Weekly luncheon previews game
At Dan Hawkins’ weekly press conference Tuesday at the Dal Ward Athletic Center, the center point of discussion was the Buffs’ upcoming match-up against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Fans have been wondering if Texas Tech has made any vast improvements since the 2006-07 season.
“They are a little bit different defensively, not a bunch different, but some different from last year – offensively, again, I think you need to be able to keep them off balance,” Hawkins said. “Obviously you can’t line up and do the same things you did last year because they’re obviously going to watch that as well. Then there is the turnover factor, hopefully you’re able to get some turnovers again.”
Texas Tech boasts a 6-2 record coming into Saturday, while Colorado maintains a 4-4 mark. The Buffs, though, have been taking some pointers from Missouri – the most recent team to trounce the Red Raiders by slowing down their offense.
“They kept them off balance like any good defense,” Hawkins said. “I think just mixing it up and providing a variety of things. You can’t just do one thing; they will be able to get after you. You have to keep them off balance.”
But Texas Tech is a team to take seriously. Its offense is one of the best in the NCAA, showing a vast amount of various passing formations and routes.
“I think more than being a physical challenge, it’s from a mental standpoint because they do pass the ball from a different amount of formations, different amount of routes – you definitely have to bring your ‘A-Game’ to the table, that’s for sure,” Cornerback Terrence Wheatley said.
Before the Buffs can even begin to think how the team will stop Texas Tech, CU needs to work on its own faults, including those of the offense.
“I am the quarterback – a lot of the responsibility is mine, and I definitely have to pick things up and start playing,” quarterback Cody Hawkins said. “I think being more accountable and [I have to] keep working on things and working towards things and striving to achieve perfection.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Justin Sedgwick at justin.sedgwick@colorado.edu.
