Buffs Continue to Play Well, Roll Off Two Wins in a Row
by Bob_Bell on Nov 21, 2010 11:32 AM MST
in Buffaloes Football Season
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Exiting Folsom Field Saturday, many thoughts entered my mind as the Colorado Buffaloes beat the Kansas State Wildcats 44-36. First and foremost, congratulations to the seniors for stepping up and leading the team to victory. Can't say enough about QB Cody Hawkins (202 yards, 3 scores), WR Scotty McKnight (74 yards, 2 scores), OT Nate Solder (RB Rodney Stewart had 195 yards), CB Jimmy Smith, CB Jalil Brown, LB BJ Beatty and all the other seniors who performed well yesterday. That is how seniors are supposed to go out and play on senior day.
But the overwhelming thought leaving the Big 12 home finale was the games against Texas Tech, Baylor and Kansas. I look at how the Buffs are playing now and start to wonder if a coaching move at the beginning of the season would have this team sitting at 7 or even 8 wins right now, 5-2 in conference play going into Nebraska. The Buffs left some wins out there this year considering how they are playing football right now. Saturday against Kansas State, CU dominated the game and if wasn't for a few, dare I say, lucky fourth down conversions, the contest would have been a blow out. Kansas State stayed in the game with a few big plays here and there but Colorado dominated the Wildcats' defense and stopped one of the country's best running backs in Daniel Thomas, holding him to just 58 yards.
More impressive to me is looking at how this team has changed in three categories: penalties, turnovers and third down conversions. Colorado struggled mightily in those three categories under Dan Hawkins. Yesterday, the Buffs had no turnovers, converted on 9-14 third downs and were flagged only twice for five yards. They only allowed one fluke sack, converted all four red zone attempts into touchdowns and have shown great offensive balance.
Right now, the Buffs are an effective and efficient football team, running the ball well on offense and stopping the run extremely well on defense.
One has to wonder.
Now on to some quick hitting thoughts after the jump...
-Interim coach Brian Cabral has made a statement and everyone will have to take notice. If he can go into Lincoln and win, it will be hard not to give him the job. That being said, if the Buffs want to bring in another head coach, hopefully they can lock up Cabral as the defensive coordinator. What he has done with this team over the last two weeks has been special. Love the energy, love the discipline.
-Keeping with the coaches, offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau might need to be on the keeper list as well. What I saw yesterday was some exceptional play calling. A little of the Boise State we thought we would get with Dan Hawkins was on display yesterday. After a Kansas State fumble, Kiesau dialed up a halfback pass - Rodney Stewart to Toney Clemons - for a 22 yard score to give the Buffs a 16-14 lead and all the momentum. The Buffs also introduced the Wildcat with WR/RB Will Jefferson as the point person. Two times yesterday, the wildcat with Jefferson running produced the bulk of Jefferson's 73 yards rushing on five carries. We also saw Kiesau draw up a picture perfect play call on a fade route from Cody Hawkins to Paul Richardson. For the first time in many years, it looks like the Buffs have control over the defense and the defense is confused by the game planning. Like I said above, this is a balanced offense (225 yards passing, 251 yards rushing) which is keeping the defense on it's heels.
-It's clear that injuries have caused some issues covering the middle of the field on defense. Kansas State, a non throwing team, was able to work the middle of the field. A ton of youth & inexperience in the middle of the field in Terrel Smith, Deji Olatoye, Ray Polk, Liloa Nobriga, Derrick Webb. What didn't help the youth trying to cover the receivers was a lack of a pass rush for a large part of the fourth quarter.
-DT Will Perciak played a heck of a game: 8 tackles, two for loss. He was a big reason for Daniel Thomas having his lowest output game of the year with just 58 yards. Also have to mention DE Josh Hartigan who had three sacks including the game ending sack on fourth down.
