Angela Rae Harris's Blog, page 32

Broncos’ Pat Surtain critical of showing vs. Colts, admits being ‘a little lazy’

ENGLEWOOD – The word “lazy” perhaps never has been included in a sentence about star cornerback Pat Surtain II. 

Until now. 

When assessing his performance in the Broncos’ 29-28 loss at Indianapolis last Sunday, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year used that word Wednesday. Surtain is known for his relentless work ethic while being, as he says, “a student of the game.” 

However, Surtain, a week after not allowing a catch on just one target in a 20-12 win over Tennessee in the opener, allowed seven catches on nine targets against the Colts. That’s the most receptions the fifth-year man has allowed in a game since he gave up seven against Las Vegas on Oct. 2, 2022. 

“I know the type of player I am,’’ Surtain said after a practice at Broncos Park. “There were some points where I thought my technique was a little lazy, knowing that I could have been better with my placement, my footwork, knowing what certain routes were coming, but also, they made some great throws, great catches. I feel like I was on them like white on rice. Sometimes they just make good catches, but at the end of the day, it’s a lot to learn from.” 

Surtain suffered a left ankle injury in the second quarter at Indianapolis and missed one defensive play before returning. After the game, with the Broncos having dropped to 1-1, he shrugged off the ankle being a factor in his performance. 

Surtain said Wednesday his ankle is fine entering Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) in a battle for first place in the AFC West. He was a full participant in practice and wasn’t even listed on the injury report. 

“It’s been pretty good,’’ Surtain said. “I’m up to speed. I’m up to schedule. Just busy monitoring it and making sure I’m ready to play Sunday.” 

Colts quarterback Daniel Jones completed 23 of 34 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown against Denver’s vaunted defense. Broncos coach Sean Payton said earlier this week the Colts weren’t specifically targeting Surtain, and it was a case of that’s where their offense went. But Payton said he expected Surtain will “want to clean up on a handful of those plays” with his “technique.” 

Surtain did give credit to Jones for his showing. 

“Some throws were crazy,’’ Surtain said. “Credit to Daniel Jones. He made some great throws. But it’s definitely I hold myself to a high standard. That wasn’t one of my best games. I’m going to make sure I learn from it and correct myself.” 

Surtain made the Pro Bowl in three of his first four seasons, tying his father, Pat Surtain, for the number of invitations he got as an NFL cornerback from 1998-2008. Surtain was asked if his father reaches offers advice after he has a disappointing outing. 

“When I have games like that, I think he knows it as well, too, it’s the life of a (defensive back),’’ Surtain said. “Sometimes you’re going to have some rough games, like games where you’re not on top of your game. I think he understands that, but he also knows me, I’m a student of the game. I’m always looking to get better.” 

After two games, Surtain is surprisingly ranked by Pro Football Focus as just the No. 64 cornerback in the NFL out of 89. But you better believe he is looking to turn things around against the Chargers 

“This is a big-time game against a divisional opponent,’’ Surtain said. “Win this game and we’re first in the division. … We are highly motivated.” 

CU Buffs believe playing with ‘one heartbeat’ is key to defensive improvement

BOULDER — With a quarter of the season already in the books, the Colorado defense has taken a step back.

After last year’s unit was much improved under first-year coordinator Robert Livingston, the defense now is at or near the bottom of every major defensive category among Big 12 teams.

The Buffaloes are bottom four in points per game allowed. They are last in yards allowed per game and second-to-last in both rushing and passing yards allowed. 

Colorado cornerback DJ McKinney (8) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Whether it was Georgia Tech on the ground in Week 1, Delaware through the air in Week 2 or a little bit of both last week at Houston, opposing offenses have been able to do just about whatever they want against a Buffs defense that continues to rotate heavily at all three levels and is regularly out of position to make the necessary plays.

Colorado hosts Wyoming at Folsom Field on Saturday (8:15 p.m., ESPN).

