Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre calls out during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. (David Zalubowski, The Associated Press)
BOULDER — An emphasis for Colorado during August camp was to cause more turnovers (takeaways) and reduce the number of turnovers lost (giveaways).
So far, that hasn’t translated to the season.
Through three games, Colorado has recorded just two takeaways — one interception, one fumble recovery.
The Buffs have committed four giveaways (one fumble lost, three interceptions thrown) and rank 11th among Pac-12 teams in turnover margin with minus-0.67 per game.
CU coach Mike MacIntyre believes it’s just a matter of time before that preparation in August pays off.
“We’ve got a lot of strip attempts (to force fumbles), a lot of tipped passes,” MacIntyre said. “We’ve got to get some interceptions, have to get some fumbles.
“If you just keep doing that, eventually you’ll have a game that you get four or five turnovers. That’s what we need to have happen. We’re still conscious of it. We’re still rewarding (takeaways) in practice. All of a sudden, it just comes in droves. I’d like to see that happen this weekend and some other weekends ahead.”