-The player's energy level also says something. At times yesterday, you saw the defense dancing on the field, getting the crowd pumped up, high fiving each other. Paul Richardson receiving high fives by all of his teammates after a big play. Rodney Stewart running like a crazy man down field after he threw a touchdown pass, Toney Clemons and Will Jefferson joking with each other. This team is having fun, playing loose and enjoying football. I have been to a lot of games the last five years and yesterday was the most energy I have seen from the players.
-Rodney Stewart continues to stake his claim for one of the first team All Big 12 running back spots. It is hard for me to name another Big 12 player more important to his team than Rodney Stewart is to the Buffs. With his 195 yards yesterday, Stewart has 1,230 yards on the year, good for 13th in the nation, four yards ahead of KSU's Thomas. Stewart also has 271 yards receiving to Thomas' 163. RB Kendall Hunter has probably locked up one of the first team All Big 12 spots, it will be hard for Stewart to get the nod over Thomas and DeMarco Murray of Oklahoma but he is definitely in the discussion.
-Over the last two weeks, Iowa State and Kansas State, two running teams, have run the ball 64 times for just 95 yards an average of 1.4 per carry. Next week, the Buffs play a run oriented Nebraska team with their playmaker in QB Taylor Martinez battling a gimpy ankle. That being said, the Huskers might not be full strength in the running department. Martinez has only attempted more than 17 passes in a game twice this year and has a 59.5% completion percentage. The last three weeks, Nebraska has beat Iowa State by just one point (Colorado dismantled Iowa State), only scored 20 against a bad Kansas team and scored 6 points against Texas A&M producing just 306 yards of offense. Of course Nebraska's defense is extremely good and will be tough to crack but if the CU defense can continue to dominate against the opposition's running game, the Buffs might be able to keep this one close going into the fourth quarter.
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Start the campaign today for Black Friday in Lincoln!
Buffs are 2-0 in the throwback Blacks under Cabral.
There’s only one true Blackshirt team, and they don’t reside in Lincoln.
Friday is Black Friday, ironically.
This team has embraced the past and the spirit of the ’90 championship team and should honor them one more time. Take the home jerseys to Lincoln, pair with the black pants, and send the Huskers to the Big 10 with a big Black Eye and a reminder of who the real Blackshirts are!
Move over Malzahn.
I’m completely on board with keeping Kiesau. I’m not certain what the dynamic was pre-Cabral, but we are witnessing genius in the making now that the cuffs are off.
It’s obvious that Kiesau remaining will depend on the head coach hire. I’m betting if Bellotti is the selection, Kiesau remains as OC. They have worked together previously. We could have our own Chip Kelly in the making. Bellotti HC – Kiesau OC – Cabral DC
by Florida Buffalo on Nov 21, 2010 12:01 PM MST reply actions
Probably for the best
Hiring a coach w/ CU ties is the right move right now.
EB as HC
Cabral as DC/Asst. HC.
by BuffulanceMan on Nov 21, 2010 1:15 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Yep. Time to move on to the next possibility.
Precisely why AD’s have a top 5. It’s good that Bohn went after him. It shows how important this job is and what type of coach we can and should expect. Whether you like him or not, he is on the top of most AD’s programs west of the Mississippi for a reason. No coach can match his credentials in the PAC12. He would have made CU an instant success in a division ripe with opportunity. We will face him either as a division or conference foe in the near future. My guess is he will wind up at Ucla following ‘11. With that, it’s time to move on to #2.
It’s been fascinating to follow the events of the last few weeks. Of particular interest have been the rumors around Coach Miles. When he was first brought up and discussed, I was extremely skeptical. I have sense changed my opinion and have become optimistic about the possibility. Bohn should target Coach Miles until he says “no”.
EB is not on the A list. His college coaching credentials can’t hold a candle to Bellotti, Miles or Cabral for that matter. If CU gets down to EB, we are going to be the WSU of the south division for a number of years.
Miles, Hoke, Calhoun, Sumlin (Minnesota bound) or Kiesau.
by Florida Buffalo on Nov 21, 2010 7:43 PM MST up reply actions
EB has more experience than Brian Cabral.