“We all just gotta play together,” junior cornerback DJ McKinney said. “We all practice flying to the ball as a unit, as a defense, as one heartbeat. We all just gotta execute each play to the best of our ability and get the man on the ground.

“We play with a whole rotation of guys in practice, also. That’s what the outside world sees. They see different guys going into the game, but it’s still the same unit of guys that have been practicing with each other since (the) spring, honestly. I don’t see it as a problem.”

What is a problem is what happened last week.

After getting three first-quarter turnovers in Week 1 and holding Delaware scoreless in the first quarter in Week 2, CU completely unraveled from the start against Houston, allowing points on the Cougars’ first three drives of the game.

“Start fast. That’s our main issue,” McKinney said. “We come alive later on in the game but we just wanna start fast because we’re the heartbeat of this team. The team goes as our defense goes.”

Colorado cornerback DJ McKinney (8) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

When the defense allows points on eight of 11 drives, that becomes even harder on a struggling offense.

“You never want to be playing behind where you’re trying to chase and have to rely on the offense to go make plays,” sophomore safety Tawfiq Byard said. “That’s been a big emphasis this week is to start fast. Today in practice, we started with a competition just to get them juices flowing and get going. You (saw) in Houston, we’re down 13-0 in the first quarter and now we’re playing catch up the whole game. You never want to live in that spot, especially on the defense.”

Maybe Livingston and the Buffs are starting to discover their playmakers defense, however.

Despite not starting a game yet, Byard leads the team with 19 tackles, 14 of which came against Houston. He also got in on a sack and had a pass breakup in coverage, flying to the ball in a way we haven’t seen from the majority of the players who have seen the field so far.

After working his way back from a preseason injury, Byard is now fully healthy and has asserted himself as one of the top defenders.

“Just the mental part. It’s hard not being out there, especially when you wanna be out there for your guys,” Byard said. “Just being mentally ready, you gotta prepare like you’re a starter, even if you’re not starting. Going through that whole process (of) taking mental reps, if you’re not with the first team, you’re not gonna get a lot of those in-practice live reps.”

The same goes for true freshman Alexander McPherson, who took advantage of a bigger role amidst a bevy of injuries on the defensive line to make an impact last week. He finished with two tackles and half a sack, looking the part as one of CU’s most physical players on the edge.

Regardless of who’s out there, the Buffs are desperate to find an identity, and quickly. Last year, it was excellent coverage downfield and pressure on the quarterback. This year, through three games, it’s still a mystery. 

“I think, for the most part, it’s just little stuff we’re messing (up) on. Missing tackles, guys not being in the right gap and stuff life that,” Byard said. “As far as identity (goes), you could say we haven’t found our identity yet, but within the team, we just gotta clean up the little stuff. It’s nothing major. It’s everything that we’re doing, self-inflicted (mistakes).”

Scenic gondola offering 14er views takes shape in Colorado

Major progress has been made on what’s been called “one of Colorado’s most major tourism developments in recent memory.”

Seth Boster of the Colorado Springs Gazette reports that the construction of the Mighty Argo Cable Car gondola in Idaho Springs is moving along, with the towers up and awaiting the addition of a cable, gondola cabins, and a bottom terminal. Once finished, the gondola will rise 1.2 miles to a terminal that’s already been constructed.

Not only will the experience deliver stunning views of four 14,000-foot peaks and the Continental Divide to riders, there’s also a plaza at the top and food and drinks will be available.

At this point, an early 2026 opening is expected – either in March or April. In total, the project is expected to cost around $71 million, but it’s sure to be a hit – another place for tourists to enjoy the beauty of Colorado while traveling along I-70.

Read a full in-depth report on the project from Seth Boster of the Colorado Springs Gazette here.

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Evergreen High School shooting victim’s family speaks for first time

Matthew Silverstone turned 18 on Sept. 9. A day later, he was critically injured in an Evergreen High School shooting that shocked the region.

Media coverage has focused on the suspect — 16-year-old Desmond Holly. So, the victim’s family decided to let the public know how kind, courageous and supportive Silverstone was.

