Woelk: Buffs Defense Makes Statement In Opening Win Over CSU

DENVER — Earlier this week, Colorado State coach Mike Bobo declined to name his starting quarterback for Friday night's game vs. Colorado, saying he hoped the delay would force Colorado defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt to watch a little extra film.

Leavitt obviously made the most out of that extra time. The Buffs' defensive coordinator threw a plan at Colorado State that bottled up the Rams all night long in one of the most dominating performances by a defense — from either side of the rivalry — in recent years.

Dominant as in forcing six straight CSU three-and-outs to open the game. Dominant as in holding the Rams to 16 total yards on their first 18 offensive snaps.

Dominant as in basically putting the game out of reach before the Rams even gained a first down. By the time that occurred, with just about 9 minutes to go in the second quarter, the Buffs had already built a 24-0 lead and CSU fans were already eyeing the exits.

Those who left early didn't miss anything they hadn't already seen. When the game ended, the Buffs had held the Rams to just 225 yards in a 44-7 victory — the fewest yards by an opponent in a season opener since 1998, when Colorado held CSU to 202 yards in a 42-14 win.

"I thought our guys played well," Leavitt said. "They had their whole team back. They're a good team and we knew going in we were playing a good team. But we know we've got some pretty good players up front and they played well tonight."

The Rams did indeed have the majority of their offense returning from last year, one that compiled 500 yards offense against the Buffs in 2015. That included four returning starters on the offensive line, starting quarterback Nick Stevens and starting running back Dalyn Dawkins, who burned the Buffs for 118 yards rushing and 59 yards receiving a year ago.

But it was not the same CU defense of a year ago. Led by nose tackle Josh Tupou and defensive ends Samson Kafovalu and Jordan Carrelll (three tackles each), the Buffs shut the Rams' running game down from the beginning.

Dawkins' totals Friday night: 88 yards on the ground and 9 yards in the air — and even that total is deceiving. After CSU's first five possessions, Dawkins had just 11 yards rushing.

"Getting those three-and-outs is definitely a good feeling because you come to the sidelines still feeling fresh," Carrell said. "From that first series, I knew we were up to something. Last year, they took the first drive down the field on us. This year, it was just the opposite. We stuck them early and just kept doing it."

Throughout fall camp, it was no secret the Buffs believed their defense was ready to take another big step forward. After a year in which they were one of the most improved defenses in the nation in terms of points allowed, the general consensus was that the defense would be a strength this year.

Friday offered no reason to change that opinion.

"I just feel like we're more experienced, we're stronger, and honestly, this team doesn't want to give anything up," said linebacker Kenneth Olugbode. "We really wanted to go out there and make a statement in our first game and show people what we have as a defense. It was important to us to start this off on the right foot."

Olugbode, who had six tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, certainly did his part. The player who turned the game in CU's favor a year ago with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown came up with his fumble recovery Friday night after a Jimmie Gilbert strip sack to set the stage for a Diego Gonzalez field goal and 24-0 CU lead early in the second quarter.

Fact is, every facet of CU's defense exerted its will. After the defensive line throttled CSU's running game, the secondary shut down the Rams' passing attack. CU cornerback Chidobe Awuzie — eight tackles, an interception and one pass breakup — was seemingly everywhere. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon had a pair of pass breakups and safety Tedric Thompson recorded his seventh career interception.

It was CU's 14th straight game in which the Buffs recorded at least one defensive takeaway.

"We really worked on on our defense and being hard up front," Awuzie said. "This is my last year playing CSU and I think all of us wanted to get this 'W' and do it the way we did it. We have a lot we can improve on, but I think we showed glimpses that we can be a great defense."

The return of Tupou to the CU lineup no doubt is having a big impact. The 325-pound nose tackle virtually demands a double team on every snap, freeing someone else to make a play.

"It took me a few plays to get readjusted," Tupou said. "The game speed is always faster than practice, and CSU is a great team. They have good coaching and their O-line is great. But our emphasis this was stopping the run game and we just came out as a defense and played together."

The goal for the Buffs now will be to build on what they started Friday night. If they continue to improve, they could be the kind of defense that makes a difference in Pac-12 play.

But for the moment, they'll concentrate on next week's home opener vs. Idaho State (3:3 p.m.).

"We have lots of room to get better," Awuzie said. "But I think we're all proud of the way we started out tonight. We wanted to set the tone. If we can continue to get the ball for our offense the way we did tonight, a lot of good things can happen."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu