CU Buffs Urgently Address Run Defense After 422-Yard Loss

UPDATE: The Colorado Buffaloes are in crisis mode as they confront their disastrous run defense following a staggering 53-7 loss to Utah, where they surrendered an eye-watering 422 rushing yards last Saturday. With their upcoming game against Arizona on October 28, 2023, at Folsom Field looming, the urgency to rectify these issues has never been greater.

Defensive ends coach George Helow expressed his disbelief over the performance, stating, “It was embarrassing, something I’ve never been a part of before.” The Buffaloes, with a current record of 3-5 and 1-4 in the Big 12, rank a dismal 134th out of 136 FBS teams in rush defense, allowing a staggering 217.25 yards per game.

The recent two-game stretch has seen this statistic soar, with the Buffs conceding a total of 658 rushing yards, averaging 329 yards per game. Helow emphasized the need for ownership of these mistakes, stating, “We’ve got to own it and correct it and get better.”

As the Buffs prepare for Arizona, who holds a 4-3 record, there’s a glimmer of hope. The Wildcats rank 12th in the Big 12 for rushing offense, averaging 142.14 yards per game, compared to Utah’s elite status of 267.13 yards. However, Arizona’s running back Ismail Madhi poses a significant threat with 445 yards on 77 carries and an impressive average of 5.8 yards per carry. Helow stressed the importance of containing Madhi, stating, “We can’t let him bounce out to the second level.”

The Buffs have struggled with tackling all season, particularly against quarterbacks. Arizona’s Noah Fifita may not be a traditional dual-threat quarterback, but Helow acknowledged the need for a cohesive unit to limit his ability to make plays.

Defensive end Keaten Wade reflected on the painful review of the Utah game film but remains optimistic about the team’s readiness. “Definitely just bringing a different type of energy this week in practice, just having more fun and doing our job together,” Wade said.

Helow took personal responsibility, stating, “It’s all on me. I’m the run game coordinator. I have a job to do. OK, we didn’t get it done.” As the Buffaloes look to regain their footing, Saturday’s game against Arizona is critical for their season and the future of their defensive strategy.

With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Buffs can turn things around and improve their run defense in this upcoming matchup. The time to act is now, as Colorado seeks to recover from this disheartening stretch and finish the season strong.