UW-CU keys for the Cowboys

[IE]

1. A good start : This hasn?t been a problem for the Cowboys in their first two games. But a good start against CU will take the crowd out of it and take away the momentum if the Buffs come out fired up after two disappointing losses to start the season.

2. A good finish: The Cowboys have been outscored 43-13 in the second half in their two games. They must play better across the board in the second half.

3. Third-down conversions: UW is just 6 of 32 in its first two games, and sophomore Austin McCoy is tied for third in the nation with 17 punts. Whether it is short or long, the Cowboys must do a better job in this area.

4. Quarterback play:Robert Benjamin and Austyn Carta-Samuels have yet to throw an interception, but both have yet to throw a touchdown pass. Whoever plays (Benjamin will start for the third straight week but Carta-Samuels is expected to play) they must be more productive. They haven?t been bad so far, but they need to be better.

5. Stop CU?s running game: The Buffs want to run the ball, but have been down big early in games and haven?t been able to get that going. If UW can stop the run game and make quarterback Cody Hawkins make plays then the Cowboys have a chance.

 

[IE]

CU's injury report list talented sophomore running back Darrell Scott as limited due to a knee bruise suffered in last week's loss at Toledo. That could hurt the Buffs, but Demetrius Sumler is pretty good and I hear that Rodney Stewart, who didn't play last week with a bad hamstring, will play.

 

[IE]

A good question about if UW's defensive pressure on CU quarterback Cody Hawkins will be a key today.
I think so, but more than anything UW needs to stop the CU run game first.
If the Cowboys do that and then pressure Hawkins they should have a lot of success on defense.
Hawkins isn't a bad quarterback, but he can't be asked to carry this team or do too much. When that happens CU is in trouble.