Buffs look to get run game rolling

BOULDER» Kyle Evans worked diligently to earn a scholarship by his third season with the Colorado football team.

Now in his fifth year with the Buffaloes, Evans’ work has paid off with a starting role.

Entering Saturday’s home opener against New Hampshire, Evans is now waiting for the explosive play to finally come his way.

“I haven’t necessarily had a big run in my book yet, so for me, it’s just being patient and making sure I do the little things right and hopefully soon enough it’ll come,” Evans said.

Evans and the Buffs are hoping the run game, in general, gets on track against New Hampshire. CU ran for 258 yards in a seasonopening win against Colorado State, but was bottled up for 44 yards on 35 carries last week against Nebraska.

While sack yardage is a part of that total, Evans and fellow senior Travon McMillian didn’t find much room against the stout defensive line of the Huskers. Both finished with 25 yards.

Finding consistency in the run game is a priority for the Buffs (20).

“We do need to run the football better,” head coach Mike MacIn tyre said. “We rushed really well the week before. The way (the Cornhuskers) were fitting the run and doing some things, it enabled us to hit big pass plays.”

Given that the Buffs did run well against CSU, MacIntyre wasn’t too concerned about the Nebraska game — despite the 44 yards being CU’s lowest singlegame total since finishing with minus21 in a 480 loss to Stanford in 2012. It was CU’s lowest rushing total in a win since having minus2 against Utah State in 1998.

“We’re going to find a way to win that game on each Saturday,” he said.

Generating a consistent run game will help to win each Saturday, however, and Evans said he and McMillian and the rest of the backs are aiming to do their part.

“For us, it’s just when we’re called to get the ball, we have to make a play and make the most of what we can,” Evans said. “Nebraska was great on defense, so we got as many yards as we possibly could get.

“As we go forward, it’s just about getting on the same page with the (offensive linemen) and making sure we’re helping them as much as they’re helping us. And then just get it going, so we can get our run game going like our pass game is going.”