Colorado tries to end losing skid vs. No. 16 Oregon State: Keys to the game

Buffs looking for an upset to keep their bowl hopes alive

Colorado looks to stop a two-game losing streak as they welcome the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers to Folsom Field on homecoming night. The Buffaloes have just one win in their last five games as they take on OSU, who’s 6-2 on the season. The Beavers are looking to bounce back after a 27-24 loss against Arizona this past week. This is the 13th all-time meeting between these two teams with a tiebreaker on the line with six wins a piece. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, on ESPN. Here are three keys to the game

Damien Martinez - Football - Oregon State University Athletics

STOP THE TOP BACK

This week Colorado goes up against last year’s Pac-12 offensive freshman of the year and All-Pac-12 First Team running back Damien Martinez, who comes in averaging 95.3 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry. His yards per carry are 14th in the nation and it’s clear why. Martinez can get to the second level and has no qualms about lowering his shoulder to initiate contact. OSU’s star back has rushed for over 100 yards in three games this season and last week ran for 87 yards against Arizona.

Colorado will have to be sure to wrap up Martinez and keep him at bay. The Buffs defense had a great week getting at the UCLA ball carriers, forcing two fumbles. They’ll need to be physical with Martinez and try and force him to make mistakes. He racked up 178 yards and three touchdowns last year against CU, while this is not the same defense, don’t underestimate his ability to stack up big chunks of yards.

Oregon State has an identity when it comes to running the ball. For CU, their rushing identity is on the back of a milk carton. It’s missing and needs to be found as CU rushed for 25 total yards last week against the Bruins top ranked defense. The combo of Pat Shurmur and Sean Lewis need to be more creative in play calling to help take the weight off Shedeur Sanders. Colorado has shown they can use Michael Harrison more with off-tackle blocking situations.

Damien Martinez - Football - Oregon State University Athletics

Shurmur should use this approach more to give Dylan Edwards and Anthony Hankerson that lead blocker through the holes. With it being announced that Alton McCaskill will be taking a redshirt year, it is on these two backs as Buffs fans have seen very little from Sy’veon Wilkerson and Kavosiey Smoke. Finally, the offensive line needs to bounce back and be physical and show that they can get leverage to push the defensive line back to create larger holes to run through.

PASS PROTECTION

Coach Prime had a private meeting with CU offensive line this week to discuss the performance of the group. It was another poor effort with Shedeur Sanders being a sacked seven times. Communication is key here for the big men up front and knowing their assignment on each play and slide protection. There is no question when given time what Sanders and this wide receiving core can do, but Sanders’ jersey must stay clean for success. Like in the running game, having Harrison in as an extra protector could pay off for the buffs. Edwards and Hankerson will also need to be better in blitz protection.

Oregon State has one of the best lines not just in the Pac-12, but in the nation. It’s a group led by Joshua Gray, Taliese Fuaga, and Jake Levengood, who could all hear their names called in this upcoming NFL Draft. Not only are they good in the run game, but they are great in their pass protection. Colorado’s defense will need to find a wrinkle and get to quarterback DJ Uiagaleli. The Clemson transfer has only been sacked 9 times on the season.

The Buffs need to throw off Uiagaleli’s momentum, as he’s known to go through hot and cold streaks in games. He’s not the most accurate passer having only completed 59.22% of his passes, but can get hot in certain instances. If Jordan Domineck and Taijh Altston can get to Uiagaleli, it gives that secondary another chance to create turnovers as well as the defense getting more three and outs.

If Uiagaleli has time in the pocket, he will connect with his favorite target in Silas Bolden who leads the team with 37 receptions. Jack Velling has 8 touchdowns on the season and has caught at least one in the last four games.

Charles Kelly will have his work cut out for him in confusing OSU’s offensive line and try to make it a rough night for Uiagaleli in the passing game.

Damien Martinez - Football - Oregon State University Athletics

BIG PLAY ON SPECIAL TEAMS

Colorado is still waiting for that big moment on special teams. Whether that is a return for a touchdown or a turnover in their opponents territory. The longest punt return on the season was 51 yards by Xavier Weaver against ASU. Also, the Buffs have yet to have a kick return over 24 yards. They needs that

big play that leads to a score or at least gives the offense a short field to work with. Coach Prime was one of the greatest in the return game and he will need to glean some of his wisdom on these players to find that big moment. A big return could be a huge boost for CU and get the crowd even more into the game on homecoming night.

Trying to contain Silas Bolden will be key for CU on special teams. He has already taken one punt to the house in the win against UC Davis. While he has yet to return one on a kickoff, he is averaging nearly 29 yards per return, with his longest of 59 yards.

Anthony Gould is just as dangerous as Bolden having scored on two punt returns last season. These two players are game wreckers and can change the temperature of a game on one return. CU will need to do their best in keeping punts and kickoffs away from these two play makers. The Buffs have a new mountain to climb having just one win in their last five games. It gets steeper once again with the 16th-ranked team in the nation It’s time for CU to bounce back from adversity and it starts with a win on homecoming night.