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Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. Colorado 2018

By Mike Regalado

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Steven Montez #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes takes a snap against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Steven Montez #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes takes a snap against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO linebacker Nate Landman #53 of the Colorado Buffaloes and defensive back Delrick Abrams Jr. #1 of the Colorado Buffaloes and teammates celebrate Landman’s interception against the Colorado State Rams in the second quarter at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 31, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Mahoney/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO linebacker Nate Landman #53 of the Colorado Buffaloes and defensive back Delrick Abrams Jr. #1 of the Colorado Buffaloes and teammates celebrate Landman’s interception against the Colorado State Rams in the second quarter at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 31, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Mahoney/Getty Images) /

Colorado Defense

The Colorado defense has been just as impressive as the offense. Though they give up more yards than they would like, they attack their opponents at every turn. After three games, the Buffaloes have 28 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 24 QB hurries 17 pass breakups and 5 forced fumbles.

Now that is some Tenacious D.

Playing out of the 3-4, Colorado attacks from all sides. On the line, Colorado has JUCO transfer Mustafa Johnson who is fitting in nicely and making things difficult for opposing offenses. In three games he has collected 15 tackles, but what is even more impressive is that 6.5 of those are tackles for a loss and 3.5 of those are sacks.

"DID YOU KNOW? The football stadium that is shown in the opening credits of the 80’s sitcom ‘Mork & Mindy’ (starring Robin Williams and Pam Dawber) is Colorado’s own Folsom Field."

One of their biggest weapons comes in the form of LB Nate Landman who is a threat all over the field. Not only does he have a team-high 33 tackles, with 7 going for a loss, but he has also pulled in two interceptions. He is truly a terror in the middle of the field. What makes things worse is that he is paired with LB Rick Gamboa (20 tackles, 1 INT), so teams that try to go up the middle of the field need to think twice, especially when attempting to run.

Things are a bit different when defending the pass. Colorado is giving up over 200 yards a game, something they would like to limit. It has improved from the 242.6 they gave up last year, but it is still a concern that teams have been able to get into the seams of the Colorado secondary. There is a lot of experience in the defensive backfield, which is slowly improving, but they have to be aware of teams that are going to throw in them.

2018 Colorado Defensive Stats

Total – 373.0 | Rushing – 158.0 | Passing – 215.0 | Scoring – 18.3

Is that something they should be concerned with against UCLA? Yes and no. The Bruins do not have an offensive identity but they have downfield threats in Theo Howard, Caleb Wilson, and Dymond Lee. UCLA is not exactly airing out the ball, but they have shown some explosion when trying to get downfield on long passes. But that is not the route Chip Kelly is taking.

UCLA wants to run, which has also been an issue. The Bruins are only averaging 130.7 yards on the ground and they could be limited even more if the Buffaloes are able to cut through the Bruins’ weakened offensive line (which took another hit this week as C Zach Sweeney has taken a medical retirement).