Pat Shurmur speaks on the challenges North Dakota State’s defense presents

We are officially in Week 1 of the college football season, and the Colorado Buffaloes will kick off on Thursday against the North Dakota State Bison. Pat Shurmur, the Buffs’ new offensive coordinator, met with the media on Monday to discuss what the Bison’s defense brings to the table.

Shurmur was with CU last season as a special assistant but was elevated to co-offensive coordinator during the season. The former NFL play-caller is now working a full-time role with the Buffs entering his second season in Boulder.

Shurmur spoke on what he sees from NDSU’s film and what challenges the Bison D will pose for his offense:

“They’re a team that’s built on toughness,” Shurmur said. “They’ve got a rich winning tradition. They’re very fundamental in their approach, but they have enough wrinkles to keep you on your toes, whether it be pressures, simulated pressures. They will play some man. It’s just a cultural thing with them. They’ve got a lot of really talented players, All-Americans. But it’s also the sum of the parts. They play really, really good team defense.”

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.