Tuesday Buffs Bits: CU's Shenault Has Huskers' Full Attention

BOULDER — Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. got his first taste last Friday of what his season is going to be like.

The preseason All-American never made a move against Colorado State when he wasn't shadowed by a Ram. Wherever Shenault lined up — in the slot, out wide, as an H-back/tight end or in the backfield — the CSU defense was calling his number and pointing out his location.

Not that it stopped Shenault. He still caught three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed three times for 35 yards, including a 23-yard run and a key fourth-down conversion.

Still, he admits the extra attention is a little frustrating — but it also opens up opportunities for his teammates.

"I'm learning how to deal with it," Shenault said Tuesday morning. "I just have to keep my head on the bigger picture. If we're winning and the team is doing everything right, then we're good … It definitely opens it up (for teammates). It's good when every guy can come in and do their part and do their job."

Shenault will no doubt see more of the same Saturday when Nebraska pays a visit to Folsom Field for a 1:30 p.m. game (Fox). Shenault had a terrific game a year ago against NU — 10 catches for 177 yards and the game-winning 40-yard touchdown pass — and the Huskers have made it very clear they don't plan on the CU junior enjoying a repeat performance.

"It's Where's Waldo, right?" Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander told the Lincoln Star-Journal on Tuesday. "You've got to know where that cat's at. And just because you know where he's at doesn't mean you know what's going to go on. But you always have to understand where he's at, and how we can work our calls to benefit us when he's in the slot, when he's at X, when he's in the backfield, when he's at tight end. But we've got to know where he's at."

The Buffs no doubt have come up with a variety of ways to utilize Shenault's rare talents. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, he is a difficult matchup for a cornerback — but he also has excellent speed, making him a nightmare for linebackers when he moves to the tight end spot. He is also exceptionally strong, making it hard for one defender to bring him down.

The Cornhuskers plan on making sure they know everywhere Shenault goes Saturday.

"Know where he's at at all times," defensive backs coach Travis Fisher said. "Know if he's on the field. Know if he's off the field. Know everything about him. First name, last name. Where he went to high school. Know everything about him. What does he like to eat? Know everything about him."

MISTAKE-FREE BALL: Colorado was one of just three teams in the nation last week to have no offensive turnovers, allow no sacks and be called for five or fewer penalties (the Buffs drew just four flags). The other two were Kansas State and Rice.

Only 11 teams in the nation did not allow a sack or commit a turnover, and those teams were 10-1.

MONTEZ ON 'CLEAN' GAME: CU quarterback Steven Montez was no doubt appreciative of not being sacked against the Rams.

"First of all, I've got to give credit to the big guys up front," Montez said. "I mean, they did a phenomenal job on Friday, protecting me and doing good things not only in the run game, but also in the pass protection game. They played their butts off. I think it's also just

a mixture of me getting the ball out a little bit quicker and just kind of getting into those reads a little faster."

Montez will no doubt be hoping for more of the same this weekend — and not a repeat of last year's game in Lincoln, when he endured seven sacks by the Huskers.

IMPROVING COMMUNICATION A KEY: CU safety Mikial Onu, who had two interceptions against CSU, said the secondary is working on communication this week.

"We've just got to get used to communicating back there and getting comfortable with each other," he said.

Indeed, the Buffs had lots of unfamiliar faces in the secondary in the game. Onu is a grad transfer from SMU, fellow safety Aaron Maddox was making his first start and Mekhi Blackmon started just a couple of games at the close of last season. The only returning vet in the bunch was cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr.

"Next to physicality, communication is probably the second most important thing for us to improve on," Onu said. "When games are going fast you have to be able to look for calls and try to listen, even though it's kind of loud sometimes. And that'll get better with time. We definitely harped on that this week and I think we'll see an improvement in this game."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu