Dino Sparaco
Member
Buffs Bits
The Buffs defense answered a lot of questions in last week’s win over Colorado State, holding the Rams to only three points and forcing three turnovers. In particular, the win proved to be a coming out party for freshmen on the defense.
True freshmen outside linebackers Jacob Callier and Dante Sparaco, as well as redshirt freshman Trey Udoffia made the most of their first college snaps by putting their names in the CU record books.
Callier and Sparaco were each in on their first collegiate sacks, collecting a sack and half-sack respectively. Since 1984 when detailed game-by-game information is first available, this marks only the second and third time that a true freshman linebacker recorded a sack in their first career game, joining Addison Gillam in 2013.
Callier and Sparaco are now on a list of true freshmen linebackers that include Buff legends Alfred Williams (was he a linebacker or defensive lineman?), Greg Jones, Hannibal Navies, Jashon Sykes, Sean Tufts, Jordan Dizon, and Jimmie Gilbert.
Udoffia recorded two pass breakups and an interception in his first college game. The last time a (true or redshirt) freshman defensive back recorded a pass breakup in their first college game was in 2003 with both Sammy Joseph and Dominique Brooks. Others that have done so include Donald Strickland (1999), Ben Kelly (1997), Damon Wheeler (1996) and Chris Hudson (1991).
Sammy Joseph was the only other freshman Buff to record an interception and pass breakup in his first game.
-Ryan Megay, Graduate Assistant SID
The Buffs defense answered a lot of questions in last week’s win over Colorado State, holding the Rams to only three points and forcing three turnovers. In particular, the win proved to be a coming out party for freshmen on the defense.
True freshmen outside linebackers Jacob Callier and Dante Sparaco, as well as redshirt freshman Trey Udoffia made the most of their first college snaps by putting their names in the CU record books.
Callier and Sparaco were each in on their first collegiate sacks, collecting a sack and half-sack respectively. Since 1984 when detailed game-by-game information is first available, this marks only the second and third time that a true freshman linebacker recorded a sack in their first career game, joining Addison Gillam in 2013.
Callier and Sparaco are now on a list of true freshmen linebackers that include Buff legends Alfred Williams (was he a linebacker or defensive lineman?), Greg Jones, Hannibal Navies, Jashon Sykes, Sean Tufts, Jordan Dizon, and Jimmie Gilbert.
Udoffia recorded two pass breakups and an interception in his first college game. The last time a (true or redshirt) freshman defensive back recorded a pass breakup in their first college game was in 2003 with both Sammy Joseph and Dominique Brooks. Others that have done so include Donald Strickland (1999), Ben Kelly (1997), Damon Wheeler (1996) and Chris Hudson (1991).
Sammy Joseph was the only other freshman Buff to record an interception and pass breakup in his first game.
-Ryan Megay, Graduate Assistant SID
