Buffs want to avoid 'explosion' plays by Harrell, Texas Tech

B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 26, 2007 at midnight

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BOULDER - Like a shooting guard who probably will get his points regardless of how he's defended, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell can be counted on to pile up completions and yards.

Harrell's résumé, backed by the weekly NCAA stat sheet, confirms it. No bulletin there; The Colorado Buffaloes know it and (halfway) accept it.

What they don't accept is Harrell and his receivers, particularly extraordinary freshman Michael Crabtree, gorging themselves on "explosion" plays and transforming the game Saturday into a point-a-minute carnival.

"We can't give up big plays; he's going to complete a lot . . . which he always does. Don't give up the big play, stop the run - and we've got a shot," CU defensive coordinator Ron Collins said of Harrell.

In a 30-6 win against the Red Raiders last season, the Buffs solved, or at least surprised, Harrell and his offense, disguising their coverages and sources of quarterback pressure.

Of no less importance, they also played nastier than any 0-8 team might have been expected to play. Never underestimate the nasty factor.

"Last year, you could kind of tell they weren't expecting us to do what we did and play as hard as we did," CU senior cornerback Terrence Wheatley said. "They kind of expected us to lay down . . . we didn't and it was a little bit of a shock to the system for them."

Pivotal for the Buffs last season against the Red Raiders were three interceptions, two of them by safety Ryan Walters, and two recovered fumbles. CU's defensive staff looks wistfully at those turnovers; they have been few and far between in 2007.

"Last year, we did a decent job of disguising our coverages and blitzes, and we're better at it now," Walters said. "We don't give away what we're going to do. But we still need to get our hands on the ball.

"Throwing 60 passes a game (Harrell averages 52, completing 37.6) will put real pressure on a secondary . . . but that's a great opportunity to make plays."

It's also creates almost ceaseless opportunities to rush the quarterback, which Missouri successfully did last week in a 41-10 rout of Texas Tech. Of Harrell's seven sacks this season, three were inflicted by the Tigers, no doubt contributing to his four interceptions.

Wheatley, CU's interception leader (two), underscored the need for an intense pass rush that keeps Harrell from becoming comfortable in the pocket and settling into a rhythm with Crabtree (88 catches for 1,320 yards, 17 touchdowns) & Co.

"(Often), it looks like he is just sitting back there throwing darts," Wheatley said. "If we create some pressure, hit him a few times, hopefully, that'll rattle him a little bit. We hit him a few times last year and seemed to get a little antsy in the pocket and let a few passes go that he probably wishes he could have back.

"I just hope we can get to him and let him know he isn't going to be completely comfortable and be able to, basically, do what he wants to do."

Missouri limited Texas Tech to minus-9 yards rushing (including sack total), shifting the entire offensive burden to Harrell.

"Even if it's Tech, it's hard for a guy to put a game on his shoulders and say, 'OK, I'm going to throw for 600 yards and win every Saturday,' " CU coach Dan Hawkins said.

Before the matchup last season, CU had prepared for a similar spread offense (Baylor), which Collins said helped the Buffs "get a good handle" on the Red Raiders. He also said the Buffs "elevated their play" in the 2006 game, much as they did this fall in an upset of then-No. 3 Oklahoma.

"We've got to be able to do that week in, week out," Collins said. "But every year brings a different deal; we're going down to their house this year. You can't script this. You've got to get out there and play."

REGIONAL GAMESMontana State at Northern Colorado

• The game: Noon Saturday, Nottingham Field (8,500 capacity), Greeley.

• The records: Montana State is 5-2, 3-1 the Big Sky Conference; Northern Colorado is 0-8, 0-4.

• The series: Montana State leads 13-9-1.

• TV/radio: No television; KFKA-AM (1310) in Greeley and KRKS-AM (990) in Denver.

• Scouting report: Montana State makes its first trip to Greeley since 1956 to face a reeling Bears team that has been outscored 75-7 in its past two games and was outscored 54-0 in its previous two home games. UNC nearly recorded a monumental upset at Montana State last year, losing a 13-10 decision that has become the highlight of coach Scott Downing's tenure. Montana State is allowing only 16.7 points a game, the second-lowest mark in the Big Sky, and the Bears are managing only 9.4 points a game. The Bears' school-record losing streak has reached 16 games, and they have gone 0-8 at home in two seasons under Downing.

Mesa State at Chadron State

• The game: Noon MDT Saturday, Don Beebe Stadium at Elliott Field (3,500 capacity), Chadron, Neb.

• The records: Mesa State is 8-0, 5-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference; Chadron State is 8-0, 5-0.

• Scouting report: The winner of this showdown between the RMAC's only undefeated teams will have the inside track at capturing the league crown. The Mavericks, off to their best start since 1987, will try to do what no team has done by shutting down Chadron State running back Danny Woodhead. The all-time leading collegiate rusher at any level, Woodhead has led the third-ranked Eagles to 21 consecutive regular-season wins and 15 consecutive wins in league play. Mesa, ranked 18th, boasts the RMAC's top rush defense, allowing 63.5 yards a game, and has forced 24 turnovers, helping the Mavericks to forge a league-leading turnover ratio of plus-13.

Nebraska-Kearney at Colorado Mines

• The game: Noon Saturday, Brooks Field (4,000), Golden.

• The records: Nebraska-Kearney is 4-3, 3-2 in the RMAC; Colorado Mines is 5-3, 4-1.

• Scouting report: Mines has rolled to four consecutive wins behind the play of quarterback David Pesek and a defense that is making life miserable for quarterbacks. Pesek is the only passer in the RMAC who has eclipsed 2,000 yards, and he leads the league with a completion rate of 63.2 percent. The Orediggers defense, once the team's weak spot, leads the nation with a school-record 43 sacks. With 240 points, Mines kicker Aaron Abel is in a tie as the program's all-time leading scorer.

Adams State at Western State

• The game: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dutch Clark Stadium, (5,000 capacity), Pueblo.

• The records: Adams State is 1-8, 1-5 in the RMAC; Western State is 1-7, 0-5.

• Scouting report: The second Colorado Classic pairs state rivals aiming to stay out of the RMAC cellar. Western State, which recorded its first win last week in a nonconference contest against Panhandle State, has benefited from an outstanding season from wideout Dusten Copeland, who has posted six consecutive 100-yard games and needs six catches and 152 yards to break the Mountaineers' single-season records in both categories. Adams State has five consecutive victories against Western State.

Colorado College at Birmingham Southern

• The game: 11 a.m. MDT Saturday, Waldrop Stadium (2,500 capacity), Homewood, Ala.

• The records: Colorado College is 3-4, 1-3 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference; Birmingham Southern is 2-5, 0-5.

• Scouting report: Frustrated Colorado College has lost its past two games by one point apiece, and its past three losses were by a total of seven points. Birmingham Southern, which resurrected a football program this year that was dormant since 1939, has scored a league-low 79 points.

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Buffs want to avoid 'explosion' plays by Harrell, Texas Tech