PFF hands out Week 2 pass-blocking grades for Colorado's offensive linemen
For all of the new players and talk of improved play, the Colorado Buffaloes' offensive line was dominated by the Nebraska Cornhuskers and their big maulers on the defensive front. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and backup Ryan Staub were sacked a combined six times in a disappointing 28-10 loss on Saturday evening.
While CU appeared to have made some strides in its season-opening win over North Dakota State, those good feelings faded after a third-down sack on the Buffs' opening drive in Week 2. Poor play along the line has been a consistent issue over the past two seasons and unfortunately, the Nebraska game was more of the same story. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) confirmed those feelings when it released its pass-blocking grades for Colorado's offensive linemen.
PFF grades every player on every play on a 0-100 scale, with 60 being average. Players start with a 60 grade every game and their score changes following each snap.
Here's how Colorado's five offensive linemen graded out in Week 2:
RT Tyler Brown
Pass-blocking grade: 34.4
Pressures allowed: 9
C Hank Zilinskas
Pass-blocking grade: 47.0
Pressures allowed: 3
LT Jordan Seaton
Pass-blocking grade: 51.9
Pressures allowed: 7
LG Justin Mayers
Pass-blocking grade: 66.5
Pressures allowed: 3
RG Kahlil Benson
Pass-blocking grade: 69.3
Pressures allowed: 1
Analysis
According to PFF, Colorado ended up with two linemen graded slightly above average and three below average. The two guards — Justin Mayers and Kahlil Benson — allowed the fewest pressures, which aligns with their play at their former schools.
Most of the pressures came from the outside, as tackles Jordan Seaton and Tyler Brown allowed too much heat from Nebraska's outside rushers. Seaton looked like a freshman for the first time this season and Brown struggled in space. The experiment to play Brown at right tackle looked better last week when he graded at 77.2 against NDSU.
Hank Zilinskas looked overmatched by the size and physicality of Nebraska's interior D-line. It's probably too early for change, but an easy one would be to switch Benson back to RT and Brown to RG.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: PFF hands out Week 2 pass-blocking grades for Colorado's offensive linemen
