-up efforts, said quarterback Cody Hawkins, filled a void left by the absence of receiver Scotty McKnight, who missed the scrimmage because of a triceps injury.

“With all the new stuff we’re doing . . . and with the injury to Scotty, we had a couple of guys step up and take his role, because he’s an integral part of the offense,’’ said Hawkins, who completed 18-of-27 passes for 328 yards and seven touchdowns (three sacks).

Hawkins called Devenny “a really mobile tight end,’’ who can be used as a big receiver. “He’s making a lot of plays down the field for us; he’s a really athletic guy.

“Both of those guys deserve a lot of credit, because they’ve been busting their butts all offseason. And you can see it paid off today.’’

Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich echoed that: “Our receivers did a good job battling; Espinoza has practiced well . . . and he showed up well today. And Devenny has had a good spring to this point.

“You never know how a scrimmage is going to play out, but it’s good to see guys who’ve worked hard and improved a ton kind of be rewarded.‘’

Hawkins and Tyler Hansen shared time running all three offensive units. Hansen, who opened with the No. 1 offense, completed 13-of-22 passes for 207 yards and three TDs (3 sacks).

Helfrich said both quarterbacks “did some pretty good things and some things we can correct pretty easily . . . In the course of the scrimmage we didn’t turn it over — which is huge.

“I think with some minor tweaks here or there, when we get a little healthier, I definitely think we’re going in the right direction.’’

Hawkins assessed his morning as “OK. We took care of the football, but I would have liked to have done a little better in third-down situations.’’

Hansen offered a similar critique of his performance: “We were doing some new things — some boot and play-action stuff that kept the defense off-balance, and I thought I was OK with that. But I’ve got a lot of room to improve.’’

FINDING THEIR LEGS: The Buffs have made a point of saying they would be more physical in the offensive line, which should translate into a more physical running game.

Those results were mixed Saturday, when the ground game produced 108 total yards.

But tailback Demetrius Sumler (neck strain) missed all of the work, and right guard Ryan Miller (ankle sprain) was injured early and missed the bulk of the scrimmage. The O-line also was minus Matt Bahr (shoulder).

“We’re probably not where we want to be running the football, but the good news/bad news is that in the Big 12 in the old days, you get three yards a crack you’re pretty good,’’ coach Dan Hawkins said. “Now, it’s more like you have to get 5 yards a crack to be good on offense. We’re trying to set the bar pretty high there, and I don’t necessarily know that we’ll meet that.

“So, on that hand, the defense probably got the better end of the deal (Saturday).’’

But, he added, “I sure like the mentality’’ of the offensive line and its work in the run game.

Linebacker Jeff Smart said the defense “did a pretty good job of stopping the run,’’ adding the offense “threw in some wrinkles we haven’t seen in practice, so we had to adjust to those. But overall, I think we did a good job.’’

Linebackers Marcus Burton (nine tackles, seven solo) and Michael Sipili (five tackles, two quarterback sacks, three third-down stops) were the defensive leaders.

Smart conceded one of the spring defensive goals is to “get some more speed out there; we’re always trying to utilize our skill sets as best we can.’’

Asked if he believes the defense is playing faster, Dan Hawkins said, “I think they are . . . you see a lot of subtle things — the way they communicate, get lined up, you see the linebackers moving guys around.

“There seems to be more cohesiveness of guys signaling to each other. I think they’re playing at a greater tempo that way — and part of that is their comfort and confidence with what they’re doing.’’

Still, with no forced turnovers, he added, “That’s `great-job offense, not-so-good defense.’’’

ONE FEWER QB: The Buffs went through Saturday’s scrimmage with two quarterbacks, the result of sophomore Matt Ballenger’s announcement Friday night that he would transfer.

If Ballenger’s decision shocked his teammates, it didn’t seem that way to Helfrich.

“Yes and no,’’ Helfrich answered when asked if he was shocked. “I mean, in this day and age, at the quarterback position there are only so many slots and guys wind up making decisions for various reasons. We’ll help him out, whatever he needs, and we wish him the absolute best.’’

Cody Hawkins said he was “pretty upset’’ about Ballenger’s departure. “He’s a real competitive guy. He wants to do what he has to play. I’m not sure what he’s going to do, but whatever it is, he’ll be successful . . . but it’s a bummer to see one of my good friends on the team go.

“The tough thing about football when you’re a quarterback, everybody wants to be the guy and sometimes there can be only one. So, it’s a really tough situation.’’

Hansen seemed puzzled Ballenger decided to leave in the midst of spring practice, adding that in recent quarterback meetings Ballenger “seemed real quiet.

“I can’t blame him for wanting to play, though. But when people leave, it’s hard.’’

Dan Hawkins’ former goal was to have five scholarship quarterbacks on the roster every season. Now, he’s downsized that to four.

“As teams get better and guys compete, and as guys (realize) I’m not going to play or get a sniff, they look for other places,’’ he said. “All of that is not bad.’’

GOOD FOR GOODMAN: Placekicker Aric Goodman, who endured an up-and-down debut season in 2008, has shorted his approach to the ball. Two steps instead of three seems to be working.

He connected on 6-of-9 field-goal attempts Saturday, with his longest kick just under 50 yards.

“It’s confidence and a comfort thing,’’ Goodman said of the altered approach. “Everything seems to be slowing down for me now. I’m just feeling better all the way around.’’