BOULDER — If anyone should have a pulse on where a defense is headed, it’s Colorado defensive coordinator Kent Baer.
Baer, 63, is in his second year at CU and also has served, in order, as defensive coordinator at Utah State, Idaho, California, Arizona State, Stanford, Notre Dame, Washington and San Jose State.
He believes the Buffs defense made strides with its effort in the second half of last weekend’s 41-38 . CU limited UMass to seven points in the final 25 minutes.
“I thought we grew up a little bit. We played faster, we played harder, our guys just flew to the ball,” Baer said Wednesday following CU’s practice. “I saw them have a little fun too, the way we played.
“When we were down (31-20 early in the second half), our guys could have thought, ‘Oh, gosh.’ But they didn’t. They played harder.”
Colorado’s home and conference opener Saturday against No. 16 Arizona State (2-0) “is a whole new challenge this week,” Baer said.
But at least the second half provided some encouraging signs for Baer.
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or twitter.com/tomkensler
