Buffaloes’ mantra: Stop us if you can

Hawaii Offense

Outlook: Because of ailments and a suspension, the four No. 1 receivers did not practice together in team drills this preseason. But that might have been beneficial. Sampson has had more reps at left wideout than 6-5 Darius Bright, who is suspended for this game. Asked the difference between the players, Moniz joked: "About 3 feet." Moniz and Sampson actually are synchronized in reading coverages. "We have a connection," Moniz said of Sampson. Sampson is capable of running 40 yards in 4.4 seconds, and his cuts have improved since receiving custom-fit cleats. He wore soccer shoes last year. "There are no size requirements for any of the positions," offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said. "If you can execute, you can play." Ostrowski and Stutzmann are starters after serving long apprenticeships. Stutzmann, who gained 15 pounds, is a tough post-catch runner; his yards-after-catch average was 7.2 last year. Pollard is UH’s most athletic receiver. In 2010, he had only two drops. There are new starters on the offensive line, but Laurel, Leonard, Lefiti and Faaumu are fifth-year seniors. Faaumu makes his first collegiate start, but then will alternate with Chauncy Winchester-Makainai, who missed two practices because of a stomach virus.

Hawaii Defense

Outlook: Last year, the Warriors were mostly in the 45, a scheme featuring five defensive backs. Last year’s quarter (Hardy-Tuliau) — a rover-like hybrid — is this year’s free safety. That opens the way for Edwards to play boundary corner on the narrow side of the formation. Hopkins, who sat out last season because of s pelvic injury, is the quickest Warrior (1.6 seconds in the first 10 yards). Although the Warriors advertise as a 4-3 defense, they often run 3-4 concepts. For instance, Masch, a converted defensive tackle, is the physical strong-side end usually found in a three-man front. Falemalu is expected to create chaos as the weak-side pass rusher. In certain situations, Laurel becomes the elephant (a linebacker positioned as a rush end). Meatoga and Tuipulotu, considered the Warriors’ best draft prospect, are space-eaters who draw double teams. Linebacker Aaron Brown’s suspension actually allows the Warriors to play a bigger defense, with Paredes moving to weak-side linebacker and Daily-Lyles starting in the middle.

Hawaii Specialists

Outlook: Although Under Armour discontinued its leather kicking shoe, Dunnachie managed to secure a pair, which his mother delivered from Australia on Friday. Dunnachie takes a size 12.5 shoe, but for punting, he wears a size 11.5, giving him more contact with the ball. That approach, plus a new swing, has helped Dunnachie in recent practices. The goal is a 45-yard punt (with no return) and 4.5-second hang time. This past week, he was booming 50-yard punts with hang times averaging 5.5 seconds. Ingram, who has not missed a start during his UH career, expects to be the long-snapper. UH promises to be more aggressive in going after the opposing punter and kicker. That unit has been nicknamed the "shark" squad. During a training-camp practice, John Hardy-Tuliau blocked four kicks in a row.

Colorado Offense

Outlook: For a smashmouth attack, the Buffaloes use a lot of formations. They have sets featuring two backs; two tight ends; one back and two tight ends; one back, a tight end and three receivers, and so forth. Deehan has sure hands and runs precise routes, but his value is as a blocker. He also can align in the slot, allowing him pre-snap shifts to create an overload. The linemen often are in a tight formation known as "snugs." It’s an NFL approach, with bunch formations. The theory is simple: It’s easier to create holes when blockers work in unison. Miller is the most effective blocker. He’s tall with a long reach, enabling him, in football parlance, to cover up a defender. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is familiar with the West Coast offense, a controlled-passing attack. If the Warriors cram the tackle box, look for the Buffaloes to spread their receivers. McCulloch is a tall wideout with speed. Stewart, whose nickname is "Speedy," is quick (4.43 seconds in the 40), and despite not wearing gloves, is sure-handed. Hansen completed a school-best 68.3 percent of his passes in 2010; he’s best on play-action throws.

Colorado Defense

Outlook: The Buffaloes slapped the 3-4 label on their defense (they ran a four-man front last year), but they are not locked into one scheme. To create a pass rush, Hartigan can slide down to the line of scrimmage. Rippy, Webb and Major also are physical enough to be used as run-stoppers. Last year’s starting cornerbacks took a combined 1,571 of 1,681 corner snaps; both are now in the NFL. During spring training, six competed at corner. The competition was cut by a third when Jered Bell (ACL) and Sherrard Harrington (hip) suffered injuries. Sandersfeld, a former walk-on, will start at left corner. He has played linebacker, safety and nickelback in the past. Henderson, who can run the 40 in 4.49 seconds, opens at right corner. Those are key positions for the Buffaloes, who might play a lot of man coverage on the outside. Parker Orms, a backup cornerback, is the nickel corner. He should see significant action today.

Colorado Specialists

Outlook: O’Neill is the feel-good story. Born in Ireland, he moved to the U.S. when he was 2. His parents own an Irish Pub in Boulder. He taught himself to punt, earned a walk-on berth after acing a tryout, and beat out the incumbent for the starting punter’s job. Today will be O’Neill’s first organized football game since the eighth grade. The more important story is the Buffaloes’ coverage players. In CU’s scoring system that factors tackles and blocks, Jaffee produced a team-high 40 points in 2010. He had three solo tackles inside an opponent’s 20 and forced five fair catches. Derrick Webb was credited with seven tackles inside the 20. And Tyler Ahles had 12 knockdown or spring-loose blocks.