Buffs Aim To Get Pressure On ISU Passing Game

BOULDER — One week after facing a heavy run-oriented offense, the Colorado Buffaloes will get their first taste of a pass-happy crew Saturday when they play host to Idaho State.

Colorado's aim will be to turn pass happy into pass misery.

The Bengals, led by quarterback Tanner Gueller (24-for-36, 338 yards, 3 touchdowns), threw for 378 yards in their opening 47-3 win over Simon Fraser. ISU also rushed for 165 yards in the game, but the Buffs are expecting the Bengals to come out slinging in Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Mountain).

"We have to harass their quarterback," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "They do a lot of quick throws, so they'll do that and get some off. But hopefully our guys can have tight enough coverage at times that we can make the guy go to second read and hold it a little bit. But we do need to get after their passer."

In their opener against Colorado State, the Buffs' pass defense was outstanding. Two CSU quarterbacks combined to throw for just 63 yards and one touchdown on 12-of-29 passing, while also throwing a pair of interceptions. Colorado also managed a pair of sacks against the Rams — one each from linebackers Jimmie Gilbert and Kenneth Olugbode — with Gilbert's sack forcing a fumble that Olugbode recovered.

It's an effort they'd no doubt like to repeat Saturday, and one that seems within their grasp: while ISU did have success in the air against Simon Fraser, the Bengals also yielded four quarterback sacks.

But while sacks are always the ultimate goal of any pass rush, the Buffs also want to make sure they are simply disrupting the pocket at every opportunity. It may not produce a tackle for a loss, but it greatly enhances the chance of an incompletion — or interception, something the Buffs also managed to do twice against the Rams (Chidobe Awuzie and Tedric Thompson).

"Even if he gets the ball off, at least hurry him or get a hit on him," Gilbert said. "That way, it disrupts his timing and when he does have the ball, he's thinking about it. If we can get there, perfect. If not, cause as much havoc as possible to give our DBs a chance to get an interception."

Gilbert, coming off a season when he led the Buffs with six sacks, would like to increase that number this season. But as the outside linebacker in the Buffs' 3-4 alignment, he also hasn't forgotten the defense's No. 1 priority — stop the run.

"If we can't stop the run, they'll just run it on us all day," Gilbert said. "For us, stopping the run matters the most. If we do that, it gives everybody the opportunity to pass rush."

The Buffs were certainly successful in that area against Colorado State, particularly early in the game. CU limited the Rams to just 16 yards on their first 18 offensive snaps in six possessions. CSU threw incomplete on third down on five of those possessions and gave up a sack and fumble on the other.

"If you can't get to him, you can go to a bull rush, get your hands up, maybe knock the ball down or make him lob it," Gilbert said. "Do something to get him off his game, get him off his rhythm. That's what Coach (defensive line coach Jim) Jeffcoat and Coach (defensive coordinator Jim) Leavitt tell us all the time. Get your hands up so it's not an easy throw. Knock it down, contain the quarterback — whatever you have to do to get him off his game."

The Buffs should have their chance against ISU's sophomore quarterback, who earned his first win last weekend. While Gueller did throw for 338 yards and three touchdowns, he also fumbled three times on three sacks. ISU Mike Kramer put some of the blame on his offensive line, but also some on Gueller.

"Pass protection is something we do, but it's not always going to be perfect," Kramer said. "The strength of our football team is our quarterback's ability to catch and spit the ball."

Translation: take the snap and make quick throws before the defense can disrupt the play.

"We've been working on having to tip some passes with their quick passing game," MacIntyre said. "We hope to get a few tips. But it's going to be mainly pushing the pocket and making the guy feel pressure. Not always do you hit him, but you make him feel the pressure and hurry up the timing."

CO-COORDINATORS MESHING WELL: CU's co-offensive coordinators seemed to produce exactly what the Buffs were looking for in the opener: a rapid pace, a nice variety in play calling and no trouble whatsoever in getting plays from the sideline to the field in plenty of time.

The Buffs worked the game with Brian Lindgren in the booth calling plays and Darrin Chiaverini on the sidelines, where he could also coach his receivers. The two have insisted since last spring that they are working well together, and the first game results certainly seemed to bear that out.

"I think it was more important for the offense to have some success," Chiaverini said. "Now they see where this thing can go, and see where it can go to the next level and be a very good offense. But we've just scratched the surface. We're not even close to where we want to be."

BROADCAST CREWS: Handling the Pac-12 Mountain broadcast Saturday will be Greg Wolf on play-by-play and Eric Coleman in the analyst role, with Kyndra de St. Aubin on the sidelines. Calling the game for KOA radio will be Mark Johnson on play-by-play and former CU coach Gary Barnett providing analysis.

CLEAR BAG REMINDER: CU officials are reminding fans that this week marks the beginning of a clear bag policy at Folsom Field. Fans may bring one clear bag no larger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches, or a one-gallon resealable clear plastic storage bag, into the stadium. Fans will also be allowed one small clutch purse, no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Bags that will no longer be allowed into Folsom Field include backpacks, large purses, oversized tote bags, camera bags and binocular cases, diaper bags, fanny packs and printed plastic bags.

Seat cushions and chair backs will still be allowed, but they must be 18 inches or less in width and cannot have pockets, zippers or covers.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu