Boulder – A 360-degree view of Colorado defensive end Abraham Wright:
The left tackle: “I have way more problems with him in practice than I do in games,” CU’s Tyler Polumbus said. “I’ve played Texas, Miami, all the best teams, and he’s definitely the best pass rusher for sure.”
The linebacker: “I’ve never seen him consistently blocked for a whole game,” CU’s Jordon Dizon said. “He might be blocked for a series, but then he’s going to come back the next series a lot stronger. You don’t ever have to worry when they’re running on Abe’s side. Abe is incredible.”
The cornerback: “He’s a ridiculous athlete,” CU’s Terry Washington said. “He was very good last year, but this year, I think he stepped his game up tremendously.”
The defensive line coach: “You want a tough guy, a guy that’s going to be physical, hold his gap, shed blocks and make tackles,” CU’s Romeo Bandison said. “Abe does all those things, but obviously his forte is getting off the ball and getting some pressure.”
The head coach: “Abe Wright is doing a great job,” Dan Hawkins said. “He’s probably been the best player.”
There’s little arguing Wright’s worth to the defense and the team this season. He puts pressure on and sacks the quarterback. The eye-opening thing is, he’s doing it at a rate no one has seen around the CU program in years.
Wright’s eight sacks lead the team, the Big 12 and are second in the nation. He is six shy of tying CU’s single-season record, set in 1985 by Dan McMillen. Breaking that mark has been Wright’s goal for two years running.
Not that he’s thinking about it.
“I wouldn’t say that it’s not in the back of my head, but at the same time I’m trying not to focus on that,” Wright said. “The minute I do that, I realize I do get out of my game. Because now, I’m trying to pass rush every play, and (the opponent) will gash us on a running play for 70 yards.”
His success has been one part physical ability, one part studying and one part coaches giving him the freedom to roam.
Wright is an intense studier of snap counts, offensive linemen and ball placement. Game video is his friend. Predictable centers help even more.
“When that quarterback’s foot goes up a lot of times during shotgun when you’re playing at home, the center’s head goes up – one-thousand-one – and the ball is snapped,” Wright said. “If I watch that in film and they do that repeatedly, in the game as soon as I see the quarterback’s foot and center’s head, I’m going.”
Coaches have given Wright the ability to audible out of called responsibilities and rush if he feels the time is right.
“To have a coaching staff that has that much respect for you and wants to see you succeed, it’s kind of hard for anybody not to take advantage and do good,” Wright said.
It has all made him one of the nation’s most effective defensive ends. Wright is also among the NCAA’s top 10 in tackles for loss with 10. But just so he doesn’t forget his main objective from play to play, series to series and game to game, Bandison has played the role of the never-satisfied coach, just as happy to chew out Wright on the play he didn’t make than praise him for the ones he did.
“I still think he has a little too much tunnel vision,” Bandison said. “He can do better, which is good when a guy can play at his level and still have room to improve.
“I never gave a thought to how many sacks he was going to get. He’s got a goal, that’s his goal. I want to stop the run and win games.”
Said Wright: “He’s at that point where he’s not going to lay off; he’s going to keep pushing. That’s definitely helping me. He’s not letting me get comfortable.”
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Colorado (0-6, 0-2 Big 12): Faced with a prolific passing offense for the second straight week, Colorado welcomes the return of sophomore safety Ryan Walters, who missed CU’s last game because of a neck stinger. Walters upgrades the Buffs’ secondary, giving it a fighting chance to successfully defend Texas Tech’s spread offense.
Texas Tech (4-2, 1-1): Sophomore running back Shannon Woods has been Tech’s best all-around player this season, averaging 144.7 all-purpose yards per game. Look for Woods on kickoff returns as well as running the ball and catching it. Last week, against Missouri, Woods had 166 yards; 95 rushing and 71 receiving.
Key stat
A loss for Colorado would be a school record-tying seven to start the season. The Buffs have lost 10 straight going back to last season, which ties the longest losing streak in the program’s history.
Key for Texas Tech
Toughness. Tech coach Mike Leach has questioned his team’s mental makeup on more than one occasion this season. Players tested his patience once again in an uninspired effort against Missouri, losing 38-21 at home. Tech’s problems start in the players’ heads. They get those straightened out and the Red Raiders could roll.
Key for Colorado
Play-making. Perhaps the biggest reason Colorado is winless is that it hasn’t made the critical play at the right time. If that changes Saturday, perhaps the zero in the win column will as well.
CHRIS DEMPSEY
