| | |
|
Buffaloes want ball control Colorado defense ready for Oregon's 'quack attack'
Posted: Wednesday December 23, 1998 10:46 PM
HONOLULU (AP) -- The best defense for Colorado may be a ball-controlling offense when the Buffaloes take on No. 21 Oregon in the Aloha Bowl on Christmas Day. Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel would like to establish a running game that keeps his team's offense on the field -- and the prolific Oregon attack off it. Oregon (8-3) of the Pacific 10 Conference enters the game ranked 10th nationally in offense, averaging 478 yards a game. The Ducks also average 39 points a game, seventh best in the country. Colorado (7-4) of the Big 12 Conference has the nation's 13th-ranked defense, allowing 296 yards and 19 points a game. "Offensively, we want to keep their offense off the field," Neuheisel said. "What we want to do that we have been unable to do consistently throughout the season is come up with some big plays." Offensive coordinator Karl Dorral said controlling the ball doesn't necessarily mean three yards and a cloud of dust on offense. The goal is to move the ball as well as control it. "We're going to try to move the football, whether that's an opportunity to have a 15-play, 80-yard drive, or a three-play, 60-yard drive," Dorral said. "We know how good their offense is, but I don't want that to slow down the nature of what our offense is." One thing that may help the Buffaloes is the return of running back Marlon Barnes, who missed five games with foot and knee injuries but still led the squad with 572 yards and three scores. The Ducks will be without their top rusher. Reuben Droughns suffered ligament damage in his right ankle after fracturing his fibula in the sixth game of the season, but led the Ducks with 824 yards. Oregon will rely on junior Derien Latimer and true freshman Herman Ho-Ching, who had 296 yards and three touchdowns. "I don't feel my loss has anything to do with the offense," Droughns said Wednesday. "The offense is going to run how they run, and is going to do what they do. They've been doing a superb job so far." Colorado defensive coordinator A.J. Christoff said the potency of the Ducks' passing attack is what makes their running game effective. "What they do a great job of schematically is being able to run screens, and being able to put you in a position perimeter-wise where it's difficult to defend the run ... and still be able to cover the pass," Christoff said.
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
