Darrin Chiaverini certainly can’t hide from the ugly numbers being produced by the Colorado offense these days.
CU’s offensive coordinator is confident, however, that growing pains will pay off at some point.
“I knew that with a young quarterback making his first college starts there would be some growing pains,” Chiaverini said Wednesday. “You mix in some really good competition and some good defenses (on the other side) and we’ve struggled. There’s no question that we’ve struggled.”
The Buffs (1-3, 0-1 Pac-12) host Southern California (2-2, 1-2) on Saturday at Folsom Field (Noon, TV: Pac-12 Network) with hopes of turning it around soon.
Through the first four games, CU is tied for 127th nationally in scoring (13.8 points per game) and it sits 128th in total offense (239.0 yards per game). The Buffs are also 128th in passer rating (88.72). In all three categories, the Buffs are last among Power 5 conference teams.
Chiaverini, in his sixth season with the program and third overall as play-caller, cited youth several times in explaining why the offense is struggling.
Quarterback Brendon Lewis is a second-year freshman who has four career starts under his belt. The Buffs are also relying on several freshman receivers (Brenden Rice, Montana Lemonious-Craig, Chase Penry and Ty Robinson) and a freshman left tackle (Jake Wiley).
The offense also features several veterans, including on the offensive line, at running back and tight end, and with receivers Dimitri Stanley and Daniel Arias.
“There’s a lot of young players playing,” Chiaverini said. “We’ve got some veteran interior pieces (on the line), but there’s a lot of youth around them. And so we’re going through some growing pains, there’s no question, and playing good competition is kind of showing those growing pains.”
As a quarterback, it’s Lewis in the spotlight, though, and his struggles have been glaring throughout the season. He’s 37-for-73 (52.1%) for only 313 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He has finished with 89 passing yards or less in three consecutive games while averaging 3.6 yards per attempt in those games.
“It’s not like when we had Steven Montez or some other veteran guys that have played three or four years,” Chiaverini said. “He’s a young quarterback. (Backup) Drew Carter is a young quarterback. There are two freshmen scholarship quarterbacks right now and we’re trying to build game plans and build practice scripts to develop these players for this year and for future years.
“I think you see it around college football, you see it in the National Football League when young quarterbacks are playing and there’s the development process. There’s steps that need to be made, and (Lewis) has gotten better each week. He’s gonna continue to get better. I am seeing growth from Brendon; I really am seeing growth.”
Chiaverini said he doesn’t feel limited as a play-caller because of the youth at quarterback, but said, “You’ve got to know what you’ve got. You’ve got to know, as a coordinator, where you’re trying to take this thing.”
CU had one of the worst offensive games in program history on Sept. 18, racking up just 63 total yards in a 30-0 loss to Minnesota. Last week, in a 35-13 loss to Arizona State, the Buffs showed improvement, scoring on three possessions and finishing with 250 yards.
“I think we did a better job last week against Arizona State of running the football and helping Brendon, and then he’s making some plays, as well,” Chiaverini said. “We’ll continue to do that and he’ll grow as the season goes on. You’ll see his growth from week to week.”
While the Buffs struggle, the fan base is frustrated, in particular with Chiaverini, who is charged with figuring out how to put more points on the board.
“When we’re playing well, I’m going to get a lot of credit. When we’re not playing well, I’m gonna get a lot of criticism,” Chiaverini said. “Same thing with (head coach Karl) Dorrell. We’re all in this together as coaches, as players. Our job is to coach them hard and see development, but … we’re gonna have some growing pains right now with a young quarterback who’s had four starts and he’s going into his fifth start. I know everybody’s quick to judge but we have to understand where we’re at and where we’re trying to go and it’s going to take a week to week progression and having those growing pains and taking the next step.
“It’s a young group that’s taking baby steps. We’re all invested in this thing together because we will get there. I know people are frustrated, but we all will get it there.”
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