“He’s not just the critically injured victim. There’s so much more to Matthew than that. So much life, so much love,” Kris Koehler, Silverstone’s uncle, said in an interview with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

The shooting began around 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 when Holly allegedly entered the school with a revolver and fired 20 rounds, injuring Silverstone and another unnamed student before taking his own life.

All three were taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood in critical condition.

While details surrounding the shooting are still hazy amidst investigations, Koehler and letters from students spoke of Silverstone’s courage during the incident, taking charge after lunch to make sure everyone got away from the shooting.

“I cannot thank you enough for getting them out of there. You’re truly a hero and such a kind person,” one student said in a letter to Silverstone.

Another student thanked Silverstone for his quick thinking and action during the shooting.

Koehler added that Silverstone has always been quick to be protective and courteous to others, adding that he is just a normal kid that spends all of his days with his friends and at the local skatepark.

He was adopted out of foster care by his mother, Paige, when he was 6 months old. Paige is a single mother of three, all adopted out of foster care.

“She just has so much love to share with everybody. Matthew really has absorbed that,” Koehler said.

Paige is taking it the worst, blaming herself for not being there to protect her son, he said.

But Matthew Silverstone is still fighting.

“Every day we have glimmers of hope. We take every baby step in the right directions and celebrate it,” Koehler said.

“All of us are heartbroken by what happened, but we are also deeply grateful that Matthew survived,” the family said in a public statement. “Doctors have let us know that Matthew will likely require lifelong, full-time care.”

A personal GoFundMe account started by Silverstone’s family has already raised over $135,000 in three days.

The status of the other shooting victim is still unknown.

“Matthew is not only my nephew, but he’s now my hero,” Koehler said.

‘Free day’ coming up for 13 stunning destinations found around Colorado

In case you haven’t heard, September 27 is one of two remaining ‘free days’ hosted by the National Park Service, meaning that getting into Rocky Mountain National Park, the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Mesa Verde National Park will come at no costs to guests. National monuments can be visited for free, too.

The reason for waived entrance fees on September 27 is National Public Lands Day, which occurs on the fourth Saturday of September each year. Given that it’s a Saturday, expect crowds – and you’ll still need a timed-entry reservation at Rocky Mountain National Park for much of the day.

Those looking to skip the crowds might want to head to a national monument – Colorado has nine. Browns Canyon National Monument is located near Buena Vista, Colorado National Monument is located near Grand Junction, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is located near Cortez, Chimney Rock National Monument is located near Pagosa Springs, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is located near Cripple Creek and Colorado Springs, Dinosaur National Monument is located near Dinosaur in northwest Colorado, Hovenweep National Monument is located near Cortez, Yucca House National Monument is located near Cortez and Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument is located near Leadville (Learn more about all of these national monuments here).

It’s important to remember that only the entrance fee is waived on the ‘fee free days’ hosted by the National Park Service. Fees related to camping and other services still apply.

The last of seven ‘free days’ practiced by the National Park Service will take place on November 11, so if you can’t make it to one of the 13 spots above this month, mark your calendars for then.

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Air Force hockey to be broadcast on Altitude Sports | Colorado Sunshine

Where good news shines

Altitude Sports will broadcast six Air Force hockey games during the 2025-26 season.

The broadcast schedule includes games against Denver (Oct. 10) and Colorado College (Oct. 11). The other opponents are St. Thomas (Oct. 17), Holy Cross (Nov. 14) with a pair of matchups with Robert Morris (Dec. 5-6). 

Air Force Athletics and Altitude Sports are in in the fourth year of a multi-year partnership, according to a news release.

Air Force hockey opens the season Oct. 3 at Nebraska-Omaha.

(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at paul.klee@gazette.com.)

Broncos’ Dre Greenlaw, Evan Engram don’t practice, Pat Surtain does

ENGLEWOOD – So much for Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw having been limited last Friday in practice.

