Colorado University Athletics
Buff Defense Has Solid Scrimmage
August 15, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt dished up plenty of vanilla on Saturday in the Buffs' second scrimmage of fall camp.
Not that anyone should be surprised. With the scrimmage open to the public, Leavitt had no urge to show any wrinkles that might give a future opponent an inside look at the new defense Leavitt is installing this year.
Still, the scrimmage gave Buff fans a good glimpse of some players who will be called upon to help the defense take a big step forward this year. The Buffs notched few sacks, contained the running game for the most part and had an interception return for a touchdown.
“We stayed real base; we really didn't do anything different,” Leavitt said. “More than anything, we wanted to see where we could find some depth. We just wanted to see guys play and see who could make some plays.”
Some of the Buffs' regulars played only a series or not at all. Some were held out for precautionary reasons as they heal up minor injuries; others played sparingly simply because the coaching staff wanted to get a longer look at some backups.
“I didn't play Addison (Gillam) and Kenneth (Olugbode) but one series,” Leavitt said of his starting inside linebackers. “We didn't play Chido (Awuzie) today. We need to get a look at a lot of guys and get a little depth out there.”
One area of particular interest for Leavitt was the Buffs' defensive line. There, Leavitt rotated in players throughout the 98-play (including kicking plays), 76-minute scrimmage, with several players from the first and second units on the field for long periods of time.
“We tried to get a lot of work for our linemen today,” Leavitt said. “We tried to get some backups in a lot, too. We let those guys play a lot. We want them to get a lot of reps. They have to play when they're tired.”
Because Leavitt's scheme incorporates a variety of defensive fronts, it means a variety of linemen will likely see substantial playing time. Among those getting their fair share of reps were Justin Solis, Eddy Lopez, Jordan Carrell, Terran Hasselbach, Leo Jackson, Samson Kafovalu, Jase Franke and Jimmie Gilbert.
“We learned a lot, but there's a lot of stuff we have to work on,” said sophomore Jackson, a junior college transfer who joined the team last spring in time for spring drills. “I think we're developing a lot of depth, which is what we have to do.”
The Buff defense also got a nice boost early in the scrimmage from linebacker Rick Gamboa, who picked off a Jordan Gehrke pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
Leavitt also got a good look at his secondary.
“We wanted to put some of our DBs in tough positions, see who can make plays and who can't,” he said. “We stayed pretty base and wanted to see what they could do.”
Overall, Leavitt said the defense is improving.
“I was real happy,” Leavitt said. “The guys I wanted to be happy with, I was happy with. Some of the other guys, we'll need to redshirt and get them some more work.
“But, I think we could put a first team out there and some other guys and make a play here and there. We're not there yet, but there's no doubt in my mind we'll get there. The sooner, the better.”
HELD OUT: Among the handful of players who were held out of Saturday's scrimmage as a precaution were defensive lineman Derek McCartney and wide receiver Nelson Spruce. Team officials said both would have played had the Buffs had a regular season game.
NICE CROWD: Several hundred fans were on hand for Saturday's scrimmage. Many took part in the post-practice autograph and "selfie" session, and some also took advantage of a season ticket promotion that allowed them to get a view from Folsom Field seats that are available for sale.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs were scheduled to practice again Saturday afternoon, then have one practice Sunday morning. They'll have another two-a-day session Monday, one practice on Tuesday and a day off from practice Wednesday.
Friday's 8:50 a.m. practice will be the last session of fall camp open to the public and media.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
