Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Head To ASU For Pac-12 Opener
September 21, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
TEMPE, Ariz. — Mel Tucker's Colorado Buffaloes have the opportunity to end a couple of skids Saturday night at Sun Devil Stadium when 2-1 CU squares off with 3-0, 24th-ranked Arizona State (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
For starters, the Buffs can end an 0-5 slide against the Sun Devils on ASU's home field, a record that includes four losses in Pac-12 play. Colorado can also end a losing streak against ranked teams on the road that currently sits at 29. CU's last win over a ranked team on the road came in 2002, when Gary Barnett's Buffs knocked off No. 20 UCLA.
But fact is, Colorado's first-year head coach has had nothing to do with those streaks. The only thing that matters to Tucker — and the rest of the Buffs — is opening Pac-12 play with a victory.
"We want to play our best football going into conference," Tucker said earlier this week.
The game will pit a potent if inconsistent Colorado offense — the Buffs are averaging more than 36 points per game — against an ASU defense that is second in the nation in points allowed, yielding just seven points per game thus far.Â
On the flip side, a Colorado defense that has given up at least 30 points in all three games this year should have a chance to improve that number. Arizona State is averaging less than 20 points per game and has leaned on its defense to make the difference.
But the most-watched player on the field will be wearing a Colorado uniform. CU wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. scored all four touchdowns in CU's 28-21 win in Boulder last year — two receiving and two rushing — and ASU coach Herm Edwards has spent the week making sure his defense remembers Colorado's No. 2.
"He is a really good football player," Edwards said. "It is fun to watch him on tape. ... You better be ready for him. There are times when you may not hear from him, but they will get the ball to him in big moments. They know when they need a play, they will orchestrate a play for him, whether he is in motion or in the backfield as quarterback. We have to know where he lines up."
Tucker's Buffs have spent the week working on details — the little things that have led to some inconsistency on both sides of the ball, particularly in the first half.
"It really comes down to the fine details, the inches that you need," Tucker said. "When you're competing at a high level, success is measured in inches. And we see it week in and week out in college football and pro football, it comes down to one play here or there."
To make the necessary plays against ASU, Colorado's offense will have to solve a Sun Devils defensive scheme that does its best to create chaos on every play. ASU has some outstanding linebackers in Merlin Robertson and Darien Butler, along with some excellent safeties in Aashari Crosswell and Evan Fields.
The Sun Devils are averaging more than two sacks and nearly six tackles for loss per game.
"They do a tremendous job," said CU offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. "They're unbelievably multiple. Very active with their front six and their blitz patterns. They have some very athletic guys that can get you out of balance and out of synch with what they do. … They're very, very active in the different presentations, trying to create chaos for you up front. It will be a great challenge for us."
Along with keeping Shenault in check, the Sun Devils' defense will also focus on making life tough for Colorado quarterback Steven Montez. The CU senior completed 24 of 33 attempts for 328 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions last year — and was also not sacked once.
"They do some weird stuff up front, and they have a good defense," Montez said. "They have a good front seven, but they also just play good football. They're physical, they fly around the field, and they have good athletes. We're going to be prepared for that."
Defensively, the Buffs will try to make life tough for ASU true freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has shown an ability to come up with big plays at crucial moments. He led a game-winning 75-yard touchdown drive last week at Michigan State in a 10-7 Arizona State win, coming up with a big 40-yard completion and two runs for first downs.
Also a concern for Colorado is running back Eno Benjamin. The ASU junior has run for 209 yards and a touchdown this year and has also proven to be a capable receiver with nine catches for 137 yards, including a game-clinching 72-yard touchdown catch in the Sun Devils' 19-7 win over Sacramento State.
But most importantly, the Buffs' defense will be out to eliminate explosive plays. Colorado has already yielded 15 plays of 20 yards or longer, including eight touchdown plays of 25 yards or longer.
"We have to fix the problem," Tucker said. "We're giving up yards and we're giving up points."
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Arizona State defense vs. Colorado's Shenault. The CU junior has been the focus of every defense thus far, but he has still come up with game-changing plays. If ASU overloads too much on Shenault, it should open the door for CU's other playmakers. Â
KEEP AN EYE ON: Colorado's offensive line. If the Buffs can get a push early and establish a running game, it will allow Montez to get into rhythm in the passing game and utilize all of his weapons.
THE SERIES: The Sun Devils lead the all-time series 8-2, including a 5-0 edge in Tempe.
NUTS AND BOLTS:
Kickoff: 8:10 p.m., Sun Devil Stadium (55,000).
Broadcast: Pac-12 Network will carry the game with Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth and Lewis Johnson. 93.7 FM and AM 760 will carry the radio broadcast with Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth and Bobby Pesavento on the sidelines.
In-game live blog, stats: A live in-game blog as well as continually updated statistics will be available on www.CUBuffs.com
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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