Just when it looked as if Greenlaw might be on the road to recovery from a quad injury, he sat out practice Wednesday and only did work on a side field at Broncos Park. Greenlaw, injured in a July 31 practice, sat out all of the Broncos’ three preseason games and their first two regular-season games and has not had a full practice since the start of the regular season.

Payton was asked about the Broncos not putting Greenlaw on injured reserve before the start of the season, which would have resulted in him missing four games.

“We felt like he’s kind of on our schedule and look we spent time on it because it’s a little nebulous relative to the injury,” Payton said. “And that’s all I’ll say.”

Also not practicing Wednesday was tight end Evan Engram due to a back injury and linebacker Justin Strnad with a foot injury. Safety Talanoa Hufanga was limited with a chest injury. Cornerback Pat Surtain II, who suffered an ankle injury in last Sunday’s 29-28 loss at Indianapolis and missed one defensive play, was not listed on the injury report.

Engram suffered a calf injury in Denver’s Sept. 7 opener against Tennessee before returning to play against the Colts. Payton declined to comment on his injury.

Tight end Nate Adkins was a full participant in practice for the first time after undergoing ankle surgery a month ago, putting him in position to make his season debut Sunday at the Los Angeles Chargers. Adkins was a limited participant in last Friday’s workout.

Cornerback Pat Surtain II, who suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter against the Colts before missing one play and returning for the rest of the game, practiced Wednesday. Also practicing was tight end Nate Adkins, who missed the entire preseason and the first two regular-season games due to ankle surgery but was a limited participant in practice last Friday.

More With Less: Multi-Functional Furniture

Every inch counts when you have a smaller home or a room that lives a double life (dining room AND workspace? Guest room that doubles as a room for your projects). Multi-functional furniture can give you both the comfort and storage you need. Multi-functional (or multi-use) furniture minimizes clutter, is easy to maintain, is affordable, and of course—gives you more room to do what you love!

What Is Multi-Functional Furniture?

Functional furniture is designed to have practical uses and enhance the functionality of your space without disrupting your personal style. These pieces usually have space-saving characteristics, convertible designs, and more.

So, what furniture is multi-functional, stylish, and makes everything fit without overwhelming your home? With the right multi-functional furniture, one piece can do the job of two or three!

Features of Multi-Functional Furniture

Convertible Designs: Furniture that can change form, like sofas that convert into sleepers, or sectionals with modular components that can be customized for any space. These pieces are designed to make these transformations user-friendly and practical.

Storage Solutions: Furniture with built-in storage, such as ottomans and chaises with hidden compartments. This feature shines when you furnish a small space that clutters easily, giving you a discreet way to organize your belongings.

Types of Multiuse Furniture at AFW:

Sofa Beds/Sleepers

Sofa beds or sleeper sofas are comfortable seats during the day and can fold out into a bed for overnight guests. Long gone are the days of rickety sofa beds—our sleepers have evolved with advancements in mattress technology to blend seamlessly with your decor and still give you a good night’s sleep!

Daybeds

We call daybeds the ultimate multitaskers. Like sofa sleepers, they serve as seating during the day and convert into a bed. They make excellent guest room alternatives, reading nooks, an upgrade to your kids’ room, or give your porch and sunroom a resort-style aesthetic. Some daybeds even have a sliding compartment underneath, revealing a second sleep space, so you can host multiple guests without buying more beds.

Photo courtesy of American Furniture Warehouse

Storage Ottomans

Storage ottomans can do it all: serve as footrests, extra seating, and hidden storage. That’s a 3-in-1 deal! We love using storage ottomans to stash away extra throw blankets, pillows, magazines, or kids’ toys. This accent furniture also adds a decorative element to your home, because it is available in various designs, colors, and fabrics.

