LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
KUED·SPORTS
AUGUST, 1996 PAGE 57E
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'We're closing the gap on them'
Can Colorado catch Nebraska?
BY ANDREW HARTSOCK
JOURNAL-WORLD SPORTS WRITER
Could this be the year Colorado finally catches Nebraska?
"It has been frustrating," CU offensive coordinator
Karl Dorrell said. "That's been
something on our minds the last four or five years. But we're closing the gap on them. If you go by speed and all that, we're closing in on them."
The Buffs, 10-2 and a winner over Oregon in the Cotton Bowl last year, return a ton of talent. Back are nine offensive starters and seven defensive starters.
And still CU finished second to Nebraska, the two-time defending national champions, in the Big 12 preseason media poll.
"Our coaching staff is very excited about the possibilities of our team," Dorrell said. "We have several players back."
Back on offense are three preseason all-Big 12 team members: wideout Rae Carruth, quarterback Koy Detmre and offensive lineman Chris Naeole.
Schedule
Aug. 31 — Washington State
Sept. 7 — at Colorado State
State
State Sept.14 — Michigan Sept.28 — at Texas A&M
Oct. 19 — at Kansas
Oct. 26 — Texas
Nov. 2 — at Missouri
Nov. 9 — Iowa State
Nov. 16 — Kansas State
Nov. 29 — at Nebraska
"Skill positionwise, we have the ingredients to be successful," Dorrell said. "But the offensive line was hit by the loss of two starters. We're a little green behind the ears."
line seems to be CU's only weakness.
Mixed metaphors aside, the
Detmer's return forced John Hessler (2,136 passing yards last year) to return to his backup role. Rushing leader Hershell Troutman (826 yards) and reception leader Carruth (1,008 yards) return.
"Yes, we're optimistic on offense," Dorrell said.
The Buffs have reason for optimism on defense, too. Tackling leader Matt Russell, a linebacker, is back. He also made the preseason all-Big 12 team.
"I think our defense will be drastically improved from a year ago," Dorrell said. "We get three of our four defensive linemen back, and they're bigger and stronger. Matt Russell's back. He's been our anchor the last three years."
The Buffs switched defensive sets last season, and Russell figures their erratic play last season was part of the learning process.
"At Colorado, we don't want to win 45-40," Russell said. "We want shutout. We want to win 45-3. We've got our feet on the ground now. We were still learning the new system last year. Now we're going to go out and just play."
But can the Buffs catch Nebraska? We'll find out on Nov.29 — in Lincoln.
Colorado will travel to
Lawrence to meet Kansas on Oct. 19, KU's homecoming game. KU stunned CU, 40-24 last fall in Boulder.