Woelk: 10 Takeaways From Buffs Win Over Sun Devils
October 07, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Mike MacIntyre's Colorado Buffaloes are not only 5-0 and ranked in the top 20 in the nation (No. 19 AP, No. 18 USA Today) — they are also doing what good teams should do: improve on a weekly basis.
Saturday's 28-21 win over Arizona State in front of a jam-packed Folsom Field crowd (52,681) was the Buffs' best overall effort yet against the best team the Buffs have faced so far. Colorado's offense once again came up with big plays and punishing drives, the defense delivered key stops when most needed — including a huge goal-line stand — and special teams were consistent.
This is not a team that appears content to rest on its laurels.
But now the road only gets tougher — literally and figuratively. CU next faces perhaps its toughest stretch of the season, as the Buffs travel to Los Angeles on Saturday for a pivotal Pac-12 South showdown with USC (8:30 p.m., FS1), followed by an Oct. 20 visit to seventh-ranked Washington.
So what did we learn from Saturday's win over the Sun Devils?
Our weekly 10 Takeaways:
1. Colorado's coaching staff has pushed all the right buttons. From MacIntyre on down, the CU staff has done a stellar job in preparing their players mentally and physically, as well as developing game plans that have put the Buffs in position to make game-changing plays.
But it is more than just Xs and Os. CU's coaches have found a way to make sure a blend of veterans and young players have developed a strong chemistry — not always an easy task — and have kept the Buffs motivated while helping develop a unique personality. As MacIntyre noted after Saturday's game, this is a group that has found a way to stay "loose" and enjoy the moment but still remain focused on the task at hand.
The importance of that chemistry can't be overstated.
Equally important is the way CU's coaches have been able to firmly weave the "one game at a time" philosophy into the fabric of the team. As offensive lineman and team captain Aaron Haigler said after Saturday's win, "This week was the most important week of the year because it was this week."
Of course, the task for CU's coaches only gets tougher from here on out. They must make sure egos don't get in the way while also preventing the Buffs from getting too caught up in their newfound notoriety. As one coach told me years ago, "Nobody ever got better by reading the headlines."
Today, you could add social media to that statement.
But so far, this staff seems to have its fingers on the pulse of the team. If they can maintain that continuity, there's no reason these Buffs can't stay grounded and focused — and continue to have some fun along the way.
2. The offensive attack continues to evolve. Offensive co-coordinators Darrin Chiaverini and Klayton Adams have made CU's offense a multi-dimensional attack that takes advantage of every player's talents.
Most significant has been the development of a package that moves wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. all over the field, making the sophomore one of the most dangerous players in America. At the same time, they have made good use of the wildcat formation — one that stacks tight ends on one side while incorporating counters, motion and other misdirection — to add a new level to CU's red zone offense.
But the offense is more than one player. CU continues to utilize its entire talented receiving corps while also tailoring the system to best take advantage of quarterback Steven Montez's terrific skill set (kudos to QBs coach Kurt Roper here).
Also worth mentioning? The Buffs haven't forgotten the running game, something today's up-tempo, spread offenses have a tendency to do. But instead of making it an afterthought, CU has done a nice job in picking and choosing spots to incorporate a rushing attack that puts Travon McMillian in position to make plays.
3. Colorado's second-half defense is a beast. Three times this year, Colorado has entered the second half in a close game, then had the defense set the tone and give the offense every opportunity to win in the final two quarters.
At Nebraska, the Buffs held the Huskers to one second-half touchdown. Against UCLA, the Bruins managed only a field goal after halftime. Saturday, the Sun Devils also managed just one score after intermission.
The Buffs have been particularly tough in the fourth quarter — in fact, as good as anyone in the nation. CU has allowed just three points all year in the final period, and that came when Colorado State booted a field goal to narrow the Buffs' lead to 45-13 in the season opener.
Of course, MacIntyre would like to see the defense set that kind of tone a little earlier in the game. "We need to get that cranked up a little bit quicker in the first half," he said Saturday.
Still, the overall effort of D.J. Eliot's crew has been solid. While the Buffs are a respectable 46th in the nation in total defense (355 yards per game), they have been outstanding in the stat that matters most — scoring defense, where they are ranked 21st in the country (18.4 points per game).
Most of all, Eliot is putting his playmakers in position to make a difference, and it is seemingly a different player delivering a big play every week.
4. CU's offensive line is beginning to gel. For the second week in a row, Klayton Adams' big fellas up front imposed their will on a defense to control a game down the stretch.
A week ago, the Colorado O-line dominated UCLA in the second half as the Buffs scored the last 24 points of the game in a 38-16 win. Against ASU, they took it up another notch. Colorado did not give up a sack, allowing Montez plenty of time to throw for much of the afternoon, and the Buffs also cleared lanes all day for the running game.
Most impressive was CU's final drive.
With the Buffs holding on to a 28-21 lead, they took possession with 7:10 to go. The Sun Devils never had the ball in their hands again. CU's line hammered away at the heart of ASU's defense, opening up hole after hole for McMillian to put the game away as Colorado needed just two passes in the final 13 plays.
