Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Cornerbacks Take Aim At Interceptions
August 12, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
(Third in a series of position-by-position previews of the 2015 Buffs to be posted on CUBuffs.com during the preseason. Today: Cornerbacks)
BOULDER — It might be one of the most inexplicable statistics of any from the 2014 Colorado Buffaloes' football seasons.
In the pass-happy Pac-12, a conference that boasted three of the top-10 throwing teams in America, the Buffs finished the season with just three interceptions, the second-lowest total of any FBS school in the nation. That's three interceptions out of 408 passes thrown by opponents; three interceptions in a season in which the Buffs faced five of the nation's most prolific passing offenses.
Equally inexplicable is this: all three of the Buffs' interceptions were by the same player, safety Tedric Thompson. That means Colorado's cornerbacks, the position usually associated with picking off an opponent's passes, came up empty for an entire season.
It's a statistic Colorado's corners have vowed to change this year.
“We were in position a lot of times last year to get some turnovers, especially interceptions,” said Buffs cornerbacks coach Charles Clark. “We've just got to catch the ball. We had too many PBUs (passes broken up) and not enough interceptions.”
Indeed, the Buffs did put themselves in position to pick off more than three passes. They recorded 60 PBUs last year, an indication that they were in the right place at the right time on a regular basis.
They just didn't seal the deal.
“We were there, we just didn't get the ball,” said senior cornerback Ken Crawley. “This year, we've got to come up with it. We've got to finish, make the play and give our offense a break.”
Crawley knows what it's like to pick off a pass, as he had a pair of interceptions in 2013. Last year, he broke up 13 passes — second best on the team — but couldn't pull any of them home for an interception.
“You've got to finish the play,” Crawley said. “Concentrate, react and finish the play. We had a lot of times last year when we didn't finish. We have to do that this year.”
The act of “finishing” doesn't apply just to interceptions. The Buffs had a halftime lead in six games last year and won just one of them. In at least four games, one more positive play — one more turnover — would have turned defeat into victory.
“We have to help the offense,” junior cornerback Chidobe Awuzie said. “We have to get them the ball back and not get in a hole. We have to finish that fourth quarter.”
Crawley and Awuzie are listed as starters on the Buffs' depth chart, but the reality is that Awuzie will likely spend plenty of time in the nickel position. Colorado opened 10 games last year in its nickel defense, adding an extra defensive back and starting just two linebackers.
When Awuzie does move over to the nickel spot, either junior John Walker or Ahkello Witherspoon will jump in at the other corner.
And, no matter who starts, it's likely all will see plenty of playing time, as defenses are forced to keep up with offenses that rotate receivers in and out on a regular basis.
“The tempo is tough,” Awuzie said. “You'll have a receiver run a deep route on you and then they bring someone else in. He's fresh and you have to keep up with him.”
It's why depth is particularly important in the secondary.
“You've got have plenty of guys who can play,” Clark said. “Depth is something you always are continuing to build. Bring guys in, rotate guys in — the more guys we get in and get comfortable with playing, the better we are.”
DEPTH CHART JUGGLING: Along with the conventional two-cornerback, two-safety defensive lineup, the Buffs also list a nickel depth chart. Tops on that list is Awuzie (also a starting corner), followed by Walker (currently listed No. 2 behind Crawley) and safety Ryan Moeller (also currently listed at No. 2 at strong safety).
TACKLE MACHINE: Even though he played just nine games last year (he missed the final three games because of a lacerated kidney), Awuzie finished third on the team in total tackles for the season with 64. The only players ahead of him were linebackers Kenneth Olugbode (83) and Addison Gillam (79). Awuzie also had a team-leading 10 touchdown saves, and while he didn't record an interception, he was credited with causing one when he tipped a ball to teammate Tedric Thompson.
PRESEASON HONORS: Along with being named to Phil Steele's preseason second team all-Pac 12, Crawley was also a third-team all-conference pick by Athlon's. Awuzie was also a third-team Athlon's pick.
THE INSIDE LOOK AT . . .
Cornerbacks
Coach: Charles Clark, third season on CU staff.
Returning starters: Ken Crawley, Sr.; Chidobe Awuzie, Jr.; John Walker (started 7 games last year at nickel), Jr.
Returnees: Ahkello Witherspoon, Jr.; Yuri Wright, Jr.; Andrew Bergner, Soph.
Newcomers: Afolabi Laguda, Soph. (JC transfer); Nick Fisher, Fr.; Isaiah Oliver Fr.
Key losses: Greg Henderson.
Stat line: Buff corners made plenty of tackles last year, but did not record a single interception. The Buffs were also near the bottom of the FBS statistical list in passing yards allowed and passing efficiency defense. While not all of this can be stacked on the shoulders of the cornerbacks, they'll still need to improve their play significantly if the Buffs are going to make strides on the scoreboard.
Bottom line: Overall, the secondary might be the Buffs strongest position in terms of depth and experience. They'll have to convert that experience into production this year by forcing a few more turnovers — interceptions in particular, especially by the cornerbacks — in order to give the offense some occasional breathing room. If the secondary improves its numbers, the outlook will be bright for the Buff defense.
Next: Running backs