Brian has done a masterful job but for god sake he has been a linebacker coach for 20 years. He has acknowledged the fact that he knows very little about the offense and has given the reins entirely to Kiesau. Brian hasn’t even been the coordinator for the defense which has been Ryan Collins job to date.
EB has coached at two division one schools, and is currently the assistant offensive coordinator for the Vikings. He was named one of the top recruiters in the country twice by Rivals.com and the number one recruiter in the country in 2005 by Sports Illustrated over Mack Brown and Pete Carroll. He knows how to recruit in the PAC 10. Ever heard of Maurice Jones Drew? This summer Lane Kiffin offered Bieniemy the Offensive coordinator job at USC because of his knowledge adept knowledge of the game and his recruiting prowess. Bieniemy will undoubtedly be a head coach at a division one school in the next 3 years.
The comment about CU being the next WSU with EB as coach is laughable at best. Paul Wulff the current head coach of WSU was picked up from Eastern Washington after spending 7 years at mighty Big Sky football powerhouse. I could totally see where you draw parallels between Wulff and EB.
Les Miles will never come to CU and who would really want him. Ask tiger fans about the wonderful coaching job he has done at LSU and they will point to all the great decisions he has made during crucial moments.
Shoulder to Shoulder
How many games has EB been a Head Coach at the collegiate level? How about high school?
He’s never even been a coordinator. At any level. With Brad Childress and Brett Favre battling on the sideline, how much “Assistant Head Coach Offense” is he really doing? He may have been a great recruiter five years ago. That’s a long time in college football. Not to mention that he was at Ucla at the time. It’s not exactly difficult to recruit for a LA school while in LA. The parallel is; if CU opts for EB, it is going to take more time than a coach that has recent experience in the region or a well known current coach. Both strikes against EB.
What was Ucla’s record vs. USC from ’03 – ’05?
DiStefano said it best; “A coach who is either successful now as a head coach or has recent coaching experience either with someone from the PAC12 or the Big12, somebody in a conference similar to, if not equal to, the conference that we’re joining”. Strike three.
by Florida Buffalo on Nov 21, 2010 9:23 PM MST up reply actions
The guy heads up all the O line schemes for the Vikings as the Assistant Head Coach Offense
5 years is nothing. If your a good recruiter your a good recruiter. College kids want to play in the NFL and if EB walks into a living room a few weeks removed from coaching Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre than he’s already got some attention. Maurice Jones
Drew was initially signed on by EB to come to CU before bolting to UCLA to follow EB so your argument that UCLA helped him is pretty week. He also recruited Brian Callhoun, a four star recruit, who later bolted for Wisconsin after EB left.
Bieniemy did a dam good job recruiting at UCLA but at the end of the day it was Karl Dorrell’s team. The Bruins certainly did not lose because of MJD or the running game.
In the end maybe your right we should hire a proven head coach from a division 1 school like we did with Dan Hawkins. That worked brilliantly.
WEAK!
Shoulder to Shoulder
Name one Head Coach in the last 20 years that has won a National Championship with a five year absence from collegiate football, has never been a Head Coach at any level and also happens to be a former player for the very same team.
I’ll save you the effort. There are none. The only one that even comes close is Steve Spurrier, but he was a Head Coach when he was hired.
So instead of casting the widest net possible, let’s look for a coach that has a connection to CU regardless of whether he has any experience or not. That way we can locate the best possible replacement and make an immediate impact in the PAC12.
Genius!
Look. You’re taking this a bit too far. I never said EB couldn’t do it. All I said is it’s going to take longer than I’m willing to wait. With the opportunity CU has at the door step right now, I don’t think he is the best hire.
Do you believe a high school kid in CA, or anywhere else for that matter, will know who EB is before Coach Miles? How about Coach Hoke?
