GREELEY — Cornerback Korey Askew and the rest of the University of Northern Colorado secondary like being under pressure. In fact, they relish it.
They are bound to have plenty of it too, after the comments of Montana coach Robin Pflugrad. Pflugrad, the Grizzlies’ wide receivers coach last season, said in a conference call with the Big Sky Conference media that UNC’s secondary was as good as any the Grizzlies saw last year, including their playoff run to the national title game.
With three of four starters returning from a unit which allowed a league- low average of 205.8 yards passing, the Bears certainly have reason to believe they could be better this year.
— at greeleytribune.com
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“That’s our goal, so I am not going to shy away from it at all,” UNC defensive backs coach Kendrick Shaver said. “So I thank him (Pflugrad) for it, but we will stay humble.”
Even after the success the Bears had last season and after hearing Pflu- grad’s comment, Askew agreed the Bears can’t get overconfident.
“I never heard it (Pflugrad’s comment) and kind of didn’t want to hear it because we kind of want to humble ourselves,” Askew said. “That is a great thought that they think that, but we have got some new guys in there, and we have to prove ourselves again. Last year proves nothing.”
It did prove that Askew, a fifth-year senior, was one of the best cornerbacks in the conference after finishing first in the Big Sky in passes defended (12) and tying for sixth with three interceptions.
It’s a remarkable comeback story, considering Askew spent the better part of his first three seasons on the sideline with injuries after two reconstructive knee surgeries.
In Saturday’s scrimmage, Askew showed one of the reasons he is a preseason all-Big Sky selection, snagging a one-handed interception in the end zone while going backward.
If opposing quarterbacks don’t throw his way, Askew has plenty of confidence in the guys around him, including junior cornerback Colby Riggins and Max Hewitt.
A fifth-year senior, Hewitt is a preseason all-Big Sky safety whom nfl- had listed as the 12th-best draft-eligible safety as a junior.
The biggest question mark may be at the other safety spot, where projected starter Chuks Nweke was in a close battle with sophomore Marcel Gibbons and Jordan Bible until Gibbons and Bible were injured.
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