Boulder – While Colorado’s defense shuts down opponents and steals headlines, the offense has been able to escape attention and slowly work out its issues.
And the Buffs think they are closing in on the kind of offense they want to be.
“I firmly believe that this offense has a chance to be much better,” quarterback Joel Klatt said. “I think that what we’ve got to do is go out every week and fight the complacency. Go out and really work hard and beat those mistakes down, and eliminate those from our games. If we do that, I think you’ll see a very efficient offense.”
In the 34-0 victory Saturday against Oklahoma State, CU gained 381 yards. The running game racked up 213 yards, the first time the Buffs have run for more than 200 yards against a Big 12 team since rushing for 253 yards against Nebraska in 2002.
Klatt has thrown for 848 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions with a 62.7 percent completion rate.
“That’s really our goal every week,” Klatt said. “Especially from my seat, to just go out there, run an efficient huddle and try to put points on the board.”
Colorado is averaging 26.8 points per game, up from the 23.4 it averaged in 2004. But CU’s offense ranks near the bottom of the Big 12 in touchdowns scored with 10. Only Nebraska and Oklahoma State have scored fewer TDs, each with six.
Looking like Sproles
CU sophomore running back Hugh Charles is getting more comfortable every game in his first year as a starter, as evidenced by his 74-yard touchdown run against Oklahoma State. Charles’ game-breaking ability is starting to remind coach Gary Barnett of another powerful, pint-sized back – former Kansas State standout Darren Sproles, a rookie with the San Diego Chargers.
“Every time we give (the 5-foot-8, 185-pound Charles) the ball, I think he may take it all the way,” Barnett said. “He’s fast. If you’re going to play man-to-man and leave the middle open, that would be like playing Darren Sproles (5-6, 181) that way. Because if he gets a crease, no one’s going to catch him in the middle.”
Charles is second in the Big 12 in rushing with 420 yards.
Footnotes
Barnett said no matter what safety Dominique Brooks has told reporters, he has not “officially” cleared him to play Saturday against Texas A&M. Barnett said he has one more meeting with Brooks to determine his status, but added he expects the meeting to go well. … According to officials, 4,300 tickets remain for Saturday’s game.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