By the way; Being in one of the best recruiting cities in the country certainly doesn’t hurt your recruiting abilities.
by Florida Buffalo on Nov 21, 2010 10:46 PM MST up reply actions
your kidding right!?
your telling me EB walks into a blue chip prospect rb’ house, after coaching one of the greatest player in the NFL, and that kid doesn’t know ho he is? but he’ll know hoke? his only claim to fame is rebuilding some team no one has heard of and almost beating TCU and Utah.
Who?
Who is the greatest player that EB coached? Favre or Peterson? Really? Peterson needed coaching? I don’t think so.
Yes. I’m saying a kid in southern cal will know both Miles and Hoke before EB.
by Florida Buffalo on Nov 22, 2010 9:00 AM MST up reply actions
To be fair of SDSU’s recruiting class of 14 only 2 had offers from BCS conference schools and in the case of 5 or 6 of them SDSU was their only offer. So I wouldn’t say Hoke has been lighting up the recruiting trail in SoCal.
In the case of Miles, the LSU name does about 95% of the work for his recruiting effort.
Neither of these guys will be the next CU head coach so its a mute point anyway.
Hoke.... chirp, chirp.
“Look Dad Brady Hoke is here!”
“Yeah son he was 34-38 at THE Ball State and he almost beat Utah this year”
“Sweet Dad!”
I can just hear the pin caps popping off.
Brady Hoke recruits JUCO and high school kids that would never make into CU. Miles is convincing the same ilk to sign on with the Tigers.
EB recruited MJD and Brian Calhoun, both blue chip recruits, to CU. MJD changed his destination as soon as EB left for UCLA.
Shoulder to Shoulder
You should do some more research.
LSU recruits what? Is that how he won the NC? Is that how he’s 10-1? Again, I didn’t say EB couldn’t recruit CA/LA. I’m saying he’s not the best choice for CU right now. I’m glad you’re not make the coaching decisions.
by Florida Buffalo on Nov 22, 2010 9:04 AM MST up reply actions
EB would hit the ground running
EB knows the issues surrounding CU, he knows the Alumni, he knows the boosters and, and he can recruit in the Big 12 and the PAC 10. Plus all those constituents, including coach Mac would back Eb in a heartbeat. I’m not making the coaching decisions but the Mike Bohn who has already contacted EB sure as hell is.
Miles won despite himself. Ask any tiger fan. Gameday guys even point out the 10-1 record this year is anything but respectable. Plus Miles isn’t walking away from $3.5 mil to make 2 million, without being able to take any of his staff, at CU unless he gets fired.
Shoulder to Shoulder
I’ll continue to support CU whether it’s EB, Miles, Hoke or anyone else.
You think EB is ready even though he has no head coaching or coordinator experience at any level. I don’t. I don’t think being named the best recruiter in the country in ‘05 is a good reason to hand him the keys. I don’t dislike EB. I just wish he had more experience.
We are going to have to trust that the decisions makers get this one right. I’m tired of losing, missing bowl games and not playing for division, conference or national titles.
As for the “gameday guys”, I don’t pay much attention to what Corso, Herbstreet, Holtz or May have to say. Ten wins is ten wins. LSU will finish 11-1 and play in a high profile bowl game with a big payout.
As crazy as he is and since Bellotti said “no”, I would take Miles experience over anyone else right now. Just leave the hat in Baton Rouge.
by Florida Buffalo on Nov 22, 2010 9:53 AM MST up reply actions
Agreed buddy
I went to school at CU and I grew up in CO so regardless I will back whomever they hire. I just think EB is ready and will be an excellent coach for an NCAA/NFL team in the near future.
The fact that Childress was fired today adds a little extra intrigue.
GO BUFFS!
Shoulder to Shoulder
I didn't like Belotti
as an option. I am on board with EB as head coach and Cabral as DC. Put McCartney in some sort of Director to the football team capacity to mentor EB. Think about those two recruiting. . . . .Make this happen Bohn and I’ll stop wishing you leave for the Kansas AD job.
