When considering the last time Colorado’s defensive secondary was viewed as a team strength, CU fans may have to think back to 2007 when the cornerbacks included future NFL draft picks Terrence Wheatley, Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown, and safety Ryan Walters packed a wallop.
Fast forward to 2014. The current Buffaloes secondary hasn’t yet reached that level. But no longer is the back of Colorado’s defense considered a liability. And, yes, it is becoming a strength.
Through four games, Colorado’s opponents are only 65-of-132 passing. That’s 49.2 percent completions in an era when offensive coaches expect at least 60 percent from their quarterbacks.
The 2007 Buffs had been CU’s last defensive unit to keep opposing QBs under 50 percent (49.6 through five games) a month into the season.
“We’re starting to get our swag, our swagger,” said CU sophomore safety Chidobe Awuzie.
The secondary of Colorado (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) may face its toughest test thus far Saturday in Berkeley against California quarterback Jared Goff and the Golden Bears’ up-tempo spread offense.
A composed sophomore with a big arm, Goff ranks fourth in the nation’s top quarterback conference with 296.7 yards passing per game and ranks third in the Pac-12 in pass efficiency. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns in three games, with only two interceptions.
Goff is sure to get his yards Saturday. But the Buffs’ defensive backs sound ready to win their share of the battles.
“Each week we’re getting more confident,” said senior cornerback Greg Henderson. “We practice real hard. Coaches are always on us. They don’t give us any slack. We’re just trying to get better every day.”
Yes, Hawaii’s quarterbacks struggled at times with accuracy last weekend in Boulder during the . But the Buffs recorded nine pass breakups — an extraordinarily big number for a game.
Colorado’s starters in the secondary comprise an interesting mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen. Henderson is a four-year starter and fellow cornerback Kenneth Crawley, a junior, is in his third year as a starter. The safeties, Awuzie and Tedric Thompson, are sophomores, and sophomore John Walker has earned a spot as the top nickel back. As a group, the quartet is more athletic than CU secondaries of recent years.
“We’re got some guys with experience, and they all continue to get more experience,” said Charles Clark, CU’s defensive backs coach.
“Experience allows you to play fast,” he explained. “The faster you play, the more opportunities you’ll have to get around the ball. You see more when you have experience.”
California (2-1, 0-1) may be as deep at wide receiver as any team the Buffs will play all season. The Golden Bears have five wideouts with at least eight catches — and that’s through just three games.
Goff likes to heave it downfield. Five receivers are averaging 20 or more yards per catch for California, led by junior Trevor Davis at 22.6.
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or twitter.com/tomkensler
Colorado at California
2 p.m. Saturday, PAC12; 850 AM
When the buffs run
Colorado struggled to find a rhythm rushing the ball last weekend against Hawaii, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry with a net of 118 yards. It may be tough sledding again Saturday, with California’s active front ranking first among Pac-12 teams in rushing defense, yielding an average of just 110.7 ground yards. Edge: California
When the golden bears run
CU coach Mike MacIntyre points to California’s ability to run as the biggest difference in the Golden Bears this season. Daniel Lasco (123 yards) and Khalfani Muhammad (95) are coming off career-best efforts against Arizona. Colorado ranks 10th among Pac-12 teams in rushing defense. Edge: California
When the buffs pass
Although sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau must reduce his interceptions (two in each of the past two games), he led the Buffs to three long scoring drives against both Arizona State and Hawaii. Also, Liufau has the hottest receiver (Nelson Spruce) in the conference. Cal ranks last among Pac-12 teams in pass defense. Edge: Colorado
When the golden bears pass
Sophomore QB Jared Goff appears to be coming of age after an erratic debut in 2013. Cal’s passing offense ranks third in the Pac-12 and 13th nationally (335.3 yards per game). Against Arizona, he connected with eight different receivers, and he loves to throw downfield. Cal’s average of 16.2 yards per completion ranks ninth nationally. CU’s secondary is much improved, but slowing Goff and veteran receivers may be too much to ask.
Edge: California
Special teams
Both teams are solid, but here’s something to watch: CU ranks 12th among Pac-12 teams in kickoff coverage and Cal is only 11th in kickoff-return average. Perhaps something will give. Edge: Even Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
