Michael Adkins has been CU’s leading rusher with 209 yards in two games. (Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera)
Boulder — So far this season, Colorado’s running game has been good to great while the passing game — outstanding a year ago — has been upstaged.
That’s because CU’s first two foes — Hawaii and Massachusetts — were determined to stop the passing game, so the running game thrived. Now teams may start lining up to stop the running game, opening up the passing game.
“Coming off of last year, teams were trying to defend the pass,” said CU coach Mike MacIntyre. “They’re not supporting the run as quick. We knew that would happen. We improved on our run game last year, from our first year, and we improved on it this year. I’m pretty sure teams will start loading the box up more, and we’ll have to make some more passes and some more one-on-one plays. Thatap what defenses do. Honestly, you’d rather have somebody throw for 390 than run for 390. We’re going to keep being able to run the ball. I imagine as teams start trying to load the box up, we won’t run it as much but we’ll throw for more. I think we’ll have a good balance.”
Against UMass, Michael Adkins rushed for 125 yards. Christian Powell added 105 and Phillip Lindsay had 73. As a team the Buffs rushed for 390 yards. Quarterback Sefo Liufau threw for 168 yards.
“It takes a little bit of pressure off of Sefo and it will also open up ability for more play action pass and a little bit more time in the pocket,” MacIntyre said. “You can’t just get in a sprinter stance and rush the passer. That helps the offense a lot. I think it will help us in the red zone and help us finish out some games.”
CU led 31-14 at halftime last week and held UMass scoreless in the second half en route to a 48-14 victory in the home opener.
“I think that was one of the reasons we were able to do what we did Saturday, which we really haven’t been able to do in a long time around here, totally put a team away,” MacIntyre said. “We just ran the ball on them and they didn’t get the ball back. Itap kind of demoralizing. I’d like to do that a few more times this year.”
