Eliot, MacIntyre Like Progress Of Buffs Defense After Second Scrimmage
August 18, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot walked away from Friday night's scrimmage under the lights in Folsom Field feeling good about his unit's improvement.
One week earlier, CU's defense — missing four potential starters — gave up a few too many big plays for Eliot's and CU head coach Mike MacIntyre's liking in the Buffs' first major scrimmage of camp.
Friday, however, Eliot's group was much better from top to bottom. The defense recorded several third-down stops in situational drills, applied good pressure on the quarterback and played well against the run.
"A lot fewer mistakes, a lot better execution with a lot better technique," Eliot said after the Buffs wrapped up their week with a Saturday morning workout. "I was pleased with the way we played last night. I think we're going to be a lot better at some spots and I'm excited about that."
As far as players who "popped" in the Friday workout, MacIntyre mentioned a pair of true freshmen, defensive lineman Israel Antwine and safety Hasaan Hypolite. Both got some work in with the No. 1 defense, and both appeared to be comfortable in the role.
Antwine has been seeing more and more time with the top unit over the last week while Hypolite has also moved up the ranks in the last six practices.
"Izzy still played real well, Hasaan Hypolite played real well," MacIntyre said. "Those are some of the guys that pop … Other guys on offense did a good job, the young guys that have been playing there. I was excited about that. Nobody took a step back."
Hypolite is a solid (5-foot-11, 200 pounder) who has been getting some extra reps in place of some starters have been limited by injury over the last week.
"Hasaan's very physical, athletic," MacIntyre said. "He's still kind of learning everything but he brings a physical presence to the secondary. Very physical player."
Also coming up with some nice defensive plays were inside linebacker Nate Landman, outside linebackers Carson Wells and Nu'umoto Falo Jr., safeties Nick Fisher and Derrion Rakestraw, and defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson.
Eliot's goal has been to identify potential big playmakers, then get them into the best possible position to disrupt an offense. It has resulted in players such as Buff back Davion Taylor, safety Evan Worthington and inside/outside linebacker Drew Lewis making a considerable difference. Thanks to some improved depth virtually across the board, Eliot and his staff are also able to match players' strengths with specific situations.
That improved depth has meant a number of players getting reps with the No. 1 defense as CU coaches attempt to find which combinations will work best in specific situations.
Up front, it has meant Johnson, Javier Edwards, Antwine and Chris Mulumba getting their share of work, along with Terrance Lang, Jase Franke and Lyle Tuiloma. At outside linebacker, it has been a variety of combinations that include Carson Wells, Falo, Jacob Callier and Lewis; while five players are still vying for time at cornerback.
"We've made some good strides," Eliot said. "I think we've implemented some good players in the right spots and I'm optimistic on how we'll play. I think our guys have the right mentality now, they have the right work ethic and the right concentration to get better and be successful."
The Buffs' offense did have some bright spots in the scrimmage, moving the ball steadily on a couple of drives, converting some key third downs and producing some big plays. Quarterbacks Steven Montez, Sam Noyer and Tyler Lytle were consistent, while running back Travon McMillian and wide receivers Tony Brown and Laviska Shenault Jr. were productive as well.
Meanwhile, CU coaches continue to work different combinations on the offensive line, particularly on the left side, where Brett Tonz, William Sherman and Josh Kaiser are all getting snaps at tackle and guard.
CU's kickers also had a good night, with punter Alex Kinney continuing his impressive camp with a host of long, booming kicks that had plenty of hang time.
"After looking at the scrimmage last night and all we did, I thought it went well," MacIntyre said. "I thought all phases we got a lot accomplished in the scrimmage, which was good."
The Buffs continue to make situational drills a priority, especially third-down plays and red zone production. CU last year was under 42 percent in third-down conversions, and also came up short in some key red-zone situations in close games.
"We've worked on it a lot," MacIntyre said. "Now we have to make sure it shows up in the game. We've put in the time and effort to make sure we are understanding those areas. When the field shrinks, defensively third-down situations, where the sticks are, where the receiver has to get to, where the DB has to be — those are all critical factors in winning and losing football games. We practice it a lot and definitely hope they relate to it in the games."
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will take the day off Sunday, then return to work Monday. CU players have one more week before classes begin, but now have less than two weeks before the Aug. 31 season opener against Colorado State in Denver (7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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