KEEPING TABS

Christian Fauria was not optimistic about catching many passes when he enrolled at Colorado two years ago.

In those days, the Buffaloes employed a run-oriented option offense. After using his redshirt year in 1990, when Colorado finished atop the final Associated Press poll, the former Crespi High tight end made just two receptions the following season.

But with quarterback Darian Hagan, an electrifying runner, completing his eligibility with the 1991 season, the Buffaloes have switched to a pass-oriented offense. Fauria is one of the beneficiaries of the change.

Fauria, a sophomore, exceeded his 1991 reception total Saturday with three catches for 54 yards as the No. 10 Buffaloes (4-0) defeated Iowa, 28-12. In the third quarter, Fauria caught a 10-yard scoring pass from Koy Detmer, brother of Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer.

“It’s going great,” Fauria said. “When they changed the offense, I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”

Fauria, who made 57 receptions as a Crespi senior, is Colorado’s second-leading receiver with 12 catches for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Those figures become more impressive considering how Fauria found his way to the school.

Ron Vanderlinden, a Colorado recruiter at the time, discovered Fauria in 1988 when he was among the multitudes scouting Crespi running back Russell White. Colorado wasn’t even Fauria’s first choice. He previously had committed to Northern Arizona.

“Coming to a running attack wasn’t what I wanted to do, but it was the only big-time program that recruited me and was the best offer I got,” he said. “Going here, I figured I could get the best out of all my abilities--blocking, catching and becoming a better all-around player.”

Physical maturation and weightlifting also have helped Fauria to grow--literally. He has added 30 pounds to his 6-foot-4 frame since entering Colorado at 204 pounds.

“Coming out of a high school I was a pass catcher,” he said. “I always knew I could gain weight, and with the weight the blocking would come.”

Running well: After an injury-marred sophomore season, Sean Burwell of Oregon is returning to the form he exhibited in 1990 when he ran for 1,022 yards.

The former Cleveland High standout is fifth in the Pacific 10 Conference in rushing, averaging 95.2 yards a game, and fourth in all-purpose running (rushing, receiving, kickoff and punt returns) with a 167.5 average.

Burwell, a junior, rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the Ducks’ 59-6 victory over Nevada Las Vegas, Oregon’s most one-sided victory since a 58-0 triumph over Washington in 1973 and the most points since a 97-0 victory over Willamette 76 years ago.

Record run: Colorado State’s Leonice Brown tied a school record with an 80-yard touchdown run as the 19-point underdogs defeated host LSU, 17-14, Saturday.

The former San Fernando High standout finished with 116 yards in nine carries.

Add ‘Nando: Sean Williams, another former San Fernando standout, doubled his 1991 touchdown output Saturday by catching scoring passes of 36 and 28 yards in Utah’s 42-9 victory over previously undefeated Oregon State. Williams had seven receptions for 75 yards.

Last add ‘Nando: LaKarlos Townsend, a 1992 San Fernando graduate, gained 29 yards in two carries in his collegiate debut Saturday in Ohio’s 19-3 loss to Western Michigan. Townsend had missed the first three games because of a pulled hamstring.

Townsend figures to be one of the few true freshmen used by the Bobcats. Another San Fernando alumnus, defensive back Brian Brison, is expected to redshirt.