Buffs Film Room: Welcome Back, Jarek

While Brendon Lewis seems to be growing as a quarterback, the Colorado offense as a whole has woken up out of their early-season slumber and it should be no surprise to Buffs’ fans that Jarek Broussard is providing the late-season spark.

Things started off promising for Broussard and the Colorado offense in week 1 but shortly after both Broussard and the offense took a nosedive as points and first downs came at a premium.

While the Buffs took an L against UCLA, Broussard has found the spring in his step that resulted in him taking home PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2020. Registering at least 100 yards and at least six yards per carry the last two weeks, Broussard has woken up and he and the Colorado offense are looking to build momentum as this young team looks forward to 2022.

Broussard Brings Back Big Plays

Fans got their first look at Broussard’s big-play ability in last year’s abbreviated season. Breaking off multiple chunk runs and becoming the bell cow for the Buffs’ offense, Broussard’s game-breaking ability earned himself national recognition in 2020. This season has been a different story.

Broussard had only been given 15 carries or more twice in the Buffs’ first eight games but has come into form turning in performances reminiscent of 2020 against Oregon State and UCLA.

Broussard’s first big performance of the season came against Oregon State where he was crucial in the Buffs upset win against the Beavers.

The biggest play of the season thus far for Broussard was a crucial play to kick off this drive that led to a Colorado touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The play is power to the boundary but Broussard notices the defensive end crashing and the massive gap available on the backside and he’s able to burst through the line for 49 yards. A sight for sore eyes to Buffs’ fans.

Earlier in the game, Broussard showed flashes of his 2020 form through the use of his vision to hit the backside of runs.

This wide zone run to the field is executed beautifully by the offensive line and receivers when it comes to the blocking. Broussard’s feel for the zone blocking scheme and ability to hit the cutback full speed is what turns this run from a good gain of eight yards or so into a chain-moving run.

Again, Broussard hits the backdoor on this wide zone to the boundary and punishes the overcommitting overhang defender on the Bruins turning a good gain on first down into a chunk play that rewards a fresh set of downs.

Broussard reads the defense on this split zone as soon as the ball is in his chest and he’s able to bounce the ball outside. His cuts in the open field are fast but plays like this prove that Broussard’s mind and football IQ are able to operate just as fast as his legs.

The speed and elusiveness in open space that Broussard provides has not only become a source of big plays for the Buffs again but it has made the offense simply more functional and efficient overall.

Speed Spark Plug

It’s no secret that Broussard’s greatest trait is his ability to hit the hole at full speed and carry that momentum throughout the run whether it’s 50 yards down the field or through the chest of an opposing defender.

I would never call Broussard a power back, but he is able to turn his speed into power quite often and it simply makes the Buffs harder to defend when Broussard is running like himself.

Another impressive play from the win over Oregon State. The Beaver defensive lineman has nearly a 100-pound advantage over Broussard but by the time contact is made, Broussard has already built up enough speed to power through the defender and pick up a first down on 3rd and four.

While Broussard is able to make cuts on a dime and hit the backdoor on power, he demonstrates his ability to just hit the designed hole full speed here. The weakside linebacker oversteps his gap by just a step but Broussard’s speed forces a broken tackle at the second level and results in another chunk play and first down for Colorado.

Of course, plays like the previous two are not every-down things for Broussard. He has had his fair share of struggles this season like the rest of the Buffs’ offense, but he is one of the few offensive players that Colorado has right now that can turn the routine into something great.

When Broussard is playing at the top of his game, play calls like this stretch are entirely different when 23 has the ball as opposed to another running back. Gains of five or six can double as soon as Broussard steps on the field.

Another Buffs first down from Broussard just by being able to beat defenders to the edge and turning the corner.

Colorado’s chances of making a bowl and extending their season into the post-season are nearly zero, but Broussard’s resurgence along with the growth of young players like Brendon Lewis and Brenden Rice have given Buffs’ fans a sign of hope moving forward.

It’s been a tough year for Buffs’ fans as inexperience plagued the season early on but those growing pains are beginning to pay off.

It’s only a matter of time before we see Broussard, Lewis and Rice all produce at a consistent level and make Colorado football exciting again.