Takeaways Continue To Be Critical Element For Buffs Defense

BOULDER — While the Colorado Buffaloes had just one takeaway in their last game, it proved to be a game changer.

With just more than 10 minutes to play and the Buffs tied with Arizona State, 31-31, CU junior safety Derrion Rakestraw ended a Sun Devils drive with an interception at the Colorado 24-yard line.

It was the last time ASU crossed the 50-yard line. Two possessions later, the 3-1 Buffs drove for the game-winning field goal and then came up with one last defensive stand to preserve a 34-31 victory.

"The interception is what changes the game for us," defensive coordinator Tyson Summers said this week. "It shows him trying to continue to be consistent and understanding the calls. It's a great example of all the guys on our defense right now that are having to step up in the next man up role. We had a lot of guys do that, and he was the best example for us in that game."

It is also an example of Colorado's continued penchant for coming up with key defensive takeaways at critical moments. Heading into a bye weekend, the Buffs are still tied for first in the nation in defensive takeaways with 11 — and virtually every one of them has been critical in the game.

Senior safety Mikial Onu has been particularly adept in that area. With a team-leading three interceptions and two forced fumbles, he is tied for the nation's lead in forced turnovers and tied for third in interceptions per game. Fellow safety Aaron Maddox also has a pair of forced fumbles while linebacker Nu'umotu Falo has three fumble recoveries, tying him for the nation's lead.

"A lot of it comes back to effort," Summers said. "We work on it every day, but it's an effort thing. You've seen Mikial and Aaron be really exceptional this year in being able to strip the ball and then you see NJ Falo with three fumble recoveries. He's one of the top guys in the country because he's an effort guy."

The takeaways have no doubt been crucial for the defense, as Colorado is still struggling to control opponents' explosive plays. But because CU has been able to end some potential scoring drives by the opponents — and then see the offense convert those takeaways into points — the Buffs have been in every game down the stretch.

"We talk about each takeaway potentially being worth 14 points — the seven we didn't give up and the seven we give our offense the opportunity to make," Summers said. "When you start seeing all those things and see them pay off in games, kids start believing and it turns into a bigger deal."

Summers' job as the defensive coordinator for first-year CU head coach Mel Tucker hasn't been an easy one. While he did inherit a handful of players with some decent Division I experience, it is overall a young and inexperienced defense. Throw in some injuries to key players against Arizona State — including starting defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson and cornerbacks Delrick Abrams Jr. and Chris Miller — and the Buffs' "next man up" mantra was sorely tested.

It is another reason the takeaways have been so critical.

"Even when we have everybody healthy, we're still a very inexperienced group," Summers said. "But we are a talented group, and talent and 'want to' give you the ability to get takeaways. They have no doubt been big for us this year."

Of course, that inexperience has also lent itself to some big plays by opposing offenses. CU has yielded nine touchdowns of 25 yards or longer this year — but six of those big plays have come in the first half.

Thus, the Buffs have given up six points in the third quarter all year.

"A lot of it comes down to eye discipline and awareness," Summers said. "Awareness of a route, awareness of a formation, awareness of a split. What you see is us giving up explosive plays, particularly early on. That's kind of been our MO — give up an explosive play the first two or three series and we put ourselves behind the eight ball. Then we come out in the second half, we make some adjustments, we settle down, we play well, we get takeaways and we at least give ourselves a chance to win games."

That has indeed been the pattern this year, and the Buffs are using their bye week to work on those big play issues. It's something that will be a key next week when they get back on the field Oct. 5 against Arizona (2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network) and quarterback Khalil Tate. In two games against Colorado (both UA wins), the Arizona star has completed 29 of 35 passes for 504 yards and six touchdowns while rushing 18 times for 342 yards and four scores — and seven of those touchdowns (four rushing, three passing) have come from at least 28 yards out.

PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs donned pads Wednesday morning for their second practice of the bye week.

"Really good competition," CU head coach Mel Tucker said. "We did some scout work, but a lot of it was good on good (No. 1 offense vs. No. 1 defense). And so it was very competitive when the guys were into it. We kept score and so that kind of juiced it up a little bit. … So it was a good day's work."

Tucker and his staff devised a scoring system during the practice with points for the offense and defense — and the losing unit had to run wind sprints. Wednesday, the defense ran at the end of practice.

"You always have to have competition and that's how you get better, and when you go good on good it's like steel sharpens steel," Tucker said. "Competition brings out the best."

The Buffs are also nursing a variety of injuries to several players, but Tucker said he wouldn't have an update on their status at least until later this week or early next week.

The Buffs will be on the practice field again on Thursday, then have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off before beginning preparation for the Oct. 5 Arizona game.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS: After four games, CU coaches' stats show inside linebacker Nate Landman as the team's clear leader in tackles with 49 this year, including 41 solo stops. Next on the list is safety Mikial Onu with 27 tackles (21 solo) … Mustafa Johnson is the Buffs' sack leader with three, followed by Terrance Lang and Alex Tchangam with two each … Colorado's tight ends have already accounted for 14 receptions, more than twice the number (6) from all of last season. Brady Russell leads the group with seven catches for 77 yards … Tony Brown is now Colorado's receptions leader for the season with 19 catches for 301 yards and four touchdowns.

COOPER SEMIFINALIST: Colorado senior safety Lucas Cooper is one of 185 national semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes individuals for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. CU has had one national winner of the award, Jim Hansen in 1992.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu