Drew takes a look at what Colorado brings to the table on defense.
Starters
Defensive Line
Defensive End
#35 – B.J. Green – 6’1”, 270 – Sr.
Defensive Tackle
#99 – Shane Cokes – 6’3”, 275 – Gr.
Defensive Tackle
#97 – Chidoze Nwankwo – 5’11”, 290 – Sr.
Defensive End
#93 – Samuel Okunlola – 6’4”, 245 – So.
Injury Notes
- Starting defensive end Dayon Hayes appears to be out after missing the UCF game with an undisclosed injury. He leads the team in sacks with 2.
Notes
- Defensive Tackle Shane Cokes is active on the inside, with 2.5 tackles for loss and a sackson the season.
- Samuel Okunla started the first two games, before being replaced by B.J. Green. Now Okunla replaces the injured Dayon Hayes.
- Chidoze Nwankwo’s center of gravity is located somewhere beneath the earth’s crust. K-State will need to find a way to move him out of the middle in the run game.
Linebacker
Inside Linebacker
#41 – Nakhai Hill-Green – 6’2”, 230 – Gr.
Inside Linebacker
LaVonte Bentley – 6’0”, 230 – Gr.
Notes
- Hill-Green is 2nd on the team in tackles (32) and leads in tackles for loss (5).
- LeVonta Bentley is 5th on the team in tackles (19).
Defensive Backs
Cornerback
#12 – Travis Hunter – 6’1”, 185 – Jr.
Safety
#23 – Carter Stoutmire – 5’11”, 205 – So.
Safety
#7 – Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig – 5’10”, 185 – Sr.
Cornerback
#8 – D.J. McKinney – 6’2”, 190 – So.
Nickle
#24 – Preston Hodge – 6’0”, 195 – Sr.
Injury Notes
- Safety Shilo Sanders returns from injury this week. Carter-Stoutmire is still listed as the starter, but you’ve got to think if Sanders is ready, he’ll be on the field.
- Safey Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig leads the team tackles with 37. It’s usually not a good sign when a safety is leading a team in tackles.
- Travis Hunter is 6th on the team in tackles (16) and tied for the lead in interceptions (2).
- Nickle Corner Preston Hodge is tied for the team lead in interceptions (2).
- Corner D.J. McKinney leads the team in passes defended (5).
Overall
Statistically speaking, this isn’t a good Colorado defense. Their run and pass defense are both ranked in the 80’s nationally.
Nebraska doesn’t want to run the ball and still put up 150 yards and 2 touchdowns on the Buffs. Baylor went for 166 yards and a touchdown against them and haven’t broken 100 yards rushing since. This is a game that screams D.J. Giddens with a heaping side order of Dylan Edwards and Avery Johnson.
I do have a couple tips for Avery.
First and foremost, don’t throw the ball towards Travis Hunter. If he’s covering Jace, throw it to Keagan. If he’s covering Keagan, throw it to Jace. Under no circumstances should he challenge one of the best playmakers in the country. Colorado is going to need K-State’s help to win this game, and Avery hasn’t exactly been good at avoiding interceptions. The problem with throwing one to Hunter is he won’t hesitate to turn it into 6 points. Turnovers killed the ‘Cats on the road in Provo, and Travis Hunter is a turnover forcing machine.
Next, if you see LeVonte Bently heading your direction, get down. He couldn’t crack the rotation at Clemson because he was behind several NFL caliber linebackers, but he did crack a few helmets in reserve duty. He plays with bad intentions. You can run away from him, but trying to run over him is a poor choice.
This is a game Kansas State needs to dominate with their ball control offense. The best way to slow down the Sanders and Hunter show on offense is to turn Sanders into a spectator and Hunter into a corner. Pound the rock, pick up first downs, and this defense will eventually fold. Keep Sanders on the sideline and he’ll start forcing things down the field when he does get his chance. At some point, a safety is going to have to make a play on the ball, because he’s going to chuck it in Hunter’s direction and hope for the best.
This is a game where complimentary football wins, and that’s K-State’s game.
I like the ‘Cats in this one.