Secondary success at CU

Bu≠s going to Berkeleywith solid set of DBs

When considering the last time Colorado’s defensive secondary was viewed as a team strength, CUfans may have to think back to 2007 when the cornerbacks included future NFL draft picksTerrence Wheatley, Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown, and safety RyanWalters packed a wallop.

Fast forward to 2014. The current Buffaloes secondary hasn’t yet reached that level. But no longer is the back of Colorado’s defense considered a liability. And, yes, it is becoming a strength.

Through four games, Colorado’s opponents are only 65-of-132 passing. That’s 49.2 percent completions in an era when offensive coaches expect at least 60 percent from their quarterbacks.

The 2007 Buffs had been CU’s last defensive unit to keep opposing QBs under 50 percent (49.6 through five games) amonth into the season.

“We’re starting to get our swag, our swagger,” saidCUsophomore safety Chidobe Awuzie.

The secondary ofColorado (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) may face its toughest test thus far Saturday in Berkeley against California quarterback Jared Goff and the Golden Bears’ up-tempo spread offense.

A composed sophomore with a big arm, Goff ranks fourth in the nation’s top quarterback conference with 296.7 yards passing per game and ranks third in the Pac-12 in pass efficiency. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns in three games, with only two interceptions.

Goff is sure to get his yards Saturday. But the Buffs’ defensive backs sound ready to win their share of the battles.

“Each week we’re getting more confident,” said senior cornerback Greg Henderson. “We practice real hard. Coaches are always on us. They don’t give us any