By Adam Thompson
Denver Post Sports Writer

BOULDER - On a day when they were coping with their loss to Nebraska and their final home game, Colorado players reacted to shocking news about a former teammate in serious trouble.

Former Buffaloes wide receiver Rae Carruth, 25, and two other men were arraigned Friday on charges they planned and carried out the drive-by shooting of the player's pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams.

Mecklenburg County District Judge C. Jerome Leonard set bond at $1.5 million for each of the three defendants. William Watkins, 44, of Charlotte, and Michael Kennedy, 24, of Charlotte, were arrested Friday morning on the same charges.

Nine days earlier, Adams was hit by four bullets in a drive-by shooting.

Both Adams and her newborn infant, who was born prematurely after the shooting, are in critical condition.

Before he became the Panthers' first-round draft pick in 1997, Carruth was a star in Boulder for the Buffaloes from '92-96.

Senior defensive tackle Jesse Warren said he never pictured Carruth as a violent person, but rather a "jokester" who kept the team loose. He recalled that before one game against Kansas, Carruth gathered the team around early on the morning of the game.

The receiver, who constantly took jokes about his love of his hair, pulled off a hat to reveal a bald head, to prove how badly he wanted to win the game.

"I don't think I ever saw that guy frown," Warren said.

Playing on an offense with fellow future pros Kordell Stewart, Michael Westbrook and Chris Naeole, Carruth is second all-time to Westbrook on CU's career receiving yards list (2,540) and third in receptions (135).

He also holds the Buffs' record for most consecutive games with a touchdown catch (five) and most consecutive games with at least three receptions (21).

Carruth's career may be over, and he could face jail time. Still, tight end Dan Graham said that his problems did not distract current CU players from their crucial game Friday.

"Everybody knows what happened to him, but that wasn't on our minds," he said. "We focused on Nebraska."

Senior guard Brad Bedell did not play with Carruth but met him on his return trips to Boulder.

"There wasn't a negative thing about him," Bedell said.

Bedell's sentiments mirrored the statements of all Colorado players who discussed their former teammate.

"I know Rae's a good guy," said senior safety Rashidi Barnes. "I played with him. I love him, because he's a Buffalo. Whatever happens, happens. Buffaloes love Buffaloes."