Colorado University Athletics
BUFFS REMAIN FOCUSED DESPITE LOSING STREAK
BOULDER ?Immersed in a three-game losing streak and just three games remaining on its slate, the Colorado football team (3-6, 1-4 Big 12) returned to the practice field Monday evening with hopes of running the table to conclude the 2003 season and become bowl-eligible in the process.
While the Buffs’ offense had been carrying the squad through the first seven contests averaging nearly 28 points a game, in a strange turn of the events, the oft-maligned Colorado defense has been the hero of the past two games. After holding the top two scoring offenses in the nation to 34 (Oklahoma) and 26 (Texas Tech) points the past two weeks, the key to the remainder of the season may just lie in the hands of this surging defensive unit.
“Our attitude is a whole lot better right now,” said senior linebacker Sean Tufts. “We’re executing well and we are starting to take care of the little things. It’s frustrating and disappointing to keep losing these games, but we still have our heads up. I don’t think our confidence level is hurt at all.”
“The Texas Tech game was the most complete game on defense so far, but the offense just lost its confidence,” said head coach Gary Barnett. “Our older guys are seeing the ball and understanding things better, while the younger guys are growing up. Our defense is playing more together.”
After tallying a season-high six takeaways, including five interceptions at Texas Tech this past Saturday, the Buffs’ defense has recorded nine turnovers over the past two games " a glaring statistic because they only created six TOs through the first seven games. Defensive end Gabe Nyenhuis may hold the solution to winning the next three games. “After getting six turnovers at Texas Tech and losing the game, we just need to go out and get seven turnovers this weekend against Missouri,” he said.
Whether or not a seven-turnover performance is feasible against the No. 4-ranked team in the nation for turnover margin (Missouri), the Buffs’ defense knows that they will also face the nation’s No. 7-ranked rushing offense averaging just over 227 yards per game. In unusual fashion, the Tigers’ quarterback, Brad Smith, leads the ground attack with a 106.4 rushing average per game.
“We’re doing better as a unit, but we’ve got a big test coming up in Missouri,” Tufts said. “Their tailback (Zack Abron) is a great runner, but Brad Smith is the key guy. If we can control him, we’ve got a good shot at winning.”
And a win is crucial if Colorado wants to see the postseason this year, as the team is three wins away from the mandatory six-win season needed to be bowl-eligible " and there is only three games left on the schedule (vs. No. 22 Missouri, at Iowa State, vs. No. 19 Nebraska). Except for the pride issue, a bowl berth remains the lone goal for a 2003 season that opened with hopes of capturing a third consecutive Big 12 North title.
“The easiest way to get up for playing is to have goals,” said wide receiver Jeremy Bloom. “But right now we are running out of them. All we can do is put our heads down, go out and practice our hardest every day, and think of this as a three-game season.”
Monday Practice Notes: Barnett said tonight’s practice was sharp, even with the inclement weather conditions. “There was hail, lightning and thunder,” he said. “We had it all.”