Woelk: Upon Further Review Of Buffs' Win Over CSU

BOULDER — Two weeks ago, in the wake of a disappointing season-opening loss at Hawai'i, CU coach Mike MacIntyre said learning to win was a "mental process," something the Buffs had to accomplish over a period of time, not overnight.

"You just need to do it, then you can do it again, do it again, and do it again," MacIntyre said. "That's what we need to make sure we take advantage of, to make sure we have a chance."

Two weeks later, it looks as if the Buffs may have started the process.

First came a 48-14 blowout victory over UMass, when the Buffs delivered one of the few knockout punches in MacIntyre's tenure at CU.

Then came Saturday night's 27-24 come-from-behind overtime victory against Colorado State. The Buffs erased a 14-0 deficit, battled back through a variety of other adverse situations, had their backs literally against the wall in overtime — and still won.

"It's a very important process," MacIntyre said Sunday, just after the Buffs had completed a light afternoon workout. "We really couldn't put anybody away last year. And then last year when we came back, we couldn't finish it. So we did two things that we did not do last year. We've been in those situations a lot, so I think the young men knew that it took that extra effort."

Sunday, the Buffs began preparations for next Saturday's home game vs. the Nicholls Colonels (11:30 a.m., Folsom Field, Pac-12 Networks). The Colonels, coming off a 20-10 loss to Incarnate Word, have now lost 20 straight contests. Simply, it's a game the Buffs will be expected to win.

But MacIntyre said he won't have trouble getting his team ready for Nicholls, whose last win came Oct. 12, 2013, against Southland Conference rival Northwestern State, 33-21.

"I think our guys will be ready," MacIntyre said. "It's not like we've won 30 games in a row. It's important for them to play well and respect everybody."

But before we turn the page completely, here's one last look at Saturday's Rocky Mountain Showdown win:

NUMBERS GAME: Saturday's win proved to be one of those rare times when the Buffs lost some statistical battles but still won the war. CSU actually had more rushing yards (218-125), more passing yards (282-220), more first downs (27-18), better third-down conversions (CU was 3-for-13, CSU was 8-for-18) and far more time of possession (36:43 to 23:17).

But one very key statistic was turnovers: the Buffs picked off a pair of passes, including one that Kenneth Olugbode returned for a touchdown, and did not turn the ball over to CSU once. The Buffs also did not give up a quarterback sack, making it the second week in a row CU did not have a turnover or allow a quarterback sack. It's only the 18th time in history the Buffs have managed such a feat — and the first time ever that it's happened in back-to-back weeks.

"We keep doing that, we'll keep winning MacIntyre said.

CALLING THE BLOCK: MacIntyre said CU safety Tedric Thompson told CU coaches he could block CSU's field goal attempt in overtime.

"He said, 'Coach, I can get it. I can get it,'" MacIntyre said. MacIntyre said Thompson noticed a weakness in CSU's scheme on the Rams' previous try, a 47-yarder that went wide right.

"He said. 'Let's go off the right side, I can get it,'" MacIntyre said. "So he got through there and hit it with both hands. A big play, to say the least."

Thompson hurdled a CSU blocker on the play and cleanly blocked the kick, setting up Diego Gonzalez's game winner for the Buffs.

"I knew I was going to be able to block it," Thompson said. "All I was thinking was I had to get off the ball quick."

Thompson practices his hurdle move against teammates Stephane Nembot (6-foot-7) and Sean Irwin (6-foot-3).

"When I get up against other guys, it's actually easier," Thompson said.

BIG DAY FOR SOLIS: Unofficial press box statistics credited CU defensive tackle Justin Solis with 10 tackles, including a pair of unassisted stops. Solis' total was third-best for the Buffs, surpassed only by Olugbode's 13 and 11 from Ryan Moeller.

"He played the best game he's played since I've been here," MacIntyre said. "I was really pleased. If Justin keeps playing like that, it will really help us. He was very physical in there."

EYES ON CRAWLEY: While most folks will remember CU cornerback Ken Crawley's second-quarter interception, his biggest play of the night came early in the third quarter when the Rams were threatening to drive for a go-ahead touchdown.

On a third-and-goal from the CU 7, Rams quarterback Nick Stevens went to his money receiver, throwing to Rashard Higgins just in front of the end zone pylon. Crawley reached in front of Higgins and batted the ball away, forcing the Rams to settle for a field goal and a 17-17 tie.

