Buffs Take Aim At Ducks In Pac-12 Opener

EUGENE, Ore. — Will he or won't he?

"He," of course, is Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau, and the question is whether he'll be available for the 2-1 Buffaloes' Pac-12 opener Saturday at 2-1 Oregon (3:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks). Liufau is nursing an injured ankle suffered last week in CU's loss at Michigan, and his availability for Saturday's game has been termed a "game-day" decision all week.

But while Liufau's status might not be known until Saturday, Colorado fans already know this much: no matter who lines up behind center for the Buffs, they face a tall order at Autzen Stadium.

Buffs optimists will note that this isn't as powerful of a Ducks team as we've seen in recent years — at least not along the lines of the top-10 squads from a couple of years ago.

Pessimists, however, will rightfully note that they are still a dangerous, talented bunch. They still possess a potent running game, a dual-threat quarterback, a host of talented wide receivers and a defense capable of making big plays.

They are also still smarting from a 35-32 loss last week at Nebraska, a defeat that knocked them out of the nation's top 25 and no doubt left them anxious to get their conference season off on the right webbed foot.

History is not on the Buffs' side. Oregon leads the all-time series 12-8 (4-1 in Eugene), including wins in their last six meetings, a stretch that covers all five games since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011. Neither have those Pac-12 games been close — Oregon has won those five by an average score of 51.4-13.2.

But this is a different Buffs team and a different Ducks squad. The Buffs got Oregon's attention a year ago when the Ducks had to rally for a 41-24 win in Boulder, and Colorado again turned heads last week by jumping out to a big lead at No. 4 Michigan before finally succumbing, 45-28.

"They're really good defensively and have been for the last several years," Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said earlier this week. "This year, I think they're significantly different and better both offensively and in special teams. Special teams bit them a little bit last week … but they're playing with a bunch of confidence."

The Buffs are indeed playing with confidence, but they would also like to be playing with their starting quarterback when they walk into Autzen Stadium. They already know they won't have outside linebacker Derek McCartney and kicker Diego Gonzalez, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries last week.

Liufau, now in his fourth year as a starter for the Buffs, would give Colorado an experienced hand in what will no doubt be a pressure-cooker of a situation. The owner of 32 career starts and nearly 80 CU records, his presence would clearly be a boost.

But if it is Montez, there are plenty of CU folks anxious to see what the big (6-foot-5, 225 pounds), strong-armed Texan can do in his first start. Buffs coaches made sure Montez got a share of repetitions this week with the No. 1 offense and he no doubt grew more comfortable as the week progressed.

"He's played in all three games; his feet are wet," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "It's not like he's going to be jumping out there for the very first time. I definitely think Steven is capable of making plays and moving our offense; he has a good arm and can run. He can do well when he gets a chance to get in there."

In his first significant playing time, Montez performed well. His first pass as a collegian went 69 yards to Kabion Ento for a touchdown in CU's 56-7 win over Idaho State, and he finished the game 6-for-10 for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

But one week later, he struggled after being thrust into the fire following Liufau's exit. Montez threw seven passes without a completion against the Wolverines and was sacked twice.

Colorado's quarterback situation, though, is just part of the storyline. Defensively, the Buffs will be focusing on a powerful Oregon running game, one that last year hit the Buffs for 361 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and is averaging nearly 300 yards per game this year.

The Ducks' big back — literally and figuratively — is 6-foot, 220-pound Royce Freeman, who last year ran for 163 yards against Colorado and this year has already rushed for 325 yards and four TDs. Freeman's status, though, is up in the air after suffering an injury early in last week's loss at Nebraska.

That is little consolation to the Buffs. Right behind Freeman are Kani Benoit (162 yards, 9.5 average per carry) and Tony Brooks-James (110 yards, five touchdowns). Also back for Oregon is Taj Griffin, who hit Colorado for 109 yards on just 10 carries last year.

Defensively, the Buffs' aim will likely be similar to their goal at Michigan — stop the running game and make the quarterback make plays. This week, it's transfer Dakota Prukop, a true dual threat (748 yards passing, 152 yards rushing) who they'll be chasing. The Buffs will try to keep the Ducks from getting to the outside, a task that became more complicated with a season-ending injury to outside linebacker Derek McCartney. One wild card for the Buffs today in that area could be the play of sophomore N.J. Falo, who will be making his first appearance of the season.

Both teams utilize an up-tempo offense, which means neither defense should be affected by the pace.

"They're able to play at a fast pace, get the ball snapped and get lined up quick," MacIntyre said. "I think both of our teams defensively won't really have a problem with the speed of the game. It's going to be who executes the best."

That also includes special teams, where the Buffs struggled a week ago. Colorado spent the week shoring up its problems in that area and MacIntyre expressed confidence throughout the week that it won't be an issue in Autzen.

Add it all up and Colorado's goal is still a simple one: start conference play off with a win.

"Our goal is still to win the Pac-12 championship," MacIntyre said after the loss at Michigan. "Win the South and get into the Pac-12 Championship game. That's something we still have the opportunity to do."

If they have to start that pursuit today without their veteran starting quarterback, it's a goal that becomes a little more difficult.

But for a program for which nothing has come easily in recent years, it's nothing they don't think they can overcome.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu