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CU report: Buffs will make changes on offense

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Paul Willis, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 29, 2008 at 11:02 p.m.

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Numbers Game

0 field goals by CU in the past five games. Kicker Aric Goodman made the overtime winner against West Virginia on Sept. 18 - and was put on scholarship after the game - but has gone 0-for-6 since. He did not attempt a field goal at Missouri.

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Last in scoring. Last in passing. Last in total offense. Eleventh in the Big 12 Conference in rushing.

Those numbers have haunted Colorado offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich this week, and he's made it clear the status quo won't cut it anymore.

While he couldn't speak about specifics of a game-plan change, Helfrich made it clear some modifications will be unveiled Saturday against Texas A&M.

"We're just trying to find our best solution because we have a lot of moving parts that aren't working in synchronization," Helfrich said.

Helfrich indicated specific personnel changes won't be emphasized as much as the attempt to find the right combinations of personnel.

Some have suggested a back-to-basics approach for the Buffaloes, who are averaging 13.3 points in the past six games, and Helfrich partly acknowledged that.

"The last few weeks we were very simple schematically," Helfrich said. "We've had a pared-down scheme, but Missouri is a darn good football team. . . . Part of (the solution) is simplify, part of it is personnel. It's a combination of those things."

In their own hands

With CU's offense struggling and the Buffs likely needing a win against the Aggies to maintain any legitimate hopes of becoming bowl eligible, the onus has fallen directly on the CU defense.

"I kind of see it that way," CU safety D.J. Dykes said. "I have confidence in our offense that they can put it together and start putting some points on the board. But as far as our defense, we're going to put it on ourselves not only to win the game but to score some points ourselves."

Despite being ransacked at Missouri, CU is a middle-of-the-road sixth in the Big 12 in total defense and ninth in scoring defense (29.1 points a game).

Don't forget, this is the unit that helped forge wins by holding West Virginia to 14 points and high-scoring Kansas State to 13. Because of those successes, the Buffs aren't necessarily going back to the drawing board after surrendering 58 to high-powered Missouri.

"It was an off week and everyone has those," Dykes said. "We're moving on, keeping a smile on our face."

Alternating again?

The Buffs alternated punters Matt DiLallo and Tom Suazo against Missouri, with the left-footed DiLallo punting when the Buffs were on the right hash mark and the right-footed Suazo punting when CU was on the left.

The theory was to keep the ball out of the hands of dangerous return specialist Jeremy Maclin.

CU coach Dan Hawkins indicated he "might" employ a similar arrangement, but Suazo indicated even the punters might not know until Saturday.

"No idea," Suazo said. "I guess we'll see who's doing better for the team."

Suazo's season debut began inauspiciously when he muffed a good snap on his first attempt and was tackled deep in CU territory. He rebounded to average 37.6 yards on five punts with a long of 47.

"I think I did a good job bouncing back," Suazo said.

"Obviously, it was a tough situation at the beginning of the game, but after that, it was fine."

Etc.

* Asked who might be the starting quarterback Saturday, Dan Hawkins said, "It's a surprise." Freshman Tyler Hansen opened last week against Missouri but shared time with sophomore Cody Hawkins.

* The Buffs have practiced for the past two days inside their bubble, with "crowd noise" simulating Texas A&M's Kyle Field.

* Senior defensive tackle George Hypolite is one of 20 defensive players to make the Lott Trophy quarterfinal list. The award recognizes athletic performance and personal character attributes.