Colorado’s defensive front didn’t just hold its own in Week 1 - it finished with the highest grade in the nation.
Pro Football Network handed the Buffaloes’ defensive line a 95.5 overall mark, the best of any unit in the opening week of the college football season, with one Monday game still left on the schedule. That put Colorado just ahead of LSU at 95.4, followed by Tennessee at 93.7, Temple at 91.7 and Alabama at 90.3.
Lamont Lester Jr. was the headliner up front. The defensive end posted three sacks and three quarterback pressures, doing the heavy lifting for a Colorado pass rush that otherwise didn’t show up much.
The bigger story, though, was what happened against the run. Georgia Tech opened the game by running six times for 33 yards on its first possession, but after that Colorado clamped down and allowed only 18 rushing yards on 24 carries the rest of the way. For a program that has had plenty of trouble stopping the run, especially since Deion Sanders arrived, that kind of result stood out.
Thursday night looked like a different defense for Colorado. Whether the change came from new defensive coordinator Chris Marve, a different mix of players, a new mindset, or all three, the unit clearly took a step in the right direction.
There’s still work to do. Outside of Lester, the pass rush was basically absent, and that won’t play well against some of the stronger quarterbacks in the Big 12. Even so, Colorado heads into Week 2 with a boost of confidence on that side of the ball as it gets ready to host Weber State in its home opener on Saturday, September 12.
In Other News...
Colorado Suddenly Faces A Very Different Test In Home Opener
Weber States trip to Colorado now comes with a different kind of uncertainty after starting quarterback Devin Brown was expected to miss the game with a dislocated right pinkie finger. Brown was injured in the season opener, and the Wildcats are likely to turn again to freshman Nate Dahle, who is in line to make his second straight start against a Buffaloes team that will have to adjust its preparation accordingly.
Eric Kjar said he had updates on Browns status and made clear he has confidence in Dahle to handle the assignment. For Colorado, the change only adds another layer to a home opener that was already drawing attention, since a young quarterback being asked to settle in on the road can alter the feel of a game before it even begins. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado's Upset Win Just Brought Immediate Big 12 Recognition
Colorados upset win over Georgia Tech didnt just change the mood around the program, it quickly put the Buffaloes in the league spotlight. The Big 12 handed out three weekly football honors from the performance, with Lamont Lester Jr. earning Co-Defensive Player of the Week, Boo Carter taking Co-Special Teams Player of the Week and Colorados defensive line getting Defensive Line of the Week recognition.
For a team looking to prove it belongs in bigger conversations, the timing matters as much as the hardware. Individual awards are nice, but the real value is what they suggest about how Colorado won: disruptive play up front, impact moments on special teams and enough across-the-board execution to get the leagues attention right after a statement victory. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado May Have Found A New Pass Rush Problem For Opponents
Lamont Lester Jr. gave Colorado a much-needed jolt off the edge in its recent 14-13 win over Georgia Tech, turning in a three-sack performance that stood out in a game decided by the slimmest of margins. The Buffaloes have spent plenty of time looking for defensive answers under Deion Sanders, and Lesters emergence offered one in a hurry, especially from a player who came to Boulder with a background at Monmouth and quickly fit the tone the staff wants.
For Colorado, the bigger question now is whether this was a one-game burst or the start of a real pass-rush problem for opponents. Lester talked about the defense playing fast, smart and with relentless effort under Sanders and defensive coordinator Chris Marve, and that mindset will be tested again as teams start planning for him. If the Buffaloes can keep getting that kind of pressure off the edge, they may have found a new way to make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. [Read more 🡒]