{"id":420683,"date":"2026-08-30T00:56:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T00:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/420683\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T00:56:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T00:56:18","slug":"colorado-linebacker-liona-lefau-breaks-down-one-advantage-against-georgia-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/420683\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Linebacker Liona Lefau Breaks Down One Advantage Against Georgia Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Colorado Buffaloes are less than a week away from their season opener against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, Georgia. As preparation for the Yellow Jackets ramps up, the defense is already a few steps ahead.<\/p>\n

Playing against offensive coordinator Brennan Marion\u2019s \u2018Go-Go\u2019 offense on a daily basis <\/a>has given them extensive experience against a scheme that heavily utilizes the triple option and a mobile quarterback, similar to the Yellow Jackets. Colorado linebacker Liona Lefau broke down how the scheme has prepared them during his Thursday presser.<\/p>\n

How the \u2018Go-Go\u2019 offense has prepared the Colorado Buffaloes\"colorado<\/p>\n

Sacramento State Hornets head coach Brennan Marion listens to one of the assistant coaches yell at players on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The Buffaloes have been heavily utilizing the run in the \u2018Go-Go\u2019 offense. They often run 21 personnel with both running backs split out to one side for a lethal triple option. In addition, they\u2019ve been using quarterback Julian Lewis much more heavily in the run game than last season. Lefau commented on how these elements of the offense have prepared the defense for Georgia Tech.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s going to help us a lot,\u201d Lefau said. \u201cAny time you practice fitting in a plus-one run game, which is when you account for the quarterback as well, it challenges your rules at times. So just having the quarterback accounted for in each of our run fits, it helps when we prepare for a team like Georgia Tech, who we\u2019re expecting to run their quarterback. So we\u2019re going to make sure that we have the quarterback accounted for as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Colorado Buffaloes\u2019 struggles against Georgia Tech in 2025\"colorado<\/p>\n

Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Akelo Stone (7) tackles Colorado Buffaloes running back Micah Welch (29) in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Accounting for the run game will be crucial for Colorado in Thursday\u2019s game, as it was their Achilles\u2019 heel in their 2025 matchup.<\/p>\n

The Yellow Jackets\u2019 quarterback in that game was Haynes King, and he had a field day running the ball. He tallied a whopping 156 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. In addition, the Yellow Jackets\u2019 running backs, Jamal Haynes and Malachi Hosley, combined for 112 yards of their own.<\/p>\n

The trio wore down Colorado\u2019s defense and found even more success as the game went along. The Buffaloes found offensive success of their own, scoring 20 points, but their inability to stop the run ultimately cost them the game.<\/p>\n

Where the Colorado Buffaloes have improved since Week 1 of 2025\"colorado<\/p>\n

Linebacker Tyler Martinez drops back in pass coverage as the Aggies opened their season on Saturday night against the Bryant Bulldogs at Aggie Memorial Stadium. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

In addition to the \u2018Go-Go\u2019 offense helping Colorado be more prepared for Georgia Tech\u2019s offense, the Buffaloes have made a number of defensive additions that will help them slow down the run in the rematch.<\/p>\n

Most notably, Colorado\u2019s new linebacker core has proven ability<\/a> to penetrate the offensive line and fly to the football on linebacker blitzes. Given defensive coordinator Chris Marve\u2019s mottos of aggression and violence, he\u2019ll be sure to dial them up with consistency to disrupt the backfield.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Tulane Green Wave transfer Santana Hopper and Appalachian State Mountaineers transfer Dylan Manuel have shined on the interior defensive line in practice.<\/a> Their additions will be welcome sights to Buffs fans after the results of this game a year ago.<\/p>\n

Sign up to our free newsletter<\/a> and follow us on Facebook<\/a> for the latest news.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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