Buffs' O-Line Enjoys Stellar Start, Eyes Continued Improvement

BOULDER — When the season began, the Colorado Buffaloes were cautiously optimistic about the prospects for their offensive line.

You can remove "cautiously" from the equation. The Buffs' O-line has performed well since Day One, both in the running game and in pass protection, and the good news is that line coach Klayton Adams believes there's still plenty of room for improvement.

"Since last spring, we've talked about getting better each week and I think they have gotten better," Adams said of his charges. "I know I keep saying this, but it's true: we still have a lot of things we want to improve on. We want to keep getting better every week. There's a lot we can still do."

It would be fine with Adams — and the rest of the team — if the line continues that improvement Saturday, when the No. 21 Buffs (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12) face Southern California (2-3, 1-2) at the Coliseum.

The O-line will be coming off what might have been their best performance of the season in CU's 47-6 win over Oregon State on Saturday. The big men in the trenches opened holes for the running game all day, to the tune of 247 yards on the ground, while also giving quarterback Steven Montez plenty of time to throw. Oregon State did not record a quarterback sack, the second time this season CU's linemen have blanked an opponent (Idaho State was the first).

"I had all the time in the world," Montez said. "It was amazing. The O-line is doing a phenomenal job. I'm probably going to have to take them out to eat this week because I don't think I've ever seen protection like that. Ever. I had tons of time back there."

When the season began, the Buffs knew the line had the chance to be good, simply because of the returning experience. Left tackle Jeromy Irwin, a starter two seasons ago, was back after a knee injury forced him to miss most of last season, along with center Alex Kelley, a two-year starter; guard Gerrad Kough, a starter last season; and right tackle Sam Kronshage, who also had starting experience a year ago.

But the biggest question was whether the Buffs could take all that experience and build a cohesive group. Thanks to a rash of injuries a year ago, Colorado started nine different combinations up front in 13 games, and the result was a year in which CU allowed 41 quarterback sacks.

"I think a big part with all the injuries last year was there was a perception that the group wasn't as talented as they could have been," Adams said. "But we there were so many different combinations because of the injuries that they never really had a chance to develop as a unit."

This year, they have had that chance. Along with the returning starters, the Buffs have also received solid efforts from redshirt freshman guard Tim Lynott, who has started all five games, and redshirt freshman Aaron Haigler, who has been a contributor at right tackle.

But Adams said the cohesion has run far deeper than the starters.

"What you're seeing is some leadership from the upperclassmen, and not just the guys who are starting," Adams said. "A guy like (fifth-year senior) Sully Wiefels makes us better every day, regardless of whether he's playing. A guy like (senior) Shane Callahan makes us better. Jonathan Huckins is another guy. They want the team to succeed, and they're pushing the guys ahead of them."

While not surprised by the line's play, CU head coach Mike MacIntyre is no doubt pleased with their play.

"They've played well all year," MacIntyre said. "They've played well enough in all the games for us to have a chance to win. But I do think Saturday the pocket was really clean. We made it very comfortable for the quarterback and they gashed some holes."

Saturday, the Buffs will see a talented USC defense that might be playing its best ball of the season. In last week's 41-20 win over previously unbeaten Arizona State, the Trojans recorded three quarterback sacks after being blanked the two weeks prior. USC also held the Sun Devils' high-powered offense to just 75 yards on the ground and 228 yards in the air.

In five games, the Buffs have given up just eight sacks — less than 2.0 per game, a big improvement over last year's 3.15 per game. They're also allowing just one sack for every 20 pass attempts, well ahead of last year's one for every 11.36 attempts.

"I think we're playing confidently," Adams said. "They go out there believing they are going to play well, and they're playing well together. It's a good group of guys and they like each other and play well with each other. There's some cohesion there and there's no ego in that bunch. They've been through the hard times and now they just want to win."

QUARTERBACK UPDATE: Both Sefo Liufau and Steven Montez practiced on Wednesday.

"He's getting better," offensive co-coordinator Darrin Chiaverini said. "He's getting really close. He's throwing the ball well, he's moving well. Obviously, Steven's been playing well."

Liufau has not played since early in the second half of the Sept. 17 game at Michigan, when he suffered an ankle injury, and Montez has started both games since.

MacIntyre has said selecting a starter could be a gameday decision.

CAMPUS INCIDENT: The football team was already on the practice field Wednesday morning when police shot and killed a machete-wielding intruder in the CU Champions Center. Football operations officials were aware of the incident as it unfolded and access to the field was immediately blocked.

Because law enforcement had quickly contained the area, team officials decided to allow practice to continue. The practice field is surrounded by a metal fence and only accessible from the outside via two gates, both of which were immediately locked.

"It didn't affect practice," MacIntyre said. "The kids did not know what was going on while we were practicing. We explained to them after practice."

MacIntyre praised the rapid response of the CU and Boulder police departments, noting that the athletic department's safety protocol and practices worked as planned.

The incident did change the Buffs' post-practice routine, as coaches were unable to go into their Champions Center offices. They did, however, have access to game film and other necessities in the CU locker room and weight room.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu