BOULDER — After all the questions hovered over the defense in fall camp, the questions in Jon Embree’s first post-game press 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. That includes only 52 yards from 1,000-yard rusher Rodney Stewart and seven sacks, all in the second half.
The lack of run production is the biggest concern leading into Saturday’s home opener against California (1-0).
“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 Tyler Hansen, of whom Embree said, “I don’t feel Tyler was Tyler,” threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns but had no time in the fourth quarter.
“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.”
Tickets available: 7,000
The school announced 7,000 tickets remain for the 1:30 p.m. game which was originally scheduled in a non-conference home and home. The Golden Bears ripped the Buffaloes 52-7 a year ago.
“You have to give them something to come out for first sometimes,” Embree said. “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, however, top last year’s total of 19,638.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299, jhenderson@denverpost.com and .
