Colorado University Athletics
Buffs RBs Enjoying Productive Spring
March 30, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — While much of the attention this spring has been directed toward the ramped-up speed of the passing game, there's another part of the Colorado Buffaloes' offense that has been very quietly making some significant headway.
Say hello to the running backs, a group that has made solid strides.
Wednesday's practice was a perfect example. While the passing game produced a number of big plays in what was almost certainly the offense's best practice this spring, the running game also piled up some big yards in several full-contact drills. Donovan Lee broke a 50-plus yard run to the end zone, Patrick Carr had several nice gains that included a burst into the end zone on a goal-line drill, Phillip Lindsay hammered out some tough third-down yards and Michael Adkins II also had a powerful run into the end zone in a red-zone drill.
“They're all doing well,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said of his running backs. “I would say the three top ones right now, in no direct order — they're all making plays out here, but the three that are making plays continuously are Phillip, Carr and Lee. They're making the most plays every day.”
Much of the buzz this spring around the Buffs — and understandably so — has been generated by CU's incorporation of some of the Texas Tech “Air Raid” scheme via the arrival of co-offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini.
But it's worth remembering that the Red Raiders also ran the ball quite well last season, finishing 40th in the nation last year in rushing (191.3 yards per game) and boasting the nation's 17th-leading rusher in DeAndre Washington (1,492 yards and 14 touchdowns).
To put that into perspective, figure this: the last time the Buffs finished with that many yards on the ground, or had a rusher who hit that total, was 2002, when Chris Brown's 1,744 yards helped the Buffs to 3,136 yards on the ground.
Now, the Buffs would like to make sure their running game is the perfect complement to the passing game as they begin utilizing the strategy of getting players in “space.”
“We're making good strides,” running backs coach Darian Hagan said. “What you're seeing is them understanding what we're trying to accomplish up front with the O-line and the blocks and the concepts of the plays.”
The key, Hagan said, has been convincing the backs to be decisive.
“From Day One, I've told them to be assertive, make a decision and then we'll look at it on film and coach you up,” Hagan said. “They're starting to do that. They're going out there, playing fast and not worrying about missing a cut or making a mistake. For the most part, they're making really, really good decisions, and that's why you're seeing them have success and pop some of those long runs like they did today.”
Carr, a sophomore who saw some playing time as a true freshman, is no doubt more comfortable this spring. He's making quick cuts, reading holes on the run and turning what might have been short gains a year ago into much longer runs now.
“I'm understanding the concepts and I'm able to see things,” Carr said. “I'm able to follow my puller and be in his hip pocket when we go inside and see what's happening once I get through the line. I'm progressing decently every day, and it's starting to slow down for me.”
But the biggest key for Carr has been simply reacting instinctively.
“Just making decisions on the go,” Carr said. “Like Coach Hagan said, play fast and don't do too much thinking. Just play. Just react.”
Carr's reactions thus far have turned heads
“I've been impressed with Patrick Carr,” Chiaverini said. “I think Patrick can be a dynamic player. I've also been impressed with Phillip Lindsay. He's just a tough, blue-collar, get those tough yards guy and he's a good leader. Then there's Donovan Lee — he had that big run today. He looked as fast as I've seen him. They're all working hard, trying to get better every day. They're making progress, and that's what we want.”
Lindsay — CU's leading rusher a year ago with 658 yards — Lee and Carr have been spending much of their time with the No. 1 offense, with Adkins also getting some repetitions.
“He's had good days and bad days,” MacIntyre said of Adkins, who missed most of last season with a hamstring injury. “He's made some plays. As spring goes on and after he has a good summer and we go through two-a-days, I think he'll be back. I think he's a little bit rusty but he has shown some good signs and some good things.”
PRACTICE NOTES: Wednesday was almost certainly the offense's best overall day of the spring. Along with Lee's touchdown run, the offense provided some big plays on the arm of quarterback Steven Montez, who connected on several long balls, with Shay Fields and Devin Ross on the receiving end.
“Devin's really starting to take the next step,” Chiaverini said. “It's confidence. Playing receiver is confidence. All these kids have good eye-hand coordination, they have good ball skills — it's just a matter of them being confident. When I played my best ball as a receiver, I was confident. I had good ball skills, but I was confident in what I was doing. I told Devin, 'You can be a really, really good player if you're confident in what you're doing. You can't play insecure.' He's taking that next step, which is good to see.”
Fields is also making big plays — “he needs to be that guy,” Chiaverini said — and junior college transfer Kabion Ento is getting into the mix. “Kabion's really been making some strides,” Chiaverini said. “He can run, stretch the field.”
ON DEFENSE: Defensively, sophomore outside linebacker N.J. Falo has been making his presence felt by getting to the quarterback with regularity. Falo played both inside and outside last season, but appears to have found a home on the edge.
“N.J. has made a big step in the last two practices,” MacIntyre said. “He was doing good before spring break, and on spring break he watched everything and the light bulb went higher. He's making sacks, making plays. The old saying I stole from Coach (Bill) Parcells: knowledge equals confidence equals playing fast. I think his knowledge is comfortable and now he's playing fast because he's a great athlete.”
Meanwhile, MacIntyre said Christian Shaver, who has played inside and outside linebacker, will remain on the inside. Other defenders getting time with the first defense include Michael Mathewes on the interior, Jase Franke at nose tackle and Deaysean Rippy at outside linebacker.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