Higgins finished with some big numbers, catching 8 balls for 125 yards and a touchdown. But Crawley, who wasn't covering Higgins on the touchdown, won his share of battles with Higgins.

"Every receiver is going to make some plays," Crawley said. "But we also made some plays and made some turnovers."

Crawley was credited with seven tackles (five unassisted), one tackle assist for a loss and two pass breakups. He also had a huge stop in the overtime period, assisting Derek McCartney on the third-down tackle of Jason Oden that forced CSU to attempt the field goal.

DOWNFIELD BLOCKS: The Buffs have had two huge touchdown-producing downfield blocks in the last two games. Against UMass, it was wide receiver Lee Walker who produced a pancake knockdown that allowed Christian Powell to run for CU's final score of the day. Against CSU, it was defensive back Chidobe Awuzie whose critical block on Olugbode's interception return turned what would have been a good return into a touchdown.

Those are what coaches call "effort" plays, the kind that make a difference. If the Buffs continue to perform those kinds of chores, good things will happen.

SLOW-STARTING DEFENSE: The Buffs' defense has given up 66 points this season, an average of 22 points per game.

But the biggest damage by opponents has been done in the first half. The Buffs have yielded 46 points before intermission, including 14 in the first quarter in each of their last two games.

"We've just got to start faster," Thompson said. "We can't be putting the offense in hole like that."

Still, the Buffs are currently ranked No. 57 in the nation in scoring defense, roughly 50 spots ahead of where they finished last season.

TURNOVERS II: Colorado has now forced six turnovers this season (five interceptions and a fumble) while giving up just three. That's a far cry from a year ago, when the Buffs finished with 10 more turnovers than they forced. The five interceptions are two more than the Buffs had all of last season.

PUNTING IMPROVEMENT: Thanks in large part to a blocked punt in the first game of the year, the Buffs entered Saturday's game with one of the nation's lowest-ranked net punting numbers while CSU was ranked No. 1.

But freshman Alex Kinney and his cohorts acquitted themselves well Saturday. Kinney kicked seven times for a 39.1 yard average, and more importantly, pinned the Rams inside their 20 three times. CSU punter Hayden Hunt punted three times for a 44.3 average and had one inside CU's 20.

CU's net punting for the night was 35.3 yards while CSU's was slightly better at 37.7.

The two teams were relatively even in kick return averages (29.0 for CU; 30.3 for CSU). Both squads also had one field goal attempt blocked, but CSU kicker Wyatt Bryan also missed two other tries while CU's Gonzalez missed on one of his three other attempts.

SOLID NUMBERS FOR SEFO: While CU quarterback Sefo Liufau has yet to put up some of the eye-popping numbers that scattered his name throughout the record book a year ago, he's been very efficient his last two games.

Against the Rams, Liufau finished with a 143.1 QB rating, significantly better than CSU's Stevens (123). Liufau completed 15 of 28 passes for 220 yards and a pair of scores, bumping his numbers over the last two games to a very respectable 30 for 52 for 388 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Liufau also managed to run for 12 yards, and escaped a possible sack several times.

"He's more agile back there, and able to escape the sack a little bit better," MacIntyre said. "He made a couple great throws as he was getting hit, and his ability to escape and prolong a play and get a first down with his feet or get out of the pocket and be able to throw it away has been big for us."

Liufau is now fifth on CU's all-time passing yardage list with 5,523 (he passed Koy Detmer in the CSU game) and his fifth in all-time total offense with 5,831 (he passed Darian Hagan in that category).

ATTENDANCE: Saturday's Showdown attendance of 66,253 was the largest since 2008, when 69,619 witnessed the game. CU distributed 31,796 tickets while CSU distributed 31,601. The Denver Broncos, who get a share of tickets per the stadium agreement, distributed 2,856.

CU's numbers were lower than normal this year because season ticket holders had the option of trading in their CSU game tickets for other games at Folsom Field this year.

FIRST CATCH: Redshirt freshman tight end Dylan Keeney's first reception was very nearly one he'd never forget. Keeney hauled in a 28-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, only to have the play called back because of a penalty.

Keeney did, however, finally get his first catch, a 23-yarder in the fourth quarter. At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Keeney has great speed for his size and it won't be a surprise to see him be targeted by Liufau more in the future.