Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Continue To Utilize Shenault's Versatility
September 25, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Thus far this season, Colorado's Laviska Shenault Jr. has lined up at wide receiver, slot, H-back/tight end, running back and as the direct snap recipient in the wildcat formation.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound sophomore is a threat to score from any of those spots.
In three games, Shenault has caught 26 passes for 455 yards and three touchdowns, enough to make him the nation's leader in receiving yards per game (151.7) and receptions per game (8.7). He has an 89-yard touchdown catch, CU's longest play from scrimmage this season, 10 yards rushing and one touchdown on the ground, and has produced 18 first downs (15 receiving, 3 rushing) — including eight third- or fourth-down conversions.
That's a first down for every 1.6 times he has touched the ball — and aside from quarterback Steven Montez, Shenault has the second-most offensive touches on the team this season, with his 29 trailing only running back Travon McMillian's 33 carries.
"I get really excited every time Laviska gets the opportunity to catch the ball or get a fly sweep or any of that stuff because I know any time the ball is in Laviska's hands, he's going to more than likely make a play with it," Montez said at CU's weekly press conference Tuesday. "(He's) very explosive, very strong. So I think anytime we can get the ball to number 2's hands it's gonna be good news for us."
The Buffs are no doubt doing their best to make sure Shenault has plenty of those opportunities. Along with being one of the fastest wide receivers on the team, he is also the strongest and biggest. It makes him a matchup nightmare for defenses, an advantage CU co-offensive coordinators Darrin Chiaverini and Klayton Adams are continually trying to exploit.
It is a trend they 3-0 Buffs hope to continue Friday when they host 0-3 UCLA in both teams' Pac-12 opener at Folsom Field (7 p.m., FS1).
The evolution of Shenault's multi-position development didn't happen overnight. CU's offensive staff began cooking up possibilities in the offseason, and at the same time also incorporated Colorado's raft of other talented wideouts into the attack. It has given the Buffs a multi-pronged scheme with weapons all over the field that perfectly fits Colorado's up-tempo pace.
"(CU's offensive staff) sat down and really started looking at how we could get all of those guys on the field at the same time," MacIntyre said earlier this season. "Viska can play tailback, Viska can play tight end, Viska can play wide receiver, he could play 'mike' linebacker or outside 'backer. There's a lot of things Viska can do and we felt like we needed him on the field all the time and needed to utilize him in different spots. It makes it harder for (defenses) to key on him and gives us versatility with one package of players, so you don't always need to substitute and you can play fast and do a lot of different things. He gives us the ability to do that."
When co-offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini brought the plan to MacIntyre, he gave it the thumbs up.
"Chev brought it to me and said, 'We can get all those guys out there,'" MacIntyre said "I said, 'That's a great idea, let's work on doing it.' Klayton and all the offensive coaches put it together and we've been working on it. Each week we'll change up things and make different tweaks, but I'm excited about the way we're headed."
It clearly has worked. While Shenault has been the focal point — he has one touchdown catch in each of CU's first three games — the Buffs have received production from all over the field. Thus far, nine different offensive players have at least one touchdown, and in three games, the Buffs already have eight plays of at least 40 yards, with Shenault accounting for three of those.
Last year, CU had just 11 plays of at least 40 yards in 12 games.
Shenault said he loves the opportunity to line up at so many different spots. While it means learning far more plays, it also affords him the chance to utilize his considerable skills in a variety of ways.
"It is a fun challenge because it opens up windows for me," he said. "I basically can do everything and I do everything that they ask for. It is definitely fun. The opposing team never knows where I am going to be. It opens up a lot for me."
Thus far, teams haven't dedicated a "spy" to Shenault — someone who simply shadows him on virtually every play. But, MacIntyre said, if someone does employ that strategy, the Buffs will be ready.
"I think they'll try to find him, but Chev has done a phenomenal job of moving him all around," MacIntyre said. "The great thing about it is, Viska understands football and is very bright, so he can move around to different spots. Also when you do that, our other receivers need to know other places to play. Chev does a great job teaching all of those guys. Even if they do that, our quarterback knows what's happening and where we're going. All of our throws are on reads anyway so we're moving him around. There are certain situations where we're trying to get guys the ball in different ways but we can also move him around as a decoy, which opens up another guy. Our quarterback understands that and Chev has done a great job utilizing that."
Tuesday morning, officials with the Biletnikoff Award — given annually to the nation's top receiver — added Shenault to the award's national watch list. After already having been named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week once as well as the Earl Campbell Award weekly winner, it is simply the latest bit of recognition for Shenault.
"I am not used to it, (but) I like the pressure," he said. "I am going to remain humble and just keep playing the way I'm playing. Hopefully everything keeps playing out right."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
