Boulder – Clint O’Neal took a moment to think back.
Just a few days earlier, the Colorado senior offensive lineman said, the similarities hit him. This season’s offensive line, which has opened holes for tailback Hugh Charles and closed them to defenders rushing quarterback Joel Klatt, appeared very much like the 2001 line, which blew open holes for running back Chris Brown and closed out defenders rushing quarterbacks Craig Ochs and Bobby Pesavento.
“The one thing I see that’s similar is we just go out there and have fun and play,” O’Neal said. “That line in ’01, they did a tremendous job of having a great time and blowing people off the ball. I’m seeing lots and lots of glimpses of that right now.”
O’Neal’s play is a big reason.
The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder from Weatherford, Texas, is playing the best football of his career as the leader on an offensive line that is on pace to give up only 14.6 sacks. In 1991, the Buffs allowed 14, but more than that every season since.
“It’s been a whole different level for (O’Neal) this year,” coach Gary Barnett said. “He’s played really well.”
O’Neal has played the most snaps through three games (219) of CU linemen. He leads the unit in knockdown blocks with seven and has not allowed a sack.
“To tell you the truth, I’m actually exceeding expectations,” O’Neal said. “I never figured I would be on this progression I’m on right now.”
But, he said, he could finally understand what coaches had been trying to teach him in the second half of the 2004 season. Coaches harped on him to clean up his technique and display more fire coming off the ball. He has done so. He also spent this past summer picking up small bits of advice working with former Broncos tackle Blake Brockermeyer in Texas.
O’Neal said Brockermeyer’s tutelage “taught me a few tricks that helped me along the way, certain ways to finish people.”
But he gives the bulk of the credit of his improvement to offensive line coach Dave Borbely.
“Prior to getting here, I didn’t know what I was doing,” O’Neal said. “With him under my belt, he’s taught me a lot. That’s really helped.”
Borbely likes what he has seen from O’Neal this season, but like any coach, he is pressing for more.
“He’s playing the way I expect a senior to play, but I don’t think he’s playing as well as he can,” Borbely said. “I think we scratched the surface, but I think there’s a lot more in there.”
It’s unusual for an offensive line to get praised in the week after the offense scores just three points, but Barnett took time out to do just that this week during his Tuesday news conference. In the heat and humidity of South Florida, CU had just two offensive line substitutes to start the game, and because of injuries had no substitutes left by game’s end.
“I’ve done this for 24 years, and this is probably the most courageous group of kids that I’ve ever coached,” Borbely said. “There’s seven of them at practice. We were down to five in the game. I told them I wasn’t happy with the loss, but I was proud of their effort. I love working with them.”
Colorado vs. Okla. State
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado (2-1): Cornerback Lorenzo Sims figures to be matched up much of the time against the Cowboys’ best wideout, D’Juan Woods. Sims leads the Buffs in passes broken up with seven and also has an interception. CU’s secondary will be tested by the wide-open, no-huddle Cowboys offense. Linebacker Thaddaeus Washington and others will be counted on to contain Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid, should he decide to scramble. Washington has battled nagging injuries and has a foot ailment, but leads the team in tackles with 26.
Oklahoma State (3-0): Quarterback Bobby Reid is starting his second game, his first against Big 12 competition. His stats have been average – 13-of-33 for 217 yards and one touchdown – but coach Mike Gundy insists those numbers will improve as Reid gets more comfortable. Effective running from redshirt freshman tailback Mike Hamilton (50 carries, 246 yards) will help ease the transition for Reid, who not only was the backup quarterback early this season but played some wide receiver.
KEY STAT
10 – Colorado has won 10 of its past 12 meetings against Oklahoma State.
KEY FOR COLORADO
Red zone touchdowns. The Buffs’ sluggish offense was not able to convert two chances inside the Miami 20-yard line. That won’t do as they move forward. CU needs touchdowns, no matter where they come from on the field. Only Oklahoma State (six) and Nebraska (three) have scored fewer offensive touchdowns than CU (seven) in nonconference play.
KEY FOR OKLAHOMA STATE
Poise. The Cowboys are young, which means they make costly mistakes typical of young teams. If OSU responds well to adversity, the energy and emotion of its home field could be enough.
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
