Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Defense Focuses On ASU Rushing Attack
November 01, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It's been a constant over the last two seasons: when Colorado's run defense plays well, the Buffs usually win.
Since the beginning of 2016, Colorado is 9-1 when holding an opponent under 150 yards rushing. The only blip is this season's 27-23 loss at UCLA, when the Buffs held the Bruins to just 95 yards on the ground but yielded 372 in the air.
Thus, it's no surprise that the Buffs this week are taking a long look at Arizona State's run game — even though the Sun Devils have had more success through the air than on the ground this season.
Heading into Saturday's game in Tempe (7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks), the Sun Devils are ninth in the conference in rushing offense, averaging just 121.4 yards per game, and fifth in pass offense (268.8). But the Buffs still want to stop the Sun Devils' one-two punch of Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage and then take their chances with ASU's passing game.
"They're both excellent players," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "They're powerful, big and athletic."
Together, the two have combined for 757 yards and 10 touchdowns this year.
A year ago, the Buffs held the Sun Devils' run game in check in a 40-16 win. Richard had just 59 yards and Ballage only 14 as Colorado held ASU to just 50 yards on the ground, thanks in part to five quarterback sacks.
But in CU's last visit to Tempe, the Sun Devils ran for 231 yards in a 48-23 win.
"They've got some big running backs and we have to take that into consideration," Buffs linebacker Drew Lewis said. "We have to hit them and tackle low and use fundamentals. If we stop their run game, then everything else falls into place."
The Buffs are coming off a solid defensive performance in last week's 44-28 win over Cal. While the Bears did finish with 435 yards, 210 came in the fourth quarter when Cal was playing catchup after the Buffs had built a 20-point lead. The effort also coincided with the best overall effort by CU's offense this season.
"We kind of set the tempo early and we just kept the pressure on," Lewis said. "When everybody's playing well, you feed off that on the sidelines. That brings up the level of energy and excitement. When all three phases are in tune, everything starts clicking."
After coming close several times this year, Lewis finally recorded his first quarterback sack of the season against Cal, as did defensive back Evan Worthington. The Buffs are using both more and more to bring pressure on the opposing quarterback.
"It's definitely fun using my ability to my full advantage," Worthington said. "Running around, chasing the ball down, staying active — that's what I love to do. This weekend, we just have to stop the run. We're working on that, and all the other stuff will click."
SUN DEVILS VS. NATION'S LEADERS: Arizona State has already had the "privilege" this year of facing the top two ground gainers in the nation at this point of the season.
Stanford's Bryce Love (currently No. 1 in the nation) ran for 301 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-24 Cardinal win; San Diego State's Rashaad Penny (No. 2 in the nation) ran for 216 yards and one score in a 30-20 Aztecs win. Last week, USC's Ronald Jones ran for 216 yards and two scores.
This week, Colorado will send the nation's No. 3 ground gainer, Phillip Lindsay, against the Sun Devils. Lindsay last year ran for 219 yards and three touchdowns against ASU, including a 75-yard scoring run — CU's longest play from scrimmage of the season.
TREGO COULD RETURN: MacIntyre said safety Kyle Trego could return this week. Trego, a mainstay on special teams, has missed the last couple of games with an ankle injury.
HORNUNG PITCH FOR FRAZIER: MacIntyre made a pitch for Buffs tight end/defensive end George Frazier as a candidate for the Hornung Award. The honor, named after former Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame great Paul Hornung, recognizes versatile, high-level performers.
Frazier has been a big part of CU's running game this year as a blocker, and has played well on the defensive line. He is also a regular special teams performer.
"Usually it (the Hornung Award) is skill guys but as many plays as he's playing, if they watch tape they'll see how much of an impact he is," MacIntyre said. "Hopefully he'll get into the finalists for that. I think he deserves it."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
