Colorado’s offensive identity change can be a strength

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Dre'lon Miller starred in a remodeled role against BYU, rushing for 52 yards and scoring two total touchdowns. (Photo by Remi Krupinski/Sko Buffs Sports)

When the Colorado Buffaloes ranked dead last, No. 134, in the nation in rushing yards per game last season, it would require a complete identity shift to fix that prevalent issue. 

On Saturday night against a ranked BYU Cougars team, Colorado’s 128 yards rushing by halftime alone would have tied its second-highest output from any game last season. 

Be it hiring Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk as a position coach or landing mobile quarterback transfer Kaidon Salter in the portal, this was the designed outcome of an off-season revamp following the loss of quarterback Shedeur Sanders to the NFL draft. 

The Buffs’ commitment to the run showcases a complete change in offensive identity from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur; a new-look group that can push the rock. 

The team’s 737 total ground yards through five games this season wouldn’t have been surpassed by the 2024 team until late November in their 10th game. Colorado’s 147.4 rushing yards per game is over double its 65.7-yard average last season. 

It looked bleak when running backs DeKalon Taylor and Simeon Pierce were announced out before BYU, but adding wide receiver Dre’lon Miller to the backfield proved to be another sparkplug for the offense. Of his 10 total touches, eight came on the ground, and one went for a touchdown.

Despite Salter’s 22-yard sack, as well as another massive run wiped off the board by a holding call, Colorado’s 172 total rushing yards is its highest mark in a game since September 2023 against USC. 

Its triumph on the ground was in no small part due to the continuous strong play of the offensive line. They were the only group to not only avoid the ire of coach Deion Sanders but to receive praise. 

“We have a tremendously physical offensive line,” said Sanders when asked about the run game’s success. “They practiced their butts off last week.”

Unfortunately, Colorado had as much trouble stopping the run as BYU did. The two teams would combine for 415 sack-adjusted rushing yards, highlighted by true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s 98 and a 32-yard touchdown on a reverse by receiver Cody Hagen. 

Despite CU’s early success, the run game would dry up in the second half, with just 44 rushing yards on 13 attempts over the team’s final five drives. Colorado held the lead over BYU through three quarters, yet multiple critical mistakes killed the offense before the run game had a chance to seal it. 

The Buffaloes may have shifted a little too far from the passing game, but the ground-and-pound approach helped them compete against a ranked conference opponent and take the game down to the wire. 

If the Buffs’ commitment to the run stays true, they can continue to compete amongst the best as they search for a Big 12 title. While they still have a ways to go, there’s strength in an identity.