Offensive lineman Mike Iltis will be starting for the Buffaloes today at center, replacing junior Ethan Adkins. Iltis played a large number of snaps in the opening week win over Colorado State and offensive line coach Denver Johnson feels that he earned the start today against Cal. Iltis last started in November of 2009 against the Nebraksa Cornhuskers.
"It's not that we've discounted Ethan in any way, shape or form," Johnson said. "We want to be fair and reward performance and we felt like Mike maybe performed a little better in the Colorado State game."
Iltis, a 6-foot-3, 290-pounder, played 35 snaps to Adkins' 25 and earned a 91 percent grad to Adkins' 80. Johnson's grading system is based on number of finishes/knockdown blocks, touchdown blocks, quarterback sacks/pressures allowed and penalties drawn.