Reginald Hughes and Buffs linebackers look to spark defensive resurgence against Delaware

Reginald Hughes stares down the Georgia Tech backfield in the Buffaloes Week 1 matchup. (Photo by Ryan Asaro/Sko Buffs Sports)

Amid the Colorado Buffaloes’ Week 1 loss to Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets' rushing offense picked the CU’s defense apart. However, Colorado’s linebacking corps looks to change that in Week 2.

One of the key leaders of that unit is Reginald Hughes. The 6-foot-2 senior transferred to CU by way of Jacksonville State this past offseason and made his presence felt in his first game. He recorded 11 tackles with nine of which were unassisted. This was on account of his flying to the ball, a mantra shared by the rest of the linebackers as well.

“That’s just something I take pride in,” Hughes said after practice on Wednesday. “Flying to the ball, that’s just the name of the game for a linebacker.”

A key part of that is his communication and bond with fellow defensive anchor Martavius French. Both linebackers are taking on key roles in their first year with the Buffs after transferring up from Group of Five programs.

“We’re coming from different places, trying to adjust to a new program and new standards,” Hughes continued. “The situation was similar for all of us so going through that together brought us closer.”

With the Delaware Blue Hens coming to town, much has been made about limiting quarterback mobility and filling gaps left unattended in the Buffs’ Week 1 loss.

“They’ve got a dual-threat quarterback,” Hughes said. “He can move and extend plays.”

Delaware saw starting quarterback Zach Marker leave the field with an injury this past week and turned to backup Nick Minicucci for the remainder of the contest. He stepped into the role well and recorded 251 yards and three touchdowns through the air while adding 44 yards and an additional touchdown on the ground. 

“For a kid to come off the bench and do what he did is phenomenal,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said on Tuesday. “This kid is a baller, and he was prepared for his opportunity, so hats off to him.”

While designed quarterback runs weren’t a focal point of Delaware’s offensive scheme in its first game, Minicucci found plenty of success when space opened up in the defense just beyond the line of scrimmage.

He exercised quick decision-making and accurate defensive reads to create positive yardage out of broken pass plays. With the track record established by Georgia Tech in Week 1, this is certainly something the Buffaloes need to pay close attention to. 

Linebackers coach Andre Hart made it clear in his press conference on Wednesday that this is precisely what the message has been to the defense this week.

“We have a solid plan on how we’re going to decide who has the ball,” Hart said in his Wednesday presser. “Whether it’s the quarterback or the running back, it’ll be based on the formation of the play and the tendencies of that run.”

If a significant change is going to be made in this week’s game, Hughes will have to be the sparkplug. His leadership of this linebacking corps and the defense as a whole is going to be vital for their discipline and ultimate success in a must-win game.  

“We’re the ones that wear the hard hats in this room,” Hughes said. “The defense goes when we go.”