Buffs Defense Gets Confidence Boost, New Standard
November 13, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado's defensive performance in last weekend's 16-13 win over Stanford was no doubt a confidence boost for the Buffaloes.
After several weeks of improvement but not getting the desired result, CU's defense put forth its best effort of the year in limiting the visiting Cardinal to opponent season lows in points and yards (372).
"It's really important for your players, especially our young players who have been working really hard through practice, to be able to see some results come with everything they've been doing," CU defensive coordinator Tyson Summers said Wednesday. "They understand what our attitudes are and what our expectations are."
But along with a much-needed shot of confidence, the performance should also help set a new baseline for expectations. In other words, the Buffs (4-6 overall, 2-5 Pac-12) now have a measuring stick for the future.
"This is a good opportunity for us to kind of reset the standard and be able to tell them this is what it should look like each week if we're able to get off the field on third down, hold people to field goals and create some takeaways," Summers said. "I think it's very gratifying for those young men."
 Colorado's defense played well in every area against the Cardinal, particularly the defensive line. A group that does not have a single senior held Stanford's run game to just 127 yards while also recording a pair of quarterback sacks and three quarterback hurries.
Like every other position group on defense, CU's line has been hampered by injuries this season. Junior tackle Mustafa Johnson missed most of the Arizona State game and two more contests with an injury and nose tackle Jalen Sami also missed a start.
But both are now back at relative full speed, while sophomore Terrance Lang continues to show weekly improvement. Those three, combined with the play of three newcomers — freshmen Na'im Rodman and Austin Williams and junior college transfer Janaz Jordan — give the Buffs some solid depth up front.
CU's pass rush has been effective the last three weeks, with two sacks in each of the last three games, along with multiple quarterback hurries. Summers said it's a result of the CU staff adjusting and adapting its scheme to available personnel each week. That, plus a solid effort on third down against the Cardinal (Stanford was 3-for-10), helped the Buffs to an overall good day.
"We've obviously had to adapt as different players have kind of come in and out through injury or whatever reason," Summers said. "What we're doing right now gives us the best opportunity to win. We've been able to get better each week, particularly on third down."
PURSELL RETURN A BOOST: The return of offensive lineman Colby Pursell to the lineup last week — Pursell played 23 snaps in a reserve role — was no doubt good news for the Buffs.
As O-line coach Chris Kapilovic pointed out Wednesday morning, the Buffs' results also seem to be better when Pursell plays. In fact, Pursell — who missed five games after gallbladder surgery — has played in five games this year, with Colorado owning a 4-1 record in those contests. CU's only loss with Pursell in the lineup came against Air Force, when he played just 16 snaps before being unable to continue.
Pursell started CU's first four games of the season at right guard before having his gallbladder removed, remedying a situation that had caused him to be sick on an almost daily basis for much of the season.
Now, he's back roughly a month after having the surgery. He played 23 snaps against Stanford, meaning CU is 4-0 when he plays at least 20 snaps in a game.
"He's an unbelievable kid, it means everything to him," Kapilovic said.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs, in the midst of their second bye week of the season, will practice again Thursday, then resume work next Monday in preparation for their Nov. 23 home finale against Washington.
The time of that game will be announced by the Pac-12 on Sunday.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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