Colorado University Athletics
Fast Five: Keys for Buffs vs. Northern Colorado
September 15, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
Not since 2008 have the Colorado Buffaloes opened a season 3-0.
BOULDER — Not since 2008 have the Colorado Buffaloes opened a season 3-0. They have the chance to hit that number Saturday when Northern Colorado pays a visit to Folsom Field for the first meeting between the two schools since their 1934 game in Greeley (won by the Bears, 13-7).
It's the last nonconference game on the schedule for the Buffs, who open league play a week later with a home game against Washington, a rematch of last season's Pac-12 championship game. It's also the last chance for the Buffs to fine-tune some areas of their game in which they have yet to hit on all cylinders consistently, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
What the Buffs need to do today in order to make sure they hit the conference schedule at a high efficiency:
1. Start fast offensively — and keep the momentum going. In the opening 17-3 win over Colorado State, the Buffs scored on three straight possessions early, then sputtered the rest of the night. Last week, in a 37-3 win over Texas State, they waited until the third quarter to put together a scoring streak, scoring 17 points again on three straight possessions.
This week, they need to start fast and keep that tempo going over an extended stretch. CU coaches and players have said it's simply a matter of correcting some small mistakes here and there that have prevented big plays from unfolding. Today is their last chance to address those little things before the Huskies come to town.
2. Get pressure on UNC quarterback Jacob Knipp. This is a QB who shouldn't be underestimated. The Bears junior was UNC's starter in the opener last year before suffering a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the season in Week 2. He was replaced by Kyle Sloter, who went on to have an outstanding season before spending this year's NFL training camp with the Broncos and ending up on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad.
Knipp is a big (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) pocket passer who can also run. He threw for 238 yards in the opener and also ran for a score. But he was also sacked three times in the game, meaning the Buffs should be able to get to him and force him to hurry his throws. If they do that, CU's secondary will take care of the rest.
3. Run the ball. Maybe the most surprising result from the Texas State game was CU's inability to establish a rushing attack. The Buffs finished with just 91 yards on the ground, giving head coach Mike MacIntyre his first win with less than 100 yards rushing at Colorado since his first year in Boulder.
Colorado's run game opens everything else up. When the Buffs begin gashing defenses with Phillip Lindsay, it opens up the passing lanes — and that all begins up front. Colorado's offensive line has been inconsistent; if the Buffs can gel there it will make a world of difference both on the ground and in the air.
4. Get Steven Montez in rhythm. When Montez has been hot, he's been terrific. But the Buffs have also failed to convert too many third-down tries (11 of 29 this season), which has led to far too many short possessions. When Colorado gets its tempo offense clicking and Montez spreading the ball to his receivers, it is an offense that is hard to stop. But the Buffs can't afford to endure the self-inflicted wounds that have slowed them down up to this point.
5. Continue to establish defensive continuity. A defense that many thought would take time to gel has instead been dominant thus far. The Buffs are getting solid play up front from a platoon of defensive linemen and outstanding play from their inside linebackers and secondary. The key thus far has been coordinator D.J. Eliot's ability to get his best playmakers in position to do their job. As the defense continues to feel more comfortable, it should only get better.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
It's the last nonconference game on the schedule for the Buffs, who open league play a week later with a home game against Washington, a rematch of last season's Pac-12 championship game. It's also the last chance for the Buffs to fine-tune some areas of their game in which they have yet to hit on all cylinders consistently, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
What the Buffs need to do today in order to make sure they hit the conference schedule at a high efficiency:
1. Start fast offensively — and keep the momentum going. In the opening 17-3 win over Colorado State, the Buffs scored on three straight possessions early, then sputtered the rest of the night. Last week, in a 37-3 win over Texas State, they waited until the third quarter to put together a scoring streak, scoring 17 points again on three straight possessions.
This week, they need to start fast and keep that tempo going over an extended stretch. CU coaches and players have said it's simply a matter of correcting some small mistakes here and there that have prevented big plays from unfolding. Today is their last chance to address those little things before the Huskies come to town.
2. Get pressure on UNC quarterback Jacob Knipp. This is a QB who shouldn't be underestimated. The Bears junior was UNC's starter in the opener last year before suffering a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the season in Week 2. He was replaced by Kyle Sloter, who went on to have an outstanding season before spending this year's NFL training camp with the Broncos and ending up on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad.
Knipp is a big (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) pocket passer who can also run. He threw for 238 yards in the opener and also ran for a score. But he was also sacked three times in the game, meaning the Buffs should be able to get to him and force him to hurry his throws. If they do that, CU's secondary will take care of the rest.
3. Run the ball. Maybe the most surprising result from the Texas State game was CU's inability to establish a rushing attack. The Buffs finished with just 91 yards on the ground, giving head coach Mike MacIntyre his first win with less than 100 yards rushing at Colorado since his first year in Boulder.
Colorado's run game opens everything else up. When the Buffs begin gashing defenses with Phillip Lindsay, it opens up the passing lanes — and that all begins up front. Colorado's offensive line has been inconsistent; if the Buffs can gel there it will make a world of difference both on the ground and in the air.
4. Get Steven Montez in rhythm. When Montez has been hot, he's been terrific. But the Buffs have also failed to convert too many third-down tries (11 of 29 this season), which has led to far too many short possessions. When Colorado gets its tempo offense clicking and Montez spreading the ball to his receivers, it is an offense that is hard to stop. But the Buffs can't afford to endure the self-inflicted wounds that have slowed them down up to this point.
5. Continue to establish defensive continuity. A defense that many thought would take time to gel has instead been dominant thus far. The Buffs are getting solid play up front from a platoon of defensive linemen and outstanding play from their inside linebackers and secondary. The key thus far has been coordinator D.J. Eliot's ability to get his best playmakers in position to do their job. As the defense continues to feel more comfortable, it should only get better.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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