Boulder – Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt and offensive coordinator Shawn Watson call them “route pictures.”
They are developed on the field and take three or four seconds for completion.
They are the receivers’ routes against whichever coverage the defense shows. The more time Klatt has, the more time the receivers have to find openings. The more time the receivers have to find openings, the higher the likelihood of a successful passing play.
On Oct. 15, in Colorado’s first meeting against Texas, CU’s route pictures rarely got developed. For the most part, they were downright blurry.
Texas defensive linemen plowed through the Buffs’ offensive line and pummeled Klatt before he could get a good read on what was going on downfield. The Longhorns didn’t have any sacks, but had hurries. Lots of them.
Klatt was on his back much of the day, something CU offensive linemen have taken personally when planning for Saturday’s rematch in the Big 12 championship. If Colorado is to have a shot at scoring enough points to upset the heavily favored Longhorns, protecting its quarterback is atop the priority list.
“We definitely have to keep hands off Klatt,” tackle Tyler Polumbus said. “We’ve got to give that guy some time. When he’s got time, there’s no one better than him.”
Players and coaches stress it’s not as difficult a fix as it might seem.
“I think just another beat,” Klatt said. “Just another beat to get the ball out so that our pictures develop in terms of route concepts. If we can do that, then it really doesn’t matter how much I get hit.”
Said coach Gary Barnett: “You’ve just got to try to minimize the numbers. Most of those are just holding your block a second longer. Most of those were: get blocked, get blocked, get off and make the hit. It’s got to be: get blocked, get blocked, get blocked, and not quite make the hit. It’s just that simple.”
Texas wanted Klatt to feel as much heat as possible, and the Longhorns did so without much blitzing.
“They let their front four get after your offensive line,” Klatt said. “They do a great job because they are big and they’re athletic and fast. They do a great job up front.”
Klatt finished 19-of-39 for 189 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His first scoring pass came late in the second quarter, closing a 35-3 Texas lead to 35-10 in what turned into a 42-17 loss.
“During all of his passes, when he dropped back he was getting hit by somebody,” Texas safety Michael Huff said. “That’s the main thing, just hit him on every pass.”
Barnett was steamed at some of the hits Klatt took, believing at least a handful might have been roughing the passer. Texas was flagged for one roughing- the-passer call, a 15-yard personal foul on defensive end Tim Crowder during Colorado’s second drive.
But Klatt stopped short of saying Texas put more hits on him than any other team. He included Miami’s defense in the conversation.
But dwelling on it or complaining about it is out, he said.
“I’ve been hit a lot over the last three years,” the senior said. “If I let those types of things get to me, our offense isn’t going to be as efficient. I’m just going to stand in the pocket. Anyone who has ever stood in the pocket is going to take a few licks. You just got to stand there and get the ball down the field.
“Week in and week out, you’re going to get hit. If you’re focused on that, then your focus is in the wrong spot.”
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