Cantal is making a case
To remain as HC. As much as I love and respect EB and want him to stay with the Colorado program, the way the players have responded to Cabral makes me interested in handing the baton to him.
agreed for the most part
im a little torn however, i like Cabral like his attitude but its only been 2 games. if he beats the fuskers, ill eat my words
If Cabral can beat a 9-2 Husker team
with a 5-6 CU team which he inherited at 3-6, it would be the most amazing performance by an interim head coach… EVER?
And we would beat ’Cuse in the Pinstripe Bowl.
by BuffulanceMan on Nov 22, 2010 8:31 AM MST up reply actions
Maybe
But I would argue that CU was better than their 3-6 record and NU isn’t as good as their 9-2 record
True
I think what BC has done, is to show that a guy who bleeds CU can get these guys to play at a level they were incapable of before. However, play calling is much, much better now, too.
I expect a different road team than the one we’ve seen previously against Cal, MU, and OU. I’d be surprised if we don’t put up 30, truthfully. Wish we had a deeper D, tho, b/c our guys look so fast early on and tend to slow down every 4th quarter.
by BuffulanceMan on Nov 22, 2010 9:09 AM MST up reply actions
Rumors all over the place
Bo and Carl Pelini suspended for the CU game?
Taylor Martinez quits the team?
Who knows if it’s true, but it sure looks like things are unraveling in Licoln at least a little bit right when we’re playing our best football in years. I can’t wait for gameday.
whoa, hadn't heard about the suspensions
this could be even more interesting than originally expected!
by highlandsbuff on Nov 21, 2010 9:43 PM MST up reply actions
Agree
Can’t stand the whining for the balance of eternity of “well if we had Taylor” or “the refs screwed us.”
Score more points. Period.
Find a way. Excuses are for losers.
Husker nation is in a tailspin this morning.
Who knows?
Things are looking interesting. Last I heard is that Martinez did not quit the team. You never know how teams react to situations. Look how Auburn won handliy after the allegations against Can Newton came out. Either way, NU will have to play well to win the game this Friday.
Okay, so the refs were questionable Sat night. The NU offense, or lack of, is what ultimately, lost the game, not the refs.
And Eforce, please don’t point too many fingers at NU fans for making excuses for losing. If i recall, there was some excuses being made by CU fans about the condition of the field in the infamous 5th down game against Missouri. I think a majority of NU fans, me included, will admit we just got beat plain and simple last Sat night.
Really?
5th Down BS? Really? That’s what you’re saying? You realize the 5th dows occured… in 1990, right? That’s 20 years ago. TWENTY years = 1 score and 2 decades.
Obviously you guys got hosed, plain and simple. But don’t go bringing up the effing “5th Down” b/c you’re mad your team lost due to the refs. If you really should have won, you’ll prove it on Friday by showing a 5-6 Buff team how a mighty 9-3 Nebraska team plays football. But if you lose (which I fully expect will happen), those 16 peanalties will not mean a thing except your team sucks.
by BuffulanceMan on Nov 22, 2010 9:19 AM MST up reply actions
sorry
or 2 decades. not and. that’s just wrong.
by BuffulanceMan on Nov 22, 2010 9:20 AM MST up reply actions
and 9-2, not 9-3
i guess I’m already assuming a win. :)
by BuffulanceMan on Nov 22, 2010 9:21 AM MST up reply actions
it actually was kind of a compliment
CU fans are SO classy, the last time we complained about a game was 20 YEARS AGO!
Besides, we “won” that game!
Actually...
I’m friends with many CU fans. They have had their not so justified whiny moments in the last ten years. But haven’t we all?
Nope, it was a beat down
Hate to burst your bubble but NU knew we had just got our butts handed to us. It happens. And no crying but laughing at how bad it continued to get.
A couple points...
You’re right The 5th down game was 20 years ago. So what. My point is that some CU fans justified the extra down because of the field condition. But it could be said no 5th down, no win. No win equals no national championship. That’’s for another discussion.