Photo courtesy of American Furniture Warehouse

Convertible Coffee Tables

Convertible and lift-top coffee tables combine the appearance of a coffee table with the practicality of a dining or workspace and storage space. These tables are designed with a mechanism to lift the top of the table up and forward, giving you a raised surface. This makes it easier to work on your laptop, play board games, and enjoy meals without needing a separate dining space. When you lift the top, you can usually hide extra blankets, pillows, and other cluttering items in the coffee table as well. Just set the lid back down and voila! A tidier room for you!

Photo courtesy of American Furniture WarehouseShop Multi-Functional Furniture at AFW.com!

Multi-functional furniture is on the rise, and it’s not just for studio apartments anymore. If you can multitask, then your furniture can, too! Ready to shop these best-selling looks? Shop in-store or anytime online at AFW.com.

Air Force’s Luke Freer earns national punting award | Colorado Sunshine

Air Force punter Luke Freer earned the distinction as the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week for his performance Saturday, it was announced Tuesday.

Freer launched three punts for 170 yards, a 55.0 net average, in a 48-30 loss at Utah State.

He had punts of 60 and 59 yards that were downed inside the Aggies 3-yard line.

“Luke is a high, high achiever in everything that he does,” coach Troy Calhoun said.

Freer entered Saturday needing one punt to reach 50 in his career, qualifying to be ranked among Air Force’s all-time leaders in yards per punt. With the three attempts he enters that list at the top, averaging 46.5.

Through two games Freer is averaging 53.3 yards per punt, which would lead the Mountain West by nearly 6 yards per attempt and the nation by two but he has not yet reached the minimum number of punts to qualify.

Calhoun said Freer’s growth as a punter comes from his attention to detail.

“There’s a clear difference now from where he was two years ago,” Calhoun said. “It’s been neat to see. It’s well-earned.”

Redford’s Sundance Film Festival has impact on CU Boulder

When it was announced earlier this year that the Sundance Film Festival would move to Boulder from its longtime home in Park City, Utah, film studies students at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts Department celebrated.

The Denver Gazette talked to Erin Espelie, chair of the department, after the news of 89-year-old actor/director Robert Redford’s death. As the founder of Sundance, named after his character in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Redford’s example shines for students, she said.

Erin Espelie, chair of the University of Colorado Boulder’s CINE department, teaches students in a recent film class. (Photo credit: Erin Espelie)

“I think what Redford offers us is an example of someone who didn’t stay in one place, who didn’t conform to one idea,” Espelie said. “We he came to CU, it was on a baseball scholarship. That’s a great reminder for students to say ‘You start in one place when you enter the university … but you can stay flexible and adaptable and responsive to what’s changing around you.”

Redford’s respect for the environment and climate issues resonates well with Boulder students. So, too, did his respect for independent filmmaking and shedding the often shallow underpinnings of Hollywood.

“What he wanted was not fame and celebrity,” Espelie said. “He wanted the opposite. As he watched some of the changes that were out of his control, of how Sundance was descending into something of an industry market that was moving away from his vision of an artist-led and artist-forward film festival, he was disappointed. So many others might have embraced the money and celebrity, but he felt the opposite.”

Students with the University of Colorado Boulder’s Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts Department ready for action. (Courtesy photo, Film/CU Boulder)

That, in part, fueled the festival’s move from Park City.

“He was hoping the move to Boulder would be a reset for it,” she said. “It was initially a place, a safe harbor, for independent, experimental visionary artists and not the well-trod territory of studio productions.”

The school worked hard to communicate to Sundance officials that CU would be a perfect academic institution partner for the festival. It had a festival course as part of its curriculum for years, she said, but it was mostly tied to the Telluride Film Festival and Denver Film Festival.

Just last weekend, one of the first Sundance films rolled on campus – a 35-mm print of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” as an homage to Redford, she said.

And earlier this semester, Sundance Director Eugene Hernandez spoke to an “Introduction to Cinema” class of students.

“It was amazing because he took the time to answer lots of student questions,” she said.

He imparted to students “How can I help” and “What can I do.”

“The excitement and the buzz in this room of 150 students at the start of their filmmaking career – it was just electric,” Espelie said.