Boulder – A year ago, Colorado’s defensive line put plenty of pressure on Colorado State quarterback Caleb Hanie. It wasn’t enough, however, as Hanie picked apart CU, completing 20-of-23 passes for 233 yards in the Rams’ 14-10 victory.
With former CU sack specialist Abraham Wright now wearing Miami Dolphins gear, the Buffs’ hope to pressure Hanie in the season opener Saturday rests on a revamped line.
“You see some guys get a little nervous when there’s pressure, but other guys (like Hanie) have nerves of steel,” CU defensive line coach Romeo Bandison said. “I thought we did a pretty good job of getting pressure on him, but I didn’t see him get startled at all.
“You can never really count on the quarterback getting rattled. We just have to do our jobs. We have to know what each other is doing and take care of our responsibilities.”
In addition to Wright, who sacked Hanie three times last year, CU had to replace its other starting defensive end, Walter Boye-Doe, who also had a sack in last year’s game.
“Those guys both did things on the field that were spur-of- the-moment,” junior defensive tackle George Hypolite said. “You can’t replace something like that. This year we’re not about one dominant player. We’re four very good players who can make a lot of plays. It’s more ‘by committee’ this year.”
Bandison’s new-look front four has performed well enough in fall camp that CU coach Dan Hawkins calls it a strength of the team. Hypolite’s pal inside, former Notre Dame transfer Brandon Nicolas, also is back for his junior year. Making Bandison’s life easier is having two experienced players to slot in at defensive end. Alonzo Barrett, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior, and Maurice Lucas, a 6-4, 260- pound junior, bring eagerness and athleticism. Both have patiently waited their turns.
“I can improve on everything, but I try to be around the ball always, wherever it is on the field,” Barrett said.
Lucas, a former All-Colorado pick from Rangeview High School, was one of the most highly rated CU signees in recent years. He played in eight games in 2005 as a true freshman and earned CU’s top newcomer honors.
Big things were expected of Lucas a season ago, but chronic tendinitis in both knees slowed him.
“Things are going good so far,” Lucas said. “I feel like I’m getting better every day.”
Bandison views Lucas as a player ready to bust out.
“With some guys, you draw it on the board one time and they’ve got it,” he explained. “Other guys need to walk through it to learn. Maurice is the kind of guy that needs that muscle memory.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. I used to be the same way. I tell Maurice, if I didn’t practice well that week, I didn’t play well.”
After three weeks of practicing against teammates, Bandison believes his group is ready for another shot at CSU.
While focused on pressuring Hanie, Colorado’s defensive line must also contend with CSU running back Kyle Bell, who missed last year’s game because of a knee injury. In 2005, Bell ran for 1,288 yards.
“It’s a trick to do both,” Bandison said of defending against the pass and run. “That’s why you watch film. That’s why you want smart players. Fortunately, I think we have that.”
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
