At 1-4, the Colorado Buffaloes' season is not off to a great start. So far, the Buffaloes have been outscored by 89 points in their five games for an average of nearly 18 points per game. Some of the offensive struggles can be attributed to the youth at the skill positions.
Kyle Ringo of Buffzone.com writes that the Buffaloes have sorely missed wide receivers Toney Clemons, who is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Paul Richardson, who decided to be a medical redshirt this year rather than rush back from a torn knee ligament. Buffaloes redshirt freshman Nelson Spruce told Ringo what they miss most from Clemons and Richardson are the lack of big, down the field plays:
"We haven't made too many this year, but I definitely think we can. It's a matter of going out there and executing really. People kind of underestimate our speed because we lost Paul and we lost Tony. We might not have the same speed, but I definitely think we can make those down-field plays."
In addition to Shaw and sophomore Tyler McCulloch, the Buffalo coaching staff has also been trying to get freshman Gerald Thomas in to the game more to try to create some more explosive plays. The Buffaloes are off this week and host Arizona St. next Thursday at 7 p.m. MT