The Colorado Buffaloes have seen improvement up and down the offensive line, though that hasn’t meant every single player has reaped the benefits.
Hank Zilinskas, who has started every game at center for Colorado this season, hasn’t finished two of his past three contests. Offensive line coach Phil Loadholt took to the microphone on Wednesday and addressed the sophomore’s struggles, particularly in snapping the ball.
“I don’t know what it is with him, maybe it’s a confidence issue or going on the road,” Loadholt noted of certain times Zilinskas has had poor snaps blow up plays for Colorado’s offense.
Freshman Cash Cleveland has been the replacement when trust in Zilinskas has been in doubt, and the freshman has taken his newfound opportunity and seized it. Cleveland allowed just one pressure in 51 pass-blocking snaps against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday and is has a serious chance of starting this weekend against the Utah Utes. Time will tell if Zilinskas is able to secure the starting spot once more.
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