Running game one of Buffs’ biggest concerns
As the Buffs recuperate from their 16-6 loss against Florida State’s Seminoles this past weekend, mistakes are the first thing on everyone’s mind.
The mistakes they won’t make next time.
“In the locker room after that game was the first time that I told our guys I was disappointed,” said Head Coach Dan Hawkins. “It’s not that I think we should have won that game, but we certainly could have.”
Next weekend, the Buffs face the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks.
Both the RedHawks and the Buffs are 1-2 this season.
The RedHawks suffered losses from Cincinnati, 47-10, and Minnesota, 41-35.
While this game may not scream upset, it is still very likely for Miami to break their 14 point predicted deficit.
“You can’t go out and rush for two yards on 57 carries and expect to win the football game,” Hawkins said. “We’re normally a pretty good football team at creating turnovers, and we aren’t right now, and we need to improve that. For any team that is 1-2 you can’t just sit back, you have to go to work.”
Florida State exposed many of the Buffs’ weaknesses. The Colorado running game, which had minus 27-yards rushing on Saturday, as well as poor run blocking, were two exposed areas for the Buffs.
Daniel Sanders, center for the Buff team and junior ethnic-studies major, said the team’s running game needs improvement.
“Every time so far, we have taken turns making mistakes on each one of the plays,” Sanders said. “What we need to do now is continue working on the basics and get going downhill so that we can get this run game going.”
Despite Florida State being victorious, Colorado managed 310 passing yards over Florida State’s 218 combined yards overall. The Buffalo offense has been improving every time they take the field.
“I feel like I we’re coming on at a great rate as a group, and that we’re starting to minimize our mistakes,” said Josh Smith, freshman wide receiver.
Generally, the Buffs seem to agree that even though they have lost the past two games, the team is learning and improving.
“I always believe that of all our guys, that within any great team or organization, that great things can happen,” Hawkins said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Justin Sedgwick at justin.sedgwick@colorado.edu.