Did i say I was mad at the refs? Please re-read my post. I ultimately blamed the loss on NU’s lack of offense.
I will be the first to admit that this NU team is struggling. They have never deserved their national ranking they have head this year. Blame that on the bias of the national media. I know this team is nothing like the teams from the last 90’s. NU is a mediocre team in a mediocre conference.
For CU fans to say NU sucks is like the pot calling the kettle black.
Jesus, Dude.
You realize you’re defending your comments that CU fans whined about a game that occured 20 years ago to somehow justify NU fan’s response to the ATM game. Think about that. It’s almost as bad as a Bears fan bringing up The Sneaker Game. Not quite, but you’re on your way.
Yes, I’m sorry, you’re not mad at the refs. You simply like to bring up the 5th down game for shits and grins. Totally understandable.
And to use some of your own logic – Did I say NU sucked? Please re-read my post. I said “if your lose… your team sucks”. So, your team does not suck. But, if you lose to sucky Colorado, you most suredly will.
Much love!
by BuffulanceMan on Nov 22, 2010 10:12 AM MST up reply actions
Let me put it this way.....
You’re reading this the wrong way. My point about 5th down was just an example about whiny fans. I don’t care about that game. It’s in the past. Just like NU’s past glory. It doesn’t do any good to dwell on it. Any NU you fans still dwelling on the refs need to move on.
The only thing counts is this Friday;‘s game. just like last Saturday’s game with A & M was the only one that mattered. And the week before that. If NU gets t play after this Saturday then that is the game that will matter.
Am I getting through to you?
And in an in-direct way , you did say NU sucked. You are expecting a CU win so logic dictates you are implying NU sucks. That’s okay. I’m use to it. Having haters is what makes sports so fun.
To show I’m not a poor sport, I am watching the game with MY CU friends. Loser picks up the bar tab. Should CU win, I’ll drink a shot or preferred beer with you in mind. My way of saying congrats.
For the record
I listened to the NU broadcast on Saturday. It was the most “homer” broadcast I’ve ever heard in almost 40 years. The color commentator was losing his mind about how bad the calls were. At least when our radio guys lose their minds, like Zim against KU, we point the finger at ourselves.
My original point was that with this being the last game in ,……forever….. I don’t want to listen to all my Husker friends and family bring up every excuse under the sun about why it happened.
The one thing I continually bring up in this rivalry is Henry’s school record 57 yarder that y’all needed to beat us in 08. The Buffs have outplayed you two of the last three years and our program has been “burned to the ground.”
Well.....
Sorry, beating NU now or in the last couple of years is not the same as beating them in the late mid to late 1990’s. Yeah, they have been ranked high recently but blame that on the national media being nostalgic for the glory days of NU football.
Our program was also “burned to the ground” by Callahan. We are oh so slightly starting to recover with Pelini despite his recent outburst. NU may never get back to it’s former past but there is nothing I can do as a fan.
And maybe CU did outplay NU the last two out off three games. We won two out of those three games. In the end, it’s scoreboard that matters. I’m sure CU has been on the receiving end of wins when they have been outplayed.
Sure there has been some whining from NU about the reffing but I think the national media is starting to run with it and make it bigger then it really is. Either way, it too shall pass.
And please do be so quick to judge your Husker friends and family about their supposed whining. If they do whine, take my advice and just ignore them. I have many CU friends who I can have reasonable discussions with. We often disagree but I like talking to them because they are fair. I no longer watch or talk football with those CU friends who refuse to be “civil” or honest when it comes to anything about NU- CU games or NU football in general. I suggest you d the same with your NU friends.
haha, not really
lots of talk on Corn Nation and other sports forums about it, but nothing concrete obviously. I’m sure if the Pelini’s meet with the NU chancellor today there will be some sort of announcement pretty soon after.
Cool, thanks
That corn nation lead is enough for me
by Ash Jackson on Nov 22, 2010 10:32 AM MST up reply actions
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