UCLA Football: UCLA vs Colorado Early Analysis
Three Key Players
QB- Sefo Liufau
Liufau returns to Boulder for his senior season looking to leave the Colorado program in a better state than when he found it. In the up coming season Liufau will be looking to use his experience as a 4th year starter to lead the Buffs offense as Luifau threw for 2418 yards on 62.2% while throwing for 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in 2015.
These numbers were actually lower than his 2014 campaign (3,200 Yards on 65.3%, 28 TDs,15 INT), although this is largely due to a Lisfranc injury he suffered early in a game against USC.
While Liufau is far from a Heisman contender, he’s a decent quarterback who can hurt you with his arm and his legs and with 3 years of experience under his belt will pose a credible threat to the Bruins in the upcoming season.
WR- Shay Fields
The Buffs lost one of the best receivers in the conference in Nelson Spruce to the NFL, who actually leads the PAC-12 in all time career receptions. Filling in for him is Fields who was thrown the rock 42 times last season and averaged 14.2 yards per catch. His numbers will likely skyrocket as he becomes the Buffs #1 target, and shutting him down will likely be a key to UCLA curtailing the Colorado offense.
Awuzie comes off the 2015 season receiving 2nd team All-Pac 12 honors, and looks to begin his senior campaign as a potential All-American in the Colorado secondary. He finished 2015 with an impressive 72 tackles (12 for loss), 2 interceptions, 4 sacks, and 7 pass break ups. With 8 returning starters on the Buffs defense, Awuzie figures to be a leader on a defense that’s tired of being stepped on by the rest of the conference.
Stats
- UCLA leads the all-time series against Colorado, 9-2
- The Bruins are currently on a 5-game win streak vs the Buffs
- In offensive and defensive stats, Colorado only fracked the top 50 in one category: Pass Defense (49th, 240.6 ypg)
Next: Offenses Vs Defenses