Buffs' Shenault Has Been First Down Machine
November 21, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — With his name already firmly etched in the Colorado record books, Buffaloes wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. has two more games to add to those totals, beginning with Saturday's 8 p.m. home finale against Washington (ESPN).
The CU junior is already ninth in career receptions (138), 11th in receiving yards (1,800) and 30th in yards from scrimmage (2,038). Last year, he also produced the third-most receptions in a single season in CU history (86), along with the eighth-most receiving yards (1,011) and tied for fourth for the most 100-yard games in a season (five).
This season, despite being hampered by injury at different junctures, he is still second on the team in receptions (45) and yards (621) and tied for second in receiving touchdowns (3). He also leads CU in yards per catch (13.8) for all receivers with at least 10 catches, and he has 199 yards rushing on 15 carries (a team-leading 7.93 per carry) with two touchdowns on the ground.
But truth is, those numbers don't begin to tell the entire story of Shenault's versatility and value. His ability to run from the wildcat and his nose for first downs has made him one of the most productive offensive players in the Pac-12, as well as a projected first-round pick in next spring's NFL Draft should he decide to leave school a year early.
When Shenault has run the ball this year — especially on third or fourth down — he has been outstanding. In nine rushing attempts in those situations, he has produced nine first downs, including a huge 5-yard gain on fourth-and-1 late in the game against Stanford that kept alive what proved to be the game-winning drive.
But Shenault's first down productivity hasn't been limited to short-yardage situations. Over his career, he has produced a first down (or touchdown on goal-to-go situations) on more than half of his offensive touches.
In his three years, Shenault has 172 offensive touches, and he has produced a first down or goal-to-go touchdown 99 times (57.6 percent). This year, he has 39 first downs or touchdowns in 60 touches, an astounding 65 percent.
If Shenault leaves early to test the NFL Draft waters, he won't have the opportunity to move up to the top of any of CU's career list.
And, while it is a foregone conclusion in most folks' minds that Shenault will likely leave after this season, Shenault isn't ready yet to reveal that decision.
Asked earlier this week if he had thought about this possibly being his last game in Folsom, Shenault shrugged.
"We're just focus on playing the next game," he said. "We'll see how I go."
When pressed on the topic, he refused to commit.Â
"We'll see by the end of the season," he said. "Everybody will know the decision and my choice."
 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: Colorado has played six games this year decided by one score, tied for the fourth-most in the nation. The only teams with more one-score games are North Carolina (nine), Miami (7) and Pittsburgh (7).
The Buffs are 3-3 in those one-score games, including 1-1 in overtime contests.
ALUMNI NOTE: Green Bay Packers placekicker Mason Crosby has played in 202 NFL games, making him just the second Buff in history to play in at least 200. The other is offensive tackle Stan Brock, who played in 234 games with New Orleans and San Diego from 1980-1995).
TOP 150 GAMES: As this year celebrates the 150th year of college football, ESPN put together its list of the top 150 games in history.
The Buffs had five games on the list.
The Colorado games on the list:
No. 21 — Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 24, 1994, #7 Colorado 27, #4 Michigan 26
No. 64 — Miami, Jan. 1, 1991, #1 Colorado 10, #5 Notre Dame 9 (Orange Bowl)
No. 87 — Columbia, Mo., Oct. 6, 1990 #2 Colorado 33, Missouri 31 (fifth down game)
No. 123 — Irving, Texas, Dec. 1, 2001, #9 Colorado 39, #3 Texas 37 (Big 12 Championship)
No. 130 — Boulder, Nov. 4, 1989, #2 Colorado 27, #3 Nebraska 21
By the way, the number one overall game on the list is one that quickly became known as "The Game of the Century," the 35-31 win for No. 1 Nebraska over No. 2 Oklahoma in 1971. That was the year that the Huskers finished No. 1 in the nation, followed by Oklahoma at No. 2 and Colorado at No. 3.
It is still the only season in history that three teams from the same conference occupied the top three spots in the final Associated Press poll.
LEOMITI HONORED: Former CU defensive back standout Donnell Leomiti, now defensive coordinator at Colorado State-Pueblo under John Wristen, has been honored as the American Football Coaches Association Division II Assistant Coach of the Year.
Leomiti played safety for the Buffs from 1993-95. In his time at CSUP, he has become an inspiration for the team, the university and the community during his battle with cancer.
"I'm very honored and privileged to receive this award and to represent this great university," Leomiti said. "It all starts with the leadership of Dr. Paul Plinske and head coach John Wristen. I'm fortunate to work with a great staff, but ultimately we have great players that love the program and have bought in."
Leomiti is in his 12th year as an assistant coach at CSU-Pueblo and his third as defensive coordinator. This season, the Pack defense finished the regular season first in NCAA Division II in interceptions (26), sacks (3.82 spg) and defensive touchdowns (9); second in turnovers gained (32); fourth in rushing defense (60.9 ypg); fifth in scoring defense (14.5 ppg); and eighth in team passing efficiency defense (96.93).
CSUP will host Augustana on Saturday in the first round of the Division II playoffs.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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