Buffs Defense Aims To Continue Takeaway, Fourth-Down Trend

CU's Mustafa Johnson has 2.5 sacks and has had a hand in two takeaways this season. (Joel Broida)

BOULDER — Along with four "conventional" defensive takeaways this year, Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre likes to count fourth-down stops by his defense as a turnover.

MacIntyre has a point. Such stops not only result in CU's offense getting the ball back, it also means the opponent didn't punt. That can mean as much as a 40-yard gain in field position.

So far this year, Colorado's defense has produced four takeaways — two interceptions and two fumbles — with the offense converting three of those into touchdowns. That includes a pair of fumbles in the first quarter of last week's 33-28 win over…