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Brie Thomas
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Shay Fields Talks Offensive Mentality Heading into Michigan
BOULDER-- The Buffs' offense may have outscored their first two opponents 100 to 14 but they aren't content with they are right now, especially with a big game on the line Saturday.
"No not really, I feel we can do some more things, we just showed a glimpse, I mean Colorado State we did what we had to do and Idaho State as well, I think we can do some things against Michigan also."
Heading into a big environment like Michigan is going be a big task for the Colorado offense, they will need to find ways to put points on the board in order to stay in the game.
As every player and coach has been preaching all season long, its only about the game ahead of them that they need to worry about and that mindset is no different this week.
"Take it one game at a time, everybody do their one-eleven, do their assignment and we should come out with a W."
The Buffs roster is loaded with veterans this season on both sides of the ball and using that leadership to their advantage this weekend should help them against the Wolverines.
"It's key, it's key especially when something things don't go our way, the captains or the senior guys or the juniors are suppose to step up and get everybody back on the same page."
It's no secret that every football team makes mistakes during games but its the way they handle themselves afterward that makes all the difference.
For the Buffs' offense, this is the first time they are going up against an extremely tough secondary and after watching the film, Fields and the rest of the receivers are prepared to take what the defense gives them.
"They are a good man team, they are going to play man all game, that's fine, that's what we worked in practice, I feel we should have a good competition with them."
Even after good performances from the wide receivers in the first two games, they still need to continue to work better and execute to help the Buffs win games this season.
"We just got to stay focused, do our job blocking, running routes and catch the ball, plain and simple."
Septemeber 14th Practice Report:
BOULDER-- With a big non-conference game this week, the Buffs are going to have to be stout on defense to hold Michigan from putting up a lot of points.
Through the first two games, the Buffs front seven have been dominate but they haven't played an offensive line as big and athletic as Michigan's. For the Buffs having a guy like Chidobe Awuzie in the secondary that can make plays will be big. On the other side, Michigan's Jabrill Peppers is going to make big plays too for the Wolverines defense.
"They're pretty similar, they play Peppers more. They really play a 4-2-5 defense the way I look at it, the nickel personnel all the time, he's on the field. Now they adjust him, he covers different people but they are really in a nickel personnel all the time and he's a physical enough guy that he can play in the box or outside the box. So they are very similar in a lot of ways, they are both physical, they are both athletic, they flash like crazy on film. One wears four and one wears five, I think you'll see both of them making a lot of plays."
Along with the Buffs' defense playing stout, their offense is going to need to be really efficient against Michigan's offense.
"Whoever lines up at end, we'll block, whoever lines up at safety in coverage we'll play. We know they got good players and a lot of teams we play have really good players. We're not going to do anything special for them, if you start worrying about one guy than that screws up everything else, you just got to run our offense and play football."
The Buffs have really picked up their tempo this season on offense, after practice today Coach MacIntyre was asked if he is worried about how much the defense will be on the field during Michigan's long drives they put together.
"No not really cause we'll have some long ones, we'll have some short ones, you know the whole idea is to score points and keep the ball, so we'll find ways to do that, but we'll have some three-and-outs."
The Buffs' are heading into a big and loud stadium Saturday and Coach MacIntyre is hoping they don't take in the moment too much, but rather just worry about themselves and play Colorado football.
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September 13th: Press Conference
Key Quotes:
Coach MacIntyre:
"You play major college football for a reason and anytime that you're playing a major program that's at the top of its height right now doing well and you're playing on the road, that's truly our first road game there is always a little more excitement in your first road game. They understand it's how we prepare it's not the opponent you're going to play, it's how you prepare and if you're prepared to play then you'll be able to play as well as you can."
"Every game is different and you go in with a different team all the time, you have injuries you have different things happen but seriously we take every game like it's one season at a time and it's that big of a deal so every game we play is extremely important to us, you measure yourself after every game, you look at how you play, you look at certain things that happen in a game to keep improving so our guys had a really good practice today hopefully they'll stay focused."
"I think it's just maturity, the more mature your team is and guys that have been out there and played and they know that coach tells ya you better notice where the back is, you better look to the sideline fast cause this team goes quick and in the game they don't look where the back is and they realize and all the sudden they get beat, and they don't look to the sidelines fast there halfway lined up, they don't get the call and the guy runs by him. They've been out there in the fire so they know there is a trust factor between the players and the coaches now."
"Big and athletic. They are really big and they are very athletic, they got a lot of depth, they are experienced all over the field and they got a lot of freshmen that they are throwing in there that are very athletic too. They do a very good job defensively, do a lot of stunting, they play a lot of good man coverage. Offensively they are able to run the ball, great play action pass, the quarterback can really throw the deep ball well."
"I don't think that our kids will wilt at all, I think we're playing a really good football team so now we need to see how we play against a really good football team and I think they do too, playing against a better football team than some of the teams they've played I hope so I think you just go out there and you stand toe-to-toe and you fight and see how we fight and see how we measure up."
Sefo Liufau:
"I think there is a misconception. It's easy to I guess not have as much focus when there is a big team like Michigan coming up on your schedule but for the first two weeks, we've had great great focus. I say it every week, each game that's the one coming is the championship game to me so each week we've had great confidence, great focus each week and that doesn't change for this week you know Michigan is a great team, we'll be ready to play as best on the offensive side this week."
"Focus, locking in and just being consistent, I think when you go into a big environment like that it's easy to lose focus and be in awe, I guess of the sceptical of how big the place is but I'm not worried about the offense, we've been practicing already, twice this week and we'll be ready for whatever big scene they have for us."
