Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston knows that the Buffaloes’ defense will be an area to watch when spring practice begins Monday.
Livingston enters his first season with the program after spending 12 years with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals that includes roles as a scout and the team’s safeties coach. He replaces former CU defensive coordinator Charles Kelly—who took a similar position at Auburn—and will lead a unit that underperformed in Deion Sanders’ first year with the program.
The Buffaloes concluded the ’23 campaign next to last in scoring defense (34.8), total defense (453.3) and rush defense (176.4) while finishing 10th in passing yards allowed (276.9), sixth in interceptions (10) and seventh in sacks (27) in the Pac-12.
“Last year was what it was,” Livingston said. “I think we’ve all been part of some things, and it didn’t go very great. … Defensively… we will be ready to answer the bell.”
One of the biggest assets in Livingston’s unit will be first-team All-Pac-12 defensive back Travis Hunter as well as the team’s new additions. However, for Colorado to establish a new identity, Livingston said it starts with CU limiting its opponents’ yards on the ground and explosive plays.
“It’s your job defensively on 1st and 10 to get them [opponents] to 2nd and 7 or more,” Livingston said. “…It starts with block destruction…how you get off a block, open field tackling and then turnovers. If you can’t stop the run, it just wears on you.”
Livingston’s defense will be challenged daily by a Buffaloes’ offense that includes star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who joined Sanders’ staff as an analyst ahead of the ’23 season after spending two seasons as the Broncos offensive coordinator in ’20 and ’21.
The 58-year-old NFL veteran took over Colorado’s play-calling duties in the final four games of the ’23 campaign after Sanders demoted former offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, who is now the head coach at San Diego State. With Shurmur’s offensive prowess and more than two decades of NFL experience, Livingston believes facing a high-powered offense will generate a strong foundation for CU’s defense.
Colorado will hold its spring game on April 27 at Folsom Field and will begin its first season in the Big 12 when the Buffaloes start the ’24 campaign in August.
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