Versatile Buffaloes pose big challenge for Bobcats
Colorado features a balanced offense led by QB Montez.
Last week, the Texas State Bobcats opened the season with a home win against an FCS opponent 20-11 over the Houston Baptist Huskies, members of the Southland Conference playing their fourth year of football.
This week is a different story, as the Bobcats go on the road to face the Colorado Buffaloes, who finished on top of the Pac-12 South Division last season with a 10-4 record.
Although the Buffaloes put up only 17 points in their season-opening 17-3 win over Colorado State, they are favored today by 35½ points.
“We’ve got to make sure that we rein in Colorado’s rushing offense,” Texas State defensive coordinator Randall McCray said. “They’re a phenomenal rushing football team, and it doesn’t hurt that they’ve got a 6-3, 6-4 quarterback sitting there that can pull the trigger and run himself. We’ve just got to be assignment-sound.”
Sophomore Steven Montez has taken over at quarterback for Colorado after four-year starter Sefo Liufau graduated last year. Montez, a graduate of El Paso Del Valle High School, made his fourth collegiate start last week, earning his third win as he completed 21 of 29 passes for 202 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
“I think they are going to do whatever you give them,” Texas State coach Everett Withers said. “If you’re allowing them to run the ball with six in the box, they’ll run it. If you load the box, then they’ll throw relief game outside or throw it deep over the top.
“They’re going to go up-tempo, and they’re going to do what a lot of teams across the country do. If numbers are there, they’ll throw it. If not, they’ll hand it off to No. 23 and run counter, gap-scheme type run plays.”
No. 23 is senior running back Phillip Lindsay, a Colorado team captain. After rushing for 1,189 yards and leading the Pac-12 in touchdowns with 16 last year, Lindsay started this season by gaining 140 of Colorado’s 143 rushing yards against Colorado State, including a 45-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
To counter the Buffaloes’ rushing attack, the Bobcats’ starting four linebackers — Gabe Loyd, Bryan London II, Easy Anyama and Frankie Griffin — will need to step up. Last week, they combined for 23 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
“They’re big and athletic,” Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said at his weekly news conference. “They held Houston Baptist to 59 yards rushing. We can’t be held to 59 yards rushing and expect to win the game. They are very stout in the linebacking area, so we’re going to have to get to the second level.”
Former Texas State signee Javier Edwards is now starting at nose tackle for Colorado. Edwards signed with the Bobcats in 2015, but he had to transfer to Blinn College because he didn’t meet academic requirements.
The 350-pound lineman saw his recruiting skyrocket after his time in junior college, receiving offers from major programs such as Arkansas, Florida and Missouri before signing with the Buffaloes.