Colorado University Athletics
Improved Buffs Pass Rush Ready For Test At Arizona
October 17, 2024 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — After a slow start, the Colorado Buffaloes' pass rush has picked up steam over the last couple of weeks.
The Buffs had just five sacks in their first four games. But they have posted nine over the last two weeks — a good sign as CU heads to Arizona this weekend for a 2 p.m. (MT) matchup with the Wildcats (FOX).
Ten different Buffs have recorded at least one sack this season, a testament to the depth of Colorado's front seven. Redshirt freshman Taje McCoy leads the team with three while BJ Green II and Dayon Hayes each have a pair.
Green ended a five-game sackless streak last weekend with a pair in CU's 31-28 loss to Kansas State.
"We just trust our training, trust our teachings," Green said. "They (sacks) come in splashes and the dam broke. So now it's really open season, just a race to the quarterback at this point."
Green's effort came after he spent the bye week studying film to help pinpoint why he had gone five games without a sack.
"All I did in the bye week was watch the first five games and self reflect on how I can correct certain things," Green said. "I got prepared for that, and then that's what showed up on Saturday. I feel like I had a good game, but that was my standard."
Defensive coordinator Rob Livingston's scheme has brought pressure on the quarterback from nearly every position on the field. Along with pressure from the edge rushers, safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig has a sack, as do inside linebackers LaVonta Bentley and Nikhai Hill-Green.
CU's improved pass rush will be critical this week against Arizona and quarterback Noah Fifita. The Wildcats have allowed just six sacks this year but Fifita has been pressured into mistakes — he has thrown nine interceptions in six games.
"They're gonna drop back and they're gonna throw the ball," Green said. "He's a really good football player. We've got to have the same approach."
McCoy has been a third down rush specialist, collecting his three sacks while playing just 75 snaps in six games.
"He reminds me of myself my freshman year," Green said. "Having those third down opportunities, seeing him flash like that is reminiscent of how I got started."
In giving up just six sacks this season, the Wildcats have been able to depend on Fifita's ability to extend plays. While he is by no means a big running threat — just 22 rushing attempts this year — he has displayed good scrambling ability that allows his receivers extra time to get open.
But the Buffs can't solely concentrate on Fifita. The Wildcats are averaging a respectable 141 yards per game on the ground, led by Quali Conley's 458 yards and six touchdowns on 82 carries. If the Buffs let the Wildcats get their ground game going, it will make stopping the pass even more difficult.
That means coming up with run stops on first down.
"We have to earn the right to pass rush," Green said. "When it comes time for us to show up and it's third and long or second and long, we'll be there."
