This could interest ya, I heard some players might get suspended...but this fella wont be
Suspension may await CU's Tufts
Linebacker will play vs. CSU, but Surrell will be disciplined
By Chris Dempsey, Camera Sports Writer
August 27, 2002
When Colorado takes the field against Colorado State on Saturday, starting linebacker Sean Tufts will be there. But soon thereafter, he may find himself watching a game rather than participating.
Tufts is one of a few Buffs that could be suspended for one game this season. The junior linebacker acknowledged that on Monday, but said he's still waiting for the final word from coach Gary Barnett.
"It's still up in the air," Tufts said. "We're not sure what's going to happen. I broke some team rules and I have to do something for it. So we'll see what happens."
No punishment has been, or will be, dealt to Tufts for the Colorado State game. He will be in uniform to anchor one of the nation's top linebacking corps against the Rams at Invesco Field at Mile High. But the same cannot be said for reserve cornerback Clyde Surrell.
Barnett announced on Monday that Surrell will miss the CSU game to serve a one-game suspension for breaking unspecified team rules. Senior safety Roderick Sneed has already said he will likely be suspended for CU's home opener against San Diego State on Sept. 7.
It's been a tough year for Surrell. The junior was suspended for the spring semester for breaking dormitory alcohol rules, and attended Aurora Community College. Police recently cited Surrell with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, a petty offense. He is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 29.
Last season, Surrell saw action in all 13 games, including the Fiesta Bowl, on special teams and in the secondary. He made 11 special teams tackles.
He played 51 snaps at cornerback and recorded six tackles (five solo), with two pass deflections. Surrell averaged 16.0 yards on three kickoff returns.
Meanwhile, Tufts is arguably the best player on the Buffs' defense. Tufts earned honorable mention all-Big 12 honors last season, when he finished with 57 tackles, with 11 starts in 12 regular season games. Drew Wahlroos, who played on the outside last season, had 72 tackles and one sack. Barnett has repeatedly praised the work from the majority of CU's line-
backers.
"Our linebacking corps is really good," Barnett said. "Especially our first four guys. Drew Wahlroos and Tufts, Kory Mossoni and Joey Johnson, those guys are really good. And they're all older guys. Three of the four are fourth- and fifth-year seniors, so we've got good experience."
Wahlroos is one of 67 preseason candidates for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top linebacker. Tufts is not far off the mark, if at all.
"I'm reading stuff a lot better, a lot faster. I'm playing more physical," Tufts said during spring drills. "I've made a lot of steps just from where I was last season. It's going a lot better."
And last season wasn't half-bad.
"That's as good of a pair of linebackers that I think I've had," CU linebackers coach Brian Cabral said of Tufts and Wahlroos. "I really like what they're doing. They're both very physical, they both have a lot of experience and they are both true inside linebackers. They're just physical hard-playing guys."
Suspension may await CU's Tufts
Linebacker will play vs. CSU, but Surrell will be disciplined
By Chris Dempsey, Camera Sports Writer
August 27, 2002
When Colorado takes the field against Colorado State on Saturday, starting linebacker Sean Tufts will be there. But soon thereafter, he may find himself watching a game rather than participating.
Tufts is one of a few Buffs that could be suspended for one game this season. The junior linebacker acknowledged that on Monday, but said he's still waiting for the final word from coach Gary Barnett.
"It's still up in the air," Tufts said. "We're not sure what's going to happen. I broke some team rules and I have to do something for it. So we'll see what happens."
No punishment has been, or will be, dealt to Tufts for the Colorado State game. He will be in uniform to anchor one of the nation's top linebacking corps against the Rams at Invesco Field at Mile High. But the same cannot be said for reserve cornerback Clyde Surrell.
Barnett announced on Monday that Surrell will miss the CSU game to serve a one-game suspension for breaking unspecified team rules. Senior safety Roderick Sneed has already said he will likely be suspended for CU's home opener against San Diego State on Sept. 7.
It's been a tough year for Surrell. The junior was suspended for the spring semester for breaking dormitory alcohol rules, and attended Aurora Community College. Police recently cited Surrell with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, a petty offense. He is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 29.
Last season, Surrell saw action in all 13 games, including the Fiesta Bowl, on special teams and in the secondary. He made 11 special teams tackles.
He played 51 snaps at cornerback and recorded six tackles (five solo), with two pass deflections. Surrell averaged 16.0 yards on three kickoff returns.
Meanwhile, Tufts is arguably the best player on the Buffs' defense. Tufts earned honorable mention all-Big 12 honors last season, when he finished with 57 tackles, with 11 starts in 12 regular season games. Drew Wahlroos, who played on the outside last season, had 72 tackles and one sack. Barnett has repeatedly praised the work from the majority of CU's line-
backers.
"Our linebacking corps is really good," Barnett said. "Especially our first four guys. Drew Wahlroos and Tufts, Kory Mossoni and Joey Johnson, those guys are really good. And they're all older guys. Three of the four are fourth- and fifth-year seniors, so we've got good experience."
Wahlroos is one of 67 preseason candidates for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top linebacker. Tufts is not far off the mark, if at all.
"I'm reading stuff a lot better, a lot faster. I'm playing more physical," Tufts said during spring drills. "I've made a lot of steps just from where I was last season. It's going a lot better."
And last season wasn't half-bad.
"That's as good of a pair of linebackers that I think I've had," CU linebackers coach Brian Cabral said of Tufts and Wahlroos. "I really like what they're doing. They're both very physical, they both have a lot of experience and they are both true inside linebackers. They're just physical hard-playing guys."
