Buffs Defense Takes Aim At Reducing Explosive Plays

BOULDER — In the immediate weeks following last December's Alamo Bowl, Colorado coach Karl Dorrell spent many of his waking moments dissecting what had gone wrong for the Buffaloes in their 55-23 loss to Texas.

There were plenty of things for Dorrell to consider. In what he called a "measuring stick" game, the Buffs came up short in a number of areas.

But perhaps none were as glaring as the explosive plays CU's defense yielded against the Longhorns. By game's end, Texas had racked up 13 explosive plays (20 yards or longer) for a total of 458 yards and four touchdowns.

That no doubt had to change — and reducing those explosive plays will be a critical priority for the Buffs and new defensive coordinator Chris Wilson when CU opens its first spring ball session under Dorrell next Monday.

Wilson, who last season coached CU's defensive line, was promoted to defensive coordinator in late January. A veteran defensive coach in his second go-round at Colorado, one of his primary goals will be to make sure the defense is taking advantage of CU's best players at every possible moment while also making it easier for young players to comprehend the system and compete right away.

"We have a plan and it's built around our players," Wilson said in a Thursday meeting with the media. "The things that they can do well and then being complementary enough where it's difficult for offenses but simple for us. We're big on helping guys understand concepts. We have a plan going forward that is player-based."

Colorado's defense did have some strong points last season. In the regular season, CU was among the national leaders in fourth- and third-down stops and tackles for loss.

Now, the Buffs must reduce those game-changing moments. The key, Wilson said, is evaluating and identifying CU's best defensive players — then making sure they are given the opportunity to succeed at every possible juncture.

"That's the thing that separates good teams from average teams," Wilson said. "You're always trying to create atmospheres to keep your best players on the field. When your best players play well, typically you have a really good chance of winning."

Earlier this year, Dorrell said the new defensive scheme would be more "player friendly," a system that will ensure younger players have the opportunity to compete right away. That improves depth, increases competition and enhances player development.

"You've seen some of the top organizations do it," Wilson said. "They have systems that are friendly that allow these guys to come in and contribute. That's when you start developing the bottom of your roster. When you can develop the bottom of your roster there's not a ton of drop-off and it creates a ton of competition. That's our ultimate goal every week."

The Buffs have a solid core of returning starters and veterans with experience on defense. The group includes linebackers Carson Wells and Nate Landman, defensive lineman Terrance Lang and Jalen Sami, and defensive backs Christian Gonzalez, Isaiah Lewis and Mekhi Blackmon.

But Colorado also has a host of returnees with some experience and some key newcomers as well. Dorrell and Wilson are adamant that developing those younger players is critical to CU's fortunes not only next fall, but for the long term as well.

"I have to do a great job of developing the guys, especially the young guys," Wilson said. "We want an atmosphere of creating competition. These systems have to be friendly enough where a young man who's fresh out of high school can come in and have an opportunity to compete. That definitely helps the bottom of your roster."

Now, the Buffs must address the fundamentals of situational football. Get stops on first down, force opponents into second- and third-and-long situations — and reduce those explosive plays.

"Schemes are predicated off of players," Wilson said. "I'm not married to any systems. I'm married to players. If all the systems were great, everybody would call the same plays all the time. It comes down to doing what our guys can do. My biggest deal is to make sure I do a great job of identifying and evaluating our best players."

Then the Buffs can address some of the issues from last season.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu