back nine, but wasnt great with the putter for the first few holes

BOULDER, Colo. -- His nickname: Tasmanian Devil. His hair: Untamed. His running style: A combination of the two.The Colorado Buffaloes are pretty much molded in the image of junior tailback Phillip Lindsay -- a gritty, no-nonsense player with a cool nickname (given to him by head coach Mike MacIntyre) and springy hair to symbolize his wild side.Lindsays never-shy-away-from-contact running approach and passionate leadership has the Buffaloes (4-2, 2-1 Pac-12) in contention for a Pac-12 South title as they host Arizona State (5-1, 2-1) on Saturday night.Hes just a hard-nosed kid who earns everything. A local kid making good, running backs coach Darian Hagan said of Lindsay, whos from Denver. You think about all recruits all over the country, and youre trying to find players who can do special things -- and you have one right down the street.Colorado is finding more and more creative ways to get the ball in Lindsays hands. In a loss at Southern California last weekend, Lindsay had six catches for 105 yards -- the most yards receiving for a Colorado tailback in nearly 15 years. Lindsays not always flashy out of the backfield -- his longest career run is 37 yards -- but always tough to bring down. Hes averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season and has scored six times.One of his most memorable moments so far this season wasnt so much on the field, but on the bench at Michigan . When Wolverines returner Jabrill Peppers crashed into the area where injured quarterback Sefo Liufau was being examined, Lindsay quickly jumped up and screamed at the Heisman Trophy candidate.Thats him. Hes protective of everything, said Hagan, who helped the Buffaloes capture a national title in 1990. Hes the middle brother but acts like the big brother and the father.Lindsay certainly has an athletic family. His father was a fullback at Colorado State. His younger brother plays at Northern Colorado and his little brother at Denver South High, where Phillip Lindsay rose to prominence and was a hot recruit even after tearing his ACL during his senior year. In addition, he had a sister play volleyball at Prairie View A&M and another basketball at Mesa State in Colorado.His biggest supporter remains his mom. He said shes suffering from a muscle disease and cant always make it to games. Still, he calls her before every contest.Shes the rock in our family and theres nothing that she hasnt done for her kids, Lindsay said. So every time I score a touchdown, its for her.Lindsay was convinced early on that Colorado was the right fit for him. He committed on March 22, 2012 -- a date he will never forget, because his familys house was robbed later that night. The thieves took his moms jewelry and hurt his dog, Rambo, whos made a complete recovery.For the next several months, Lindsay scoured thrift stores and pawn shops looking for his moms rings, but to no avail.Hes just that devoted -- to his family and his teammates.When he arrived at Colorado, MacIntyre dubbed him the Tasmanian Devil -- an ode to the whirling Looney Tunes character whos always going 1,000 mph. He likes the nickname.It defines me. Im fiery. I have a motor on me. Im nonstop. Thats who I am, said Lindsay, whos trying to help the Buffaloes earn their first bowl appearance since 2007. Im going to go at you 24/7, until the games done. I want to protect my brothers, protect my family.His work ethic sets the tone.Hagan showed up at the office recently at what he thought was the early hour of 6 a.m. But there was Lindsay, starting his workout before a team meeting still hours away. Thats nothing new, either.His teammates see how he works and prepares and they want to do the same thing, Hagan said. Hes just one of those guys -- the type of guy you want on your team.---Online: The APs college football page: http://collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Pat Graham on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pgraham34 Wholesale Marlins Jerseys . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. http://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.com/ . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Cheap Andre Dawson Jersey . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Cheap Marlins Jerseys China . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St.Tournament host Rory McIlroy is relishing the prospect of a weekend battle with Danny Willett after moving into contention at the Irish Open. McIlroy sits one stroke off the pace after mixing five birdies with three bogeys on his way to a second-round 70, ending a run of three consecutive missed cuts in the event.The world No 3 picked up a shot from close range at the 13th and bounced back from a duffed chip at the 17th to card back-to-back gains around the turn, although slipped back by posting bogeys either side of a birdie at the fourth. A 20-foot putt at the ninth lifted the Northern Irishman to seven under for the week and keeps him well-placed to challenge for a first win of 2016, although McIlroy admits he had chances to post a lower round. Rory McIlroy has never finished higher than seventh at the Irish Open I just made a few too many mistakes, McIlroy told Sky Sports. I missed a few more greens today, which was because I missed a few more fairways, so I need to tidy that up.I hit a few more positive putts on the front nine, our back nine, but wasnt great with the putter for the first few holes.It was a little bit erratic in places, but by making six birdies I feel like I gave myself plenty of chances out there and took care of most of the par-5s.I knew I was coming in playing pretty well so I never thought the cut was going to be an issue. Im excited to be in there for the weekend with a chance to win. Willett holds a share of the clubhouse lead with Marc Warren Masters champion Danny Willett followed an opening-round 65 with a one-under 71 to stay top of the leaderboard, although saw Marc Warren move alongside him with a round-of-the-day 66.ddddddddddddIt wasnt bad, a little bit scrappy, Willett said. It was windy at times and there were a couple of sneakier flags out there as well so you cant come off being joint leader and be too unhappy. Masters champion Willett is in a share of the lead after the opening two rounds Watch the Irish Open throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf Also See: McIlroy in the mix at K Club Irish Open leaderboard First round highlights Golf live on Sky Sports ' ' '