Buffs D Comes Up With Big Plays

BOULDER — Two big takeaways by the Colorado defense in Saturday's 48-14 win over UMass helped silence some of the criticism that came CU's way in the wake of the Buffs' season-opening loss at Hawai'i.

The first takeaway may have been the most important play of the day for the Buffs. With just under five minutes to play in the second quarter and the Minutemen facing a third and goal from the CU 10, Buff safety Ryan Moeller intercepted a Blake Frohnapfel pass in the end zone.

The Buffs then capitalized on the play and put together an eight-play, 80-yard scoring drive, with Phillip Lindsay's 2-yard touchdown run giving CU a 31-14 halftime lead.

"That kind of changed the tone, because then we went down and scored and scored again," head coach Mike MacIntyre said.

Three plays before Moeller's interception, CU defensive back Afolabi Laguda had been ejected from the game on a targeting call. The setback could have thrown the Buffs off the scent of victory, but Moeller's play kept morale high.

"We faced adversity and didn't give it up," Moeller said. "We easily could have backed down being pinned in there and just gave up some points… having the short memory is definitely a huge thing."

The interception was Colorado's third after just two games. Last year, the Buffs had just three interceptions for the entire season.

The second momentum-shifting takeaway came on the Minutemen's first possession of the second half. On UMass' second play of the half, Shadrach Abrokwah broke up the middle for a 24-yard run, only to see CU's John Walker force a fumble on the tackle. Colorado defensive back Ken Crawley recovered, giving the Buffs possession near midfield.

Eight plays later, the Buffs again capitalized on a takeaway, with Sefo Liufau throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Spruce to give CU a 41-14 lead with 8:41 still remaining in the third quarter.

"We're stronger, we're more physical, and I think that's showing up," MacIntyre said. "We were able to not shoot ourselves in the foot and take advantage of some situations."

The victory was also a confidence builder.

"I know they're starting to believe in themselves," MacIntyre said.