For the second week in a row, Colorado sprinter/receiver Paul Richardson apparently was targeted in the opponent’s defensive game plan with big, boldface letters and maybe an exclamation mark or three. Look for that to continue if CU doesn’t adjust any better to Richardson getting shut down.
Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen said the Buffs must get more players involved and find more weapons. CU, which was blasted 37-17 at Ohio State on Saturday, mustered just one touchdown before generating a late fourth-quarter scoring drive against a Buckeyes defense that by then had substituted.
“We’re going to have to get creative,” Hansen said.
Colorado’s inaugural Pac-12 schedule begins this week. CU’s staff faces the challenge of trying to inject some sizzle into an offense that fell flat against Ohio State, going 3-for-13 on third-down conversions.
There aren’t many 14-10 scores in the pass-happy Pac-12. Touchdowns are needed. In bunches.
“We have a lot of guys that can make plays,” Hansen said. “We need to find new ways to get the playmakers the ball.”
In the two games since Richardson’s breakout, 284-yard receiving game against Cal, the sophomore has had little impact, with four catches for 27 yards against Colorado State and four for 38 against Ohio State. And no touchdowns.
Next up for CU is Washington State (2-1) at home Saturday.
“Defenses are going to take notice of where ‘6’ is,” Hansen said, referring to Richardson’s jersey number. “He’s a great player. Defenses are going to find him on every play.
“So, it’s going to be tough. We’re going to use him in certain situations where people aren’t expecting him to get the ball. We’ll keep working on it.”
One source of encouragement is senior tight Ryan Deehan, who caught three passes for a career-high 71 yards Saturday.
“With what (the Buckeyes) were doing defensively, the middle of the field was open and we utilized that a little bit,” Hansen said. “We need to do that a little more.”
Senior wideout Toney Clemons also was able to get into the end zone for the second consecutive game. Clemons pulled Colorado to within 17-7 with 2:44 left before halftime with a leaping grab for an 11-yard touchdown.
“I just have to keep making plays,” Clemons said. “I have to let teams know that we have two elite receivers out there, instead of just one. I’m starting to get in rhythm. I’m hitting my stride.”
A stagnant running game is putting pressure on the receiving corps. Senior tailback Rodney Stewart is trying to fight through a banged-up right shoulder. He rushed for 55 yards on 11 carries and had five receptions, but CU had no consistent running game, a season-long issue.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
CU eye on: Washington State Cougars
Washington St. at CU, 1:30 p.m., Saturday, FCS Pacific
For the record: Washington State (2-1) is coming off a bye week. The Cougars lost 42-24 at San Diego State on Sept. 17. This is the Pac-12 opener for both teams.
Streaking: Washington State is averaging 49 points, fifth best nationally. The Cougars put 64 points on the board against Idaho State and 59 against UNLV.
Who’s hot: Running back Rickey Galvin, a fleet redshirt freshman from Berkeley, Calif., is averaging 8.4 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns. His backup, true freshman Marcus Mason, averages 8.5 yards.
Who’s not: The Washington State defense. Against a weak nonconference schedule, the Cougars are ranked 68th nationally in total defense, yielding an average of 370.3 yards per game.
Key stat: 5-32. That was coach Paul Wulff’s record at Washington State entering this season. But with this being his most experienced team, there is some optimism.
FYI: CU and Washington State had a home-and-home series in 2003-04. The home team lost both times, with CU dropping a 47-26 decision in Boulder in 2003, and Washington State losing 20-12 the following year in Pullman, Wash.
Injury report: Quarterback Jeff Tuel suffered a broken clavicle in the Sept. 3 season opener against Idaho State. The recovery time is usually four to six weeks. It is not known whether he will be available for Saturday’s game in Boulder. Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
CSU eye on: San Jose State Spartans
San Jose St. at Colorado St., 2 p.m., Saturday, The Mtn.
For the record: San Jose State is 1-3, 1-1 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Spartans are coming off of a 34-24 victory against New Mexico State on Saturday.
Streaking: Colorado State is 3-1-0 all time against San Jose State. The teams have not met since 1997.
Who’s hot: Senior running back Brandon Rutley ran for 209 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans’ victory against New Mexico State. Rutley has 388 yards and four TDs this season.
Who’s not: San Jose State’s rushing defense. The Spartans are 109th in the nation against the run, allowing a whopping 214.7 rushing yards per game.
Key stat: San Jose State is averaging 17 points per game, which puts the Spartans near the bottom in scoring average.
FYI: Despite its horrendous defensive performance, San Jose State is among the better teams in takeaways (seven) but is also prone to giveaways (10). . . . San Jose State’s win over New Mexico State stopped a 13-game losing streak. . . . The Spartans had a season-high 466 total yards of offense in their win.
Injury report: San Jose State defensive tackle Joe Nigos (knee) is questionable.
— Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
Air Force eye on: Navy Midshipmen
Air Force vs. Navy, Annapolis. Md., 10 a.m., Saturday, KCNC-4
For the record: Navy is 2-1 after a 24-21 loss to No. 10 South Carolina.
Streaking: Senior defensive end Jabaree Tuani has started 38 of the last 39 games. He excels at rushing the passer.
Who’s hot: Senior quarterback Kriss Proctor, who leads the team in rushing with 267 yards, has also thrown for 207 yards.
Who’s not: The outside linebackers. Senior Josh Tosh is out for the season because of an injury. Senior Jarred Shannon (shoulder), senior Mason Graham (knee) and sophomore Keegan Wetzel (concussion) are banged up but expected to play.
Key stat: Navy is 24-3 when scoring first and 18-3 when leading after the first quarter in Ken Niumatalolo’s coaching term.
FYI: Navy won 14 consecutive games against Army and Air Force before losing 14-6 to Air Force last year. Air Force went on to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. . . . Air Force senior defensive end Zach Payne (knee) and sophomore cornerback Chris Miller (lower leg), both starters, were injured Saturday and are out indefinitely, according to Falcons coach Troy Calhoun.
— Irv Moss, The Denver Post
