Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Aim For 'Complete' Game Saturday Vs. UNC
September 15, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Strictly in terms of numbers, the 2-0 Colorado Buffaloes have plenty they can accomplish Saturday in their noon matchup with Northern Colorado at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Networks).
For starters, a win would give Colorado its first 3-0 start to a season since 2008 and only its second since 1999. For head coach Mike MacIntyre, in his fifth year at Colorado, it would be another signal that he has established a foundation upon which the Buffs can continue to build success.
Also on the line for the Buffs is a defensive streak that has seen CU limit its first two opponents to just one field goal in each game. It's the first time since 1958 the Buffs have held the first two opponents without a touchdown, and it puts them within range of two more milestones: not since 1954 has CU held its first three opponents to no touchdowns; and only three times since 2004 has any Division I team not allowed a touchdown in its first three games (Florida State in 2012, Iowa in 2007 and 2008).
But more important than statistics is simply how the Buffs play in their nonconference finale.
"I'd like for us to put together a full game on all phases the whole entire time," MacIntyre said earlier in the week. "You always want to see that in every game. I think every coach in America says that after every game or says that going into a game. It's cliché, but it's also true. You want to see good rhythm everywhere and everybody doing well."
Indeed, MacIntyre would like nothing better than to see his Buffs put together a complete game one week before they open conference play with a home matchup against defending Pac-12 champ Washington.
Specifically, he would like to see his offense open fast and maintain that tempo throughout the course of the game. While the Buffs offense has been effective enough to average 27 points and nearly 400 yards per game, that production has come in fits and bursts: 34 of CU's 54 points this season have been scored in what amounts to two quarters of play.
One big area of emphasis will be third-down conversions. The Buffs are just 11 for 29 on third-down tries this year, and have already experienced six three-and-out possessions.
"I think we're close, I really do," co-offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said. "We have some good players and we have to just keep working, keep focusing on the details."
The Buffs will see a 1-0 Bears team coming off an unplanned "bye" week. Originally scheduled to play at Florida last week, the game was canceled because of Hurricane Irma, leaving the Buffs with just one game's worth of film with which to scout the Bears.
UNC beat College of Idaho, 41-14, in its opener. Quarterback Jacob Knipp threw for 238 yards in the win, with receiver Alex Wesley his favorite target (7 catches for 95 yards). Running back Trae Riek ran 18 times for 71 yards and three touchdowns; and defensively, the Bears held CI to 336 yards total offense while recording three sacks and pair of interceptions.
"I've been very impressed with their quarterback, he can throw it," MacIntyre said. "They've got two receivers that are really fast and have made a lot of big plays. Defensively, they're older at their corners. Isaiah Williams is a good pass rusher off of the edge and they've got got two really good linebackers."
While the Buffs have been very good defensively, there are still areas defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot would like to shore up — in particular "explosion" plays. The Buffs have already yielded seven plays of 20 yards or longer, with two more for gains of 19. The Bears, with two fleet receivers in Alex Wesley and Hakeem Deggs, will test the Buffs in that area.
"Their offense has the ability to score and the ability to throw over the top of us," MacIntyre said. "They'll take some shots on us."
MATCHUP TO WATCH: UNC's Deggs had 10 receiving touchdowns last year, and he'll almost certainly see his share of Buffs cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who is off to an outstanding start.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Colorado's offensive line. The Buffs have had problems establishing consistency thus far in both the run game and in pass protection. This is their last chance to establish some semblance of rhythm before they open Pac-12 play — and they spent the last week working on establishing what Adams calls a "physical mentality."
THE SERIES: Colorado leads the all-time series, 9-2, but it's the first meeting between the two programs since 1934. The Bears won that game in Greeley, 13-7.
NUTS AND BOLTS:
Kickoff: Noon, Folsom Field.
Broadcast: The game will be televised nationally by the Pac-12 Network with JB Long on play-by-play, former Buffs and NFL star Chad Brown on analyst duties and Cindy Brunson on the sidelines. The radio broadcast will be carried by KOA 850 AM with Mark Johnson, Gary Barnett and Andy Lindahl.
In-game live blog, stats: A live in-game blog as well as continually updated statistics will be available on www.CUBuffs.com
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
