Colorado University Athletics
Buffs OLB Gilbert Aims To Improve Sack Production
August 16, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
CU senior led CU last season with six QB takedowns
BOULDER — In a conference that featured nine of the top 50 passing offenses in the nation a year ago, including No. 1 Washington State, defenses know they have to put pressure on the quarterback.
A year ago, the Colorado Buffaloes improved their standing slightly in that regard, finishing with 27 quarterback sacks — five more than the previous season.
But that was still tied for only 10th in the Pac-12. The Buffs know that for their defense to take another big step forward this year, they'll need to increase that number again.
CU senior outside linebacker Jimmie Gilbert says he's ready to do his part.
A year ago, Gilbert led the Buffs in sacks with six. That's not an eye-popping number — until you figure that Gilbert achieved that number in just 394 snaps, meaning he averaged one quarterback sack for roughly every 66 snaps.The next-highest number for the Buffs came from Gilbert's fellow OLB Derek McCartney, who finished with five sacks in 648 snaps — roughly one sack per 130 snaps.
While Gilbert figures to play a little more this season, his total number of plays on the field still might not increase dramatically. He's not often on the field in CU's nickel package, which limits his playing time to a degree.
Still, he's of the firm belief that he needs to significantly increase his sack total this season — no matter how many plays he's on the field.
"Last year was not enough. It was nowhere near enough," Gilbert said earlier this week. "I need to get at least double digits this year just so we can get to that bowl game."
Gilbert says his total should have been better last year — and blames himself for not having more.
"There were plenty of games last year where me being me, I wasn't in it completely," Gilbert said. "I hurt myself and I hurt the team because of that. What I need to do is make sure I keep my head in the game the entire time and when I get the chance, make the most of what I get."
Buffs defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt has done his best to be creative and put pressure on the quarterback from a variety of areas. In 2015, defensive back Chidobe Awuzie was third on the team in sacks, recording four by coming off the edge on blitzes.
But Leavitt also wants to increase pressure this year by "conventional" means, with more pressure on the outside from Gilbert and McCartney.
"Jimmie's got more maturity than he had in the past," Leavitt said. "I don't holler at him as much. But he's got to take his own initiative to get as good as he can get. You only get one senior year. This is it for him."
The Buffs have also been working some younger players into the mix at OLB, including Terran Hasselbach and N.J. Falo. Leavitt said he's seen progress — but will have to see more in fall camp.
"We're getting better," Leavitt said. "Getting better but not there yet. Derek and Jimmie, we count on those two guys. Terran is a pretty good rusher. He does some good things. But we need to get a lot out of those guys whenever they're on the field if we're going to be a good defense."
The Buffs should also have increased pressure up the middle this year from a beefed-up and more experienced, deeper defensive line. Seniors Samson Kafovalo (three sacks last year in just 331 snaps) and Jordan Carrell have both had solid camps and have shown signs of improving their pass rush skills.
But the big pressure will have to come from the outside.
"There's always room for improvement," Gilbert said. "We know it's not where it needs to be yet. We put a lot of pressure on our corners and secondary when we don't get to the quarterback. It's our job to get there and take some of that pressure off and force some turnovers."
Gilbert has added some muscle to his 6-foot-5 frame, and now checks in at about 240 pounds. He also knows this is the last chance for him and his fellow seniors to play in a bowl game.
"It's the last year," he said. "I have to go big or go home."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
