BOULDER — After all the questions hovered over the defense in fall camp, the questions in Colorado coach Jon Embree’s first media luncheon Tuesday hovered over the offense.
A unit that had veterans at all the skill positions managed only 240 yards in Saturday night’s season- opening 34-17 loss at Hawaii, including only 52 yards rushing from 1,000-yard rusher Rodney Stewart. CU also allowed seven sacks, all in the second half. The lack of run production is the biggest concern leading into Saturday’s home opener against California.
“You’ll hear me continue to say it: We have to be able to run the football,” Embree said. “We have to be effective at that. Some of that was on the backs. The first play of the game we fumbled the snap.”
Senior quarterback Tyler Hansen had a disappointing game.
“I don’t feel Tyler was Tyler,” Embree said.
Hansen threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns but had little time to throw in the fourth quarter, and CU was held scoreless in the first half.
“It was a combination of factors,” Embree said. “A couple times the quarterback has to get rid of the ball. Some other times we got beat up front. Other times the receiver or the back didn’t do what he was supposed to do in protect. Unfortunately, the offensive line gets a lot of abuse or blame when the QB gets sacked.”
Plenty of tickets available.
The school announced that 7,000 tickets remain for the 1:30 p.m. Cal game, which was originally scheduled as a nonconference home-and-home series. The Bears beat the Buffs 52-7 a year ago in Berkeley.
Saturday’s game stills counts as a nonconference game though CU is now in the Pac-12.
“You have to give them something to come out for first sometimes,” Embree said of the home crowd. “That’s OK. I understand that. I remember when Rashaan (Salaam) was going for 2,000 (yards in 1994) and we were 9-1. We didn’t sell out that game, and it was 58 degrees, a great November fall day. A little of that could be the culture around here.”
The 24,448 season tickets sold, however, top last year’s total of 19,638.
Looking back.
Embree spent much of the offseason examining the Cal loss a year ago. Of all the ineptitude, what stood out the most?
“Lack of effort,” Embree said. “I don’t think we competed very well last year. I felt like we just kind of were hoping and waiting for the clock to run out so we could get off the field.”
Said senior nose tackle Conrad Obi, a backup last year: “I thought the effort was there. I didn’t think we executed. At all. All the things we wanted to do we didn’t do.”
Fourth and short.
Freshman Stephane Nembot has switched from defensive end to offensive tackle and will redshirt. . . . Offensive tackle David Bakhtiari remains day to day with a sprained MCL. . . . Embree said the school has talked to Nike about a possible “combat-style” uniform but only for a special occasion. “I really don’t see us going out there and doing anything crazy,” he said. “We have a great mascot in the buffalo, and our colors are second to none.” . . . The defensive line will have a special huddle with offensive line coach Steve Marshall, who coached Cal’s line in 2009-10. . . . Embree said he received only one negative letter after the loss at Hawaii. It was anonymous.
John Henderson, The Denver Post