The importance of being able to deliver such a drive can't be overstated. While a quick-strike offense is a huge momentum changer, the need for a grind-it-out, physically punishing attack is equally invaluable.
It's also nice to have a little depth on the line, and the Buffs continue to develop that as well. Freshman Frank Fillip got some snaps at right tackle while junior right guard Tim Lynott Jr., who did not start for the second week in a row, played the final three series and had some big blocks on those running plays.
When the season began, we knew the line would be a work in progress simply because of a relative lack of experience. Judging from the last two games, that progress is being made.
5. Laviska Shenault Jr. has established himself as one of the nation's best players. After five games, the CU sophomore wide receiver has legitimate claim to be included among the discussion of the nation's elite.
Opposing teams know what kind of threat he poses and they game plan specifically to stop him — yet he continues to make plays. He leads the nation in receiving yards per game (141.6) and receptions per game (10.2), and is seventh in total touchdowns with 10 ( while being the only player in the top 10 with just five games played).
Shenault is a matchup nightmare. He gets open against double coverage, makes plays in traffic, can simply outrun single coverage, and is a violent runner when he catches the ball. At some point, you figure someone will devise a way to at least slow him down — but if they do, they run the risk of CU's other big-play threats breaking loose.
It will be interesting to see how the scenario plays out.
6. Steven Montez is "quietly" having a breakout season. The word "quietly" is relative here — but if Shenault were not having such a standout year, Colorado's junior quarterback would be the talk of the town.
Montez is virtually tied with Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa for the nation's lead in completion percentage (.752), 10th in the nation in passing efficiency (174.2) and 15th in passing yards per game (284.0). He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions, and has yet to throw a pick in Pac-12 play.
But most importantly, he is playing the game with the savvy and poise of a veteran. He is reading defenses better than ever, knows when to step up in the pocket and when to scramble, and is putting the ball into some tight windows as well as throwing the deep ball with authority and accuracy. His growth in these areas has made him as good of a quarterback as there is in the conference — and certainly deserving of being in the conversation when it comes to the nation's best.
7. Delrick Abrams Jr. and Mustafa Johnson are turning into quality Pac-12 players. The fact that Colorado is developing another high-level cornerback should come as no surprise. There are, after all, four former MacIntyre corners currently playing in the NFL.
Abrams has the ability to be the next. At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, he has the length and size to do battle with big receivers — witness his pass breakup in the end zone on CU's goal line stand Saturday — and the speed to run with the fastest wideouts.
He is also a fast learner under corners coach Ashley Ambrose and defensive passing game coordinator ShaDon Brown. After two years in the junior college ranks, he has adapted quickly to D-I ball, and has even become a weapon coming off the edge on corner blitzes. He should continue to improve, and could be the Buffs' next "lockdown" corner.
Johnson, meanwhile, is another JC transfer who is adapting in a hurry. He was impressive in spring ball, and is proving to be a master "disrupter" for CU in the trenches under the tutelage of D-line coach Kwahn Drake.
Listed at 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, Johnson is a tad smaller than the prototype defensive end. But he has great strength and balance and quick feet and good speed, as evidenced by his key sack of ASU quarterback Manny Wilkins on CU's goal line stand Saturday.
Johnson finished with 10 tackles against ASU, including another tackle for loss to go with his sack. He can play inside and outside, depending on CU's defensive front, and is another player who should continue to improve as the season progresses.
8. Linebacker Drew Lewis is coming into his own. Inside or out doesn't seem to matter to the CU senior. Switched to the outside in fall camp, Lewis was just getting comfortable with the position, as he showed with his two sacks last week against UCLA.
But when Nate Landman was sent to the sidelines after a targeting call in the first half Sunday, Lewis returned to his old stomping grounds and had an outstanding game. Lewis is one of the best athletes on the team, and is now showing that he can be a force wherever he plays.
9. This team has depth. When Lewis switched over to the inside to replace Landman on Saturday, the Buffs didn't worry about who would play outside. Even with sophomore Jacob Callier out with a shoulder injury (he will undergo surgery next week and redshirt this season), the Buffs still had plenty of depth at OLB.
The bulk of the playing time went to freshman Carson Wells, who has started three of five games. Wells had a solid game, notching three tackles and a pair of quarterback hurries. The Buffs also have some outside help in Nu'umoto Falo Jr. and Alex Tchangam, both of whom are getting playing time, and starting Buff back Davion Taylor continues to be a playmaker off the edge as well.
It's not the only place the Buffs are rotating players without seeing a drop in production. The Buffs are getting quality snaps from reserves Jase Franke (four tackles and a sack vs. ASU), Terrance Lang and Lyle Tuiloma; Chris Miller came on and played well at corner in relief of Dante Wigley; and the offensive line continues to build depth.
It's not only a good sign for this year — as it means fresher players when the season heads down the home stretch — it's also a good sign for the future.
10. CU's road gets exponentially tougher in a hurry. A 5-0 record and a national ranking are nice. But all over the nation Sunday morning, college football pundits were pointing to the next two weeks — at USC and at Washington — as games that will define Colorado as a contender or pretender.
It's hard to argue — and while we can speculate all we'd like, only the Buffs can provide the answer when the rubber hits the road.
It should be fun to watch.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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