The Colorado Buffaloes running back strategy was not optimal, leading to a one-sided offense in Saturday’s loss to Kansas State. The offense, after logging impressive outings in the run game against Colorado State, Baylor and UCF, hit a brick wall at Folsom Field against the stingy Wildcats.
Colorado did not have a running back other than Dallan Hayden carry the football in the first half, with Hayden managing seven carries for 11 yards in the first thirty minutes of play. The offensive line struggled to hold up throughout the contest, making it harder to effectively run the football, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders was sacked six times.
"When you're behind, you can't really run the ball, because then you're wasting time off the clock," Sanders said regarding the inept running game.
The Buffs had recent success in their last three games running the football, taking the pressure off Shedeur Sanders and CU’s potent air raid. In a game where four receivers were injured, leaning on the run would have been pivotal. Colorado finished the game with 13 rushes for 45 yards, which forced the Buffs to rely on the arm and accuracy of Sanders to generate offense.
While the offensive output was impressive overall, tallying 28 points on several efficient drives, they cannot win contests against elite opponents when Sanders throws the rock 40 times in a game.
"They (Kansas State) did a great job scheme-wise to make it difficult to run the ball," Shedeur said regarding challenges establishing the run.
CU fundamentally expected more from Ohio State transfer Dallan Hayden, whose lackluster production has not met his lofty preseason expectations. Hayden has managed just 96 yards on 32 carries this season while missing two games due to injury.
Colorado simply has not found an identity in the run game that can carry over from game to game. While the run looked fantastic against CSU and UCF, it regressed significantly in the 31-28 loss. That regression could be explained by the fact that none of CU's backs can establish continuity, since they are running on split carries.
While Hayden led the backfield with seven carries, he conceded work to Arkansas transfer Isaiah Augustave, who tallied three carries for 10 yards. While that discrepancy is not glaring, the Buffs desperately need to establish an identity in the run game, which takes a hit when carries are by committee.
Suppose Hayden is the guy, great. Stick with him and give the sophomore ample opportunity to show why he transferred from one of the premiere programs in the country. If not, it may be time to turn to another running back to provide a desperately needed spark in the offense.
Colorado coaching staff was high on freshman Micah Welch all preseason. He had limited to no action Saturday night and may need to be given a fair chance considering Dallan Hayden's undeniable struggles this season.
The Buffs currently rank 132nd in the country out of 136 FBS schools in rushing yards per game, totaling a modest 62.3 yards per game. They will look to re-establish the run game against Arizona in Tucson on Saturday.
"We didn't execute, the play calls are there," Coach Prime said. "We missed a block here, we missed a block there, we just didn’t execute."
Cover photo by Roberto Patrick Gerra/Sko Buffs Sports
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