Colorado’s newest Hall of Fame coach has his eyes set on improving the run game
Mar 14, 2025, 10:55 AM
Back in February, Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes hired Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk to the CU coaching staff with one goal in mind, improving the run game. Faulk is the third Hall of Famer on the Colorado staff, joining Sanders and Warren Sapp.
On Thursday, Faulk spoke publicly for the first time as a Colorado coach and emphasized how important a successful rushing attack is to the success of the team.
In 2024, the Buffaloes were the worst FBS team in the country rushing-wise, as they averaged just 65.2 yards per game. In 2023, the team was 111th in the nation with 109.4 yards per game.
“If you not trying to improve then you’re getting worse,” Faulk said. “… Even if I came in here and we were coming off being top-10, top-five, I’m still looking at where can we improve.”
Faulk knows a thing or two about running the football, as he is has the 12th-most rushing yards in NFL history (12,279) and is one of just 10 players to rush for at least 100 touchdowns in their career.
“I can’t change what you thought about the run game last year,” Faulk said. “But, we’re going to be better. I can guarantee we are going to be better.”
The Buffs didn’t get a single new running back from either the Transfer Portal or high school heading into spring ball, as Sanders and the rest of the staff liked what they saw from the likes of Isaiah Augustave and Micah Welch. However, Colorado picked up seven new offensive lineman in hopes to improve the blocking schemes.
Faulk emphasized the importance of winning the battle in the trenches.
“[The] team who wins the line of scrimmage wins the game,” Faulk said. “That’s it. That’s always going to be the case. If you can dominate the line of scrimmage, you’re going to win the game.”
Faulk has a tall task in front of him, but if anyone can turn this abysmal run game around, it’s the guy with a gold jacket.
Spring practice continues for Colorado as the Buffs gear up for the Black & Gold Spring Football Game in April.
