Buffs Notes: QB Liufau Celebrates Return With Win Over Rams
September 03, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
DENVER — Ten months after he had to have help getting off the field, Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau returned to action.
And other than a nasty shot to the head in the fourth quarter, his return to action Friday night was a successful one. The Buffs senior threw for 318 yards and a touchdown in Colorado's 44-7 win over Colorado State, a game that also saw Liufau set the CU record for most career passing yards (7,715).
The most important number to Liufau, though, was one — as in one win in the season opener.
"It means a lot," Liufau said. "You can do all the talking that you want as a team but once the real bullets start flying, it's really put up or shut up. I think for the most part tonight we did a really good job of going out there and putting our best foot forward."
Liufau showed little signs of rust from his long layoff, one forced by a Lisfranc foot injury suffered last Nov. 13 against Southern California. The injury also forced him to miss CU's spring practices, but he hit the ground — or air, to be more exact — on a roll against the Rams, completing 23 of his 33 attempts. He had a 17-yard touchdown pass to Devin Ross, and also added a 60-yard completion to Shay Fields and a 46-yard toss to Bryce Bobo, both of which set up CU touchdowns.
"My goal was to come back and play," Liufau said. "I wanted to play with these seniors and the guys I came in with. To be back out here and playing again is surreal. But that feeling is over now. My foot feels great and I just want to go out there and play and win some more games with these guys."
Liufau also finished with 66 yards rushing on 14 carries. But he also fumbled twice. One was recovered by center Alex Kelley in the end zone for CU's first touchdown of the game; the second was recovered by CSU. The second also saw Liufau stay on the field for several counts, leaving many in the crowd wondering if he was injured.
Liufau, however, did walk off under his own power and returned for the next series.
"I should have gotten up faster," Liufau said. "I was just really upset with fumbling the ball because that will really cost us in a bigger game. I will definitely cut back on those. I shouldn't have anymore."
CU head coach Mike MacIntyre, asked if he thought about taking Liufau out earlier, said, "We were moving the football and we haven't been in that situation a lot. There was still a whole fourth quarter left in the game. He should have slid on the hit he took in the fourth quarter, which is something we've been working on with him."
Liufau now owns 77 CU records — he also broke the CU record for all-time offensive plays, reaching 1,356 — and his 50th touchdown pass put him 10 away from tying the career mark for touchdowns.
BIG GAME FOR ROSS: Buffs wide receiver Devin Ross had eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. The catches and yards were both the second-most in his career.
Ross' touchdown, a 17-yard reception, gave the Buffs a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. On the play, he received a great block from fellow wideout Bryce Bobo.
"Coach (Darrin) Chiaverini stresses that more than catching the ball or running the ball," Ross said. "Bryce had a great block on my touchdown so I give him props for that. I appreciate him because it would not have happened without him."
QUICK HITS: Kicker Diego Gonzalez became the 49th player in CU history to score at least 100 career points (he now has 103) with his three field goals and five extra points. … Chidobe Awuzie recorded his third career interception. … Bryce Bobo had a career-high 99 yards receiving. … Running back Phillip Lindsay moved from 49th to 45th on CU's all-time rushing list (1,139 yards) and into 25th for all-purpose yards (2,521). … Tedric Thompson's seventh career interception moved him into a tie for 22nd on CU's career list. … 13 players made their first career appearance for the Buffs, including: true freshmen RB Beau Bisharat, WR Johnny Huntley III, WR/CB Tony Julmisse; redshirt freshmen SN J.T. Bale, TE Chris Bounds, DB Lucas Cooper, OL Aaron Haigler, OG Tim Lynott, DT Brett Tonz; sophomores LB Drew Lewis, DB Daniel Talley; and junior WR Kabion Ento. … Six different players caught at least two passes for the Buffs.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
