Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Ready For Showdown With Rams
September 19, 2015 | Football
DENVER — Finish.
If there's been one overriding, overarching point of emphasis for the Colorado Buffaloes since the day fall camp began, it's been that: finish.
Finish every play, every quarter and every game. It's what the Buffs didn't do last year on too many occasions, a season in which they allowed fourth-quarter leads to melt away in five different games.
But of all those painful losses — including a pair of double-overtime defeats in Pac-12 play — none may have stuck with the Buffs more than a 31-17 loss to in-state rival Colorado State, a game Colorado led 17-7 in the third quarter and 17-14 in the fourth.
Memories of the loss have gnawed at the Buffs ever since. They're reminded about it on a regular basis by classmates, teammates, coaches — and just about anyone else who has even a mild interest in the game.
Saturday, they finally have a chance to make amends when the two teams meet at 5 p.m. at Sports Authority Field (CBS-CS).
"The best way for me to explain it is you win or lose this game … for the next 365 days your hear about it," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said.
It will be the Showdown debut for new CSU head coach Mike Bobo, but he's already been indoctrinated as to the importance of the game.
"Since I got the job in January, everywhere I've been, everyone has talked about this game, what it means, how important it is that we play CU," Bobo said.
CU holds a commanding 62-22-2 all-time lead in the series, and has won six of the last 10, but the Rams have wins in two of the last three.
The past, though, is secondary to what is most important for this year's squads: both are 1-1 with one victory over an overmatched opponent and one disappointing loss, and both need a win Saturday to provide a little momentum as they move closer to the beginning of their conference schedules.
"It's a huge game for us," said CSU wide receiver Joe Hansley. "I'm 2-1 against CU. It's the Buffs. It's always fun to go out and compete with them; it's always a great game to play in and the atmosphere will be great."
A crowd well in excess of 60,000 is expected, although the all-time attendance record for the game — 76,219 in 2003 — is not believed to be in danger.
"The crowd is really into it on both sides," CU quarterback Sefo Liufau said. "They play a factor in the game. People are flying around, energy is high throughout the game. It's just a big atmosphere. … Hopefully we can come out and play as well as we did last week."
The Buffs enter the game on the heels of a dominating 48-14 win over UMass, one in which they rushed for 390 yards to boost their two-game total to 605. Michael Adkins II leads the Buffs with 209 yards on the ground, and the surprising No. 2 rusher thus far has been quarterback Sefo Liufau, who has run for 117 yards, including the first rushing touchdown of his career last week against UMass.
After a year in which the Buffs set a multitude of passing records, the powered-up running game has come as a bit of a surprise. But MacIntyre said they'll keep emphasizing the run until someone forces them to go to the air more often.
"Coming off last year, teams are trying to defend the passing game," MacIntyre said. "They're not supporting the run as quick, and we knew that would happen. … I'm pretty sure teams will start loading the box up more and we'll have to make some more passes."
One trend the Buffs certainly want to continue is their ability to force turnovers. The Buffs have already recorded three interceptions this year — matching last year's total — and recovered a fumble. They've also converted three of those four turnovers into points (two touchdowns and a field goal).
That's a concern for the Rams, who have already handed the ball over to the opposition nine times, including four turnovers in last weekend's 23-20 overtime loss to Minnesota. After starting quarterback Nick Stevens tossed two interceptions in the game, Bobo turned to backup Coleman Key. Bobo said earlier this week that Stevens will likely start again, but he's made it clear the Rams can't continue giving the opposition extra possessions.
"It is a concern," allowed Bobo. "It happens when you have young quarterbacks, but it's still a bit more than I'm used to. Hopefully, we're done with those for a while."
Injuries have been a problem for both teams. The Buffs lost starting left tackle Jeromy Irwin for the season (knee) in the win over UMass; CSU star wide receiver Rashard Higgins has been hampered by a sore ankle and his status for Saturday's game is still up in the air.
Redshirt sophomore Sam Kronshage will start for CU in Irwin's place. While Kronshage does have some significant playing time, it will still be the first start of his CU career.
Of all the historic numbers attached to the series, the one statistic that might be most relevant in Saturday's game is this: CU holds a healthy 8-1 edge whenever the game is not the first contest of the year.
The Buffs, though, aren't as concerned with history as they are with writing the next chapter.
"Every loss from last year has stuck with us," linebacker Kenneth Olugbode said. "We have to start fast and finish strong. I think we're all really ready for this one."