"They are just a great defense, what they run they run it very well. I think that is what separates them from the first two teams that we've played this season, they got some players over there too which is fine. Like I said being a competitor you want to play against the best and you know they are going to make some plays, it's the nature of the game but we'll make some plays too. Our goal is to be consistent and make more plays than they make."
"Hopefully it doesn't come down to a hail mary but if it does come to down a hail mary, I'll get the ball in the end zone."
Tedric Thompson:
"We're not really trying to overthink anything, we're just trying to approach it as just another game, we're practicing just like we've practiced the last two weeks. We're focusing on ourselves and how to approach the game and how to play Colorado football so that's our main focus right now."
"I think each week is a different challenge obviously going against a great team like this is another challenge for us but were ready for it, not just the DB's but overall the entire team. As long as we keep focusing on ourselves and practicing for each other, playing for each other and loving each other we'll be fine."
"I think it is to block out all the distractions, I think that's the main thing especially going to a stadium like this you always hear how big it is, how loud it is, so I think as long as we block out the distractions stuff like that we will be fine."
"They are a team, you can tell they play for each other. Their offense has a really great O-line, they are physical, they have a really great physical back and they have another freshman running back who is real elusive and they have great receivers and a great quarterback and obviously have a great head coach. They are just a great team overall, offense, defense and special teams."
"I think the main thing we gotta keep focusing on is keep creating turnovers and keep giving the ball back to our offense. I think that's our main goal to give the ball back to Sefo and offense because we got so many great players on the offense. We got a great O-line, in my opinion the best quarterback in the nation so if we keep creating turnovers and giving Sefo and offense the ball we're gonna be fine cause we're gonna put up points we just need to hold up our side of the deal."
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Kenneth Olugbode Talks About Defensive Effort
BOULDER-- With a top tier defense that has only allowed 14 points between the first two games, Colorado is looking to continue that hot streak heading into the Big House.
Senior Linebacker Kenneth Olugbode is going to be a big part of stopping Michigan's offense come Saturday.
The defense proved in the past two games that they can make big plays and can hold teams to limited yardage.
"We played pretty well, lot of effort, lot of teamwork, we've been communicating really well as a defense total but we're really just not looking back on the past, were looking forward to this week," Olugbode on the defense the first two weeks.
Coach Jim Leavitt is going to have a big task on his hands trying to stop Jim Harbaugh and his dominate offense. Olugbode and the rest of the defense know they are going to have to play hard and smart.
"Effort and run to the ball and gang tackling," Olugbode on what Coach Leavitt has been stressing during practice.
If the Buffs defense can implement all three of those things they should be able to slow down Michigan's offense throughout the game.
It has been clear to see that defense has stepped up their game tremensoudly from last year but after playing two offenses that haven't given them biggest challenge they are really going to need to mentally prepare for what Michigan will throw at them.
"Like we've been doing every week, run to the ball, communicating and playing with great effort."
"They are a great team Coach Harbaugh is a great coach and they are going to come out and play their best."
If the defense can play with the same about of intensity we've seen the past two weeks they should be able to stop Michigan on drives, allowing the offense to have more chances to put the ball in the end zone.
Practice Report:
BOULDER-- Since the beginning of the season the Buffs have been quite muffled about the big game this week. Now they are forced to say the one word they cut out of their vocabulary since camp started, Michigan.
As the Buffs being preparations to play the Wolverines Saturday they are starting to realize the caliber of this game and what they need to do to be successful.
"Of course Michigan is a phenomenal place to play and our kids will be ready to play, excited about playing there and you know we do silent count, we do all that stuff every game cause when you play on the road it gets loud at any place you go to a lot of times so our offense knows how to handle all that."
"They just need to worry about Colorado, they need to worry about them preparing themselves cause it doesn't matter what the excitement of the place, if you're not prepared mentally to play well it doesn't matter the excitement of the place or whatever, you just gotta prepare all week starting today so I feel like they'll definitely be ready to do that."
In order to stop Michigan's prime offense the Buffs front seven are going to need to be on top of their game and playing at their highest level. Josh Tupou should be a big factor on the defensive line like he has been all season.
"He's played well, he's had two good games and we hope he just keeps playing better as we go along, I've been pleased with what Josh has done. His attitude has been phenomenal, he's been exemplary in everything he's done, in class, in school, in workouts with practice, looks like he understands, he kind of grew up a little bit, we all go through different stages, and I would say that he definitely learned being off for a year."
If the Buffs are unable to find the end zone this weekend they will look to Diego Gonzalez to knock down field goals but Michigan is very good at getting off the ball quick and blocking kicks.
"I feel very confident in our protection, you know they did a good job of attacking, I feel good about our protection and we'll see when we get out there."
Some questions arose about Alex Kelley, Derek McCartney and Sam Kronshage early this weekend. After practice Coach MacIntyre briefly talked about their health.
"They were both out here practicing today full go so hopefully they don't swell up or something happens this afternoon, right now they look good out there," on Kelley and McCartney.
"Sam was not in practice today but was running around and jogging and hopefully he'll be back tomorrow."
After going 1-0 the past two weeks the Buffs have now turned their focus on going 1-0 at Michigan and their mental toughness will be tested this week.
"Yes they have, they were focused, they worked out hard this morning, we lift weights before practice in the mornings on Monday's they did well there, they came out really focusing, meetings they paid attention, we made a lot of corrections off Saturday's game and then started looking at Michigan so I felt like they were definitely focused and ready to go. They seem very well rested."
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