HOLDEN HUFF, TIGHT END
Huff’s breakout game last week at Hawaii could be just a hint of the redshirt freshman’s future with the Broncos. “He’s going to be really good down the road,” coach Chris Petersen said. “Down the road — I don’t know if that’s next week or next year or whatever. He’s a new player in terms of really being in there and getting his feet wet. Like so many of our guys, he’s been beat up and sick and all those things. He’s really been showing good toughness hanging in there, and finally we got a few things done this (past) week.”
Huff recorded season highs of four catches and 47 yards against Hawaii. He also caught his first touchdown pass. His most impressive play was a leaping 24-yard catch down the middle of the field. He hung on to the ball despite a hit in the back.
“It’s great, especially for the tight ends,” Huff said of making a tough catch. “That means we’ll get the ball more. … Hopefully that opens it up.”
It’s been a difficult year for the tight ends group. Co-starter Gabe Linehan played through an injury for four games before getting shut down for the rest of the season, sophomore Kyle Sosnowski hasn’t played because of an injury and true freshman Hayden Plinke has missed three straight games with a suspension. That has put more strain than expected on Huff (6-foot-5, 213 pounds). “Practice is just way more intense now,” Huff said. “There’s a lot more to learn. During the week, it gets pretty hectic.”
MICHAEL AMES, OFFENSIVE GUARD
Ames has started the past two games at right guard. He started the first four games and played well before sustaining an ankle injury. Junior Spencer Gerke replaced him for four games.
“I’m feeling good and I’m feeling like I can keep rolling as long as (offensive line coach Chris Strausser) keeps me in,” Ames said.
The former walk-on from Centennial High is one of 23 seniors who will be honored at this game.
“You come in with this really large freshman class when you first come in and guys come and go,” he said. “… It feels really good to know I made it to Senior Day and I’ve given it my all the last four seasons.”
DEMARCUS LAWRENCE, SAM UKWUACHU, TYLER HORN & CO.DEFENSIVE LINE
The Broncos’ eight-man rotation of defensive linemen combined for 17 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown last week at Hawaii. Ukwuachu and Horn set career highs with two sacks each, and Lawrence scored. “It was fun to come in and watch film the next day because we all played well,” Horn said.
