Entering the season, Colorado looked to make a statement with their defense. Now on their second bye week of the year, defensive coordinator Robert Livingston has his unit playing like their cleats are on fire.
Through eight games, the Buffaloes have 22 sacks, seven fumble recoveries, and six interceptions. At each level of the field, they have players who can make an impact. Sitting at 6-2, 4-1 in Big 12 play and bowl-eligible, Colorado will need to keep the momentum going into the home stretch of the season.
Next Saturday, they will be on the road in Lubbock, Texas to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a Big 12 showdown. During the bye week, the Buffs are preparing hard and even had an intrasquad scrimmage on Wednesday. Although Livingston did not go in-depth on the scrimmage, he shared the personal side of his team.
“I love these guys. I spend more time with them than I do my family, unfortunately. We talk about being a family and a tribe mentality, and it's a testament to the guys. You know they've bought in,” Livingston said. “They play hard, they play fast. Is it perfect? No, it's not always perfect, but they give their all.”
Livingston was quick to credit his players and staff for the unit's performance this year. Players like safety Cam’ron Silmon-Craig and two-way star Travis Hunter provide assets in the secondary. Linebackers Nikhai Hill-Green and LaVonta Bentley have been dominant across the field, as the pair have contributed 57 tackles and three sacks for the defense.
“I think it's a testament to our staff. We do a great job at halftime, those guys come in and everybody's got an area they work on. George Helow gets in front of them and talks about the run fits. Kevin Mathis does a great job talking about the pass concepts, and I just stay out of the way,” Livingston said. “If we can dominate with the front seven, the linebackers playing downhill, I can't say enough about 41 and 20. I mean the way they've played the last two weeks has been really special.”
Historically, great defenses have a motto or way of life that establishes their play. Relying heavily on man coverage and playing to their athletes' strengths, the Buffaloes have found just that. Even when they bend, they do not break.
“The rallying cry defensively has always got to be yards don’t equal points. As long as you play great situational defense, so that's third down, that's the red zone, that's two-minute…We put a plan together and the players come out and execute,” Livingston said.
These are all scenarios coaches have to think about each week. When the opponent changes, so do the game plan and players who fit the scheme. It is up to Livingston and the staff to watch film, assess the offense, and then apply it to the team. With two bye weeks, Colorado has focused heavily on staying a step ahead.
“It starts each week. How can we make them play left-handed? How can we have the upper hand? Some weeks it might be a 35-play guy and some weeks it might be a five-play guy,” Livingston said. “When you have depth you can do that, again it's a testament to the staff. We are pretty deep, so you feel good about that, and that's a good problem to have.”
The rotations of players have been a factor in the offense and defense this year. Head coach Deion Sanders has assembled a staff that has fueled belief in the program. The month of November will be an important one for the Buffs to maximize their season.
The defense's big test following the bye will happen on Nov. 9, with time TBD.
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