Colorado
4-0 , 1-0
UCLA
0-4 , 0-1
Montez, Buffs Throttle Bruins With Strong Second Half, 38-16
September 28, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said all week he expected a battle Friday night when the UCLA Bruins paid a visit to Folsom Field.
MacIntyre's prediction came true — for a half.
But when the Buffs finally took control, they did so with a vengeance, pulling away from a 16-14 deficit early in the third quarter to score 24 unanswered points for a 38-16 victory in the Pac-12 opener for both teams.
Colorado improved to 4-0 with the win, the first 4-0 start by the Buffs since 1998. UCLA, meanwhile, fell to 0-4.
The Buffs struggled for a half, hurting themselves with penalties on both sides of the ball. But when they found their rhythm in the second half, the Bruins had no answer.
Colorado put together touchdown drives of 75, 67 and 63 yards after halftime, and added a 51-yard march for a field goal as well.
CU quarterback Steven Montez had an outstanding night, doing damage with his arm and his legs. The Buffs junior completed 22 of his 26 attempts for 237 yards and a touchdown, and also ran 11 times for 81 yards and two scores, including a 35-yard scamper in the fourth quarter that gave CU a 38-16 lead to salt away the win.
Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., meanwhile, had another terrific performance. The nation's leading receiver in yards per game and receptions coming into the weekend did nothing to hurt those numbers, finishing with 12 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. His 57-yard touchdown reception in the first half gave him a touchdown catch in four straight games and he also carried the ball five times for 18 yards and a score.
Colorado's defense, meanwhile, enjoyed a stellar second half. After giving up a touchdown and two field goals in the first half, the Buffs allowed the Bruins just one more field goal the rest of the night — and that on their first possession of the second half.
"I thought in the second half the offense and defense made good adjustments," MacIntyre said. "Hats off to our coaching staff. I thought our kids came out in the second half and kept playing and playing."
HOW IT HAPPENED: After a see-saw first half that saw the Buffs trail in the first quarter for the first time this season, CU came back to hold a 14-13 lead at the half. UCLA then drove for a field goal on its first possession of the third quarter and the Buffs trailed 16-14.
But the Buffs then regained control and never looked back.
CU regained the lead by driving 75 yards on seven plays to go back ahead, using a little trickeration in the process.
The biggest play of the drive was a 31-yard throw from wide receiver Jay MacIntyre to running back Kyle Evans that gave the Buffs first-and-goal at the UCLA 9. MacIntyre took a long lateral to the right from Montez, then threw back across the field to Evans near the left sideline for the gain.
Three plays later, Shenault scored from 1 yard out on a direct snap and James Stefanou's PAT gave CU a 21-16 lead with 7:45 to go in the third quarter.
The Buffs never trailed again. CU's defense followed the score with a three-and-out defensive stop that led to a 67-yard scoring drive from the offense. Montez completed two passes for 10 yards to MacIntyre and Shenault on the drive, then had a spectacular 11-yard scramble on third-and-5 that gave the Buffs a first-and-goal from the UCLA 6-yard line. One play later, McMillian scored from 6 yards out and a 28-16 lead.
"It was just another play," Montez said. "The guy kind of got on my back, I tried to duck and he slid right off. There was pretty much nobody else out there. … It wasn't like that was the play that won the game. It was just another play in the game."
But UCLA coach Chip Kelly pointed to the run as a game-defining moment.
"We may have had him sacked and get them out of field goal range and it's a whole different ball game," Kelly said. "But he was able to shake our guys off, stays on his feet and ends up getting a first down in the red zone and they score on the next play."
CU then forced another Bruin punt and reaped a field goal on its next possession for a 31-16 lead before the defense produced another three-and-out. The Buffs then put the game away for good with a 63-yard scoring drive that finished with Montez racing untouched 35 yards to the end zone. Stefanou's PAT gave CU a 38-16 lead and the game was over for all intents and purposes.
For the first time this season, the Buffs did not score on their opening possession, instead coming up short on third-and-1 and being forced to punt
When the Bruins then put together an eight-play, 47-yard scoring drive with their second chance with the ball, it also marked the first time this season the Buffs have trailed in the first quarter. UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson ran for 17 yards on third-and-13 on the drive, and the Bruins tacked on another 15 yards on the play thanks to a personal foul on the Buffs. Five plays later, Thompson-Robinson hit Michael Ezeike with an 11-yard scoring pass for a 7-0 UCLA lead.
Colorado then answered with a 5-play, 85-yard scoring drive, with the bulk of the yardage coming on a 57-yard Steven Montez pass to Laviska Shenault Jr.
UCLA took the lead again with a field goal on its next possession before the Buffs finally gained their first lead of the night.
After both teams traded punts, CU went 80 yards in 12 plays, using 5:51 in the process. The Buffs converted three third downs on the drive, including a 15-yard run from Travon McMillian and an 11-yard Montez pass to Kabion Ento. Montez then found the end zone on a 10-yard run to give the Buffs a 14-10 lead.
UCLA added a field goal before the half, and a last-ditch Colorado drive that reached into Bruin territory was ultimately stifled by a pair of CU penalties. That sent the Buffs into the locker room at halftime with a 14-13 lead.
TURNING POINT: After Colorado scored a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, CU's defense forced its second three-and-out of the night. The Buffs then went 67 yards in 13 plays, using 5:45 in the process. Montez had 10-yard completions to MacIntyre and Shenault on the drive, then had his 11-yard scramble to set up McMillian's score and a 28-16 lead.
CU STANDOUTS: Montez completed 22 of his 26 attempts for 237 yards and a touchdown, and also ran 11 times for 81 yards and two scores. … Shenault had 12 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, a 57-yard scoring strike, and he also carried the ball five times for 18 yards and a score. … OLB Drew Lewis had eight tackles, two sacks and another tackle for loss, along with a pass breakup. … Buff back Davion Taylor had a sack and three tackles. … ILB Nate Landman had nine tackles. … WR Tony Brown had six catches for 77 yards.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Buffs are now 4-0 for the first time since 1998.
NEXT UP: The Buffs play at home again next Saturday when they host Arizona State in a 2 p.m. game at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Networks).
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Team Stats
UCLA 7, COLO 0
UCLA - Ezeike, Michael 11 yd pass from Thmpsn-Robinson (Molson, Jj kick) 8 plays, 47 yards, TOP 4:29
UCLA 7, COLO 7
COLO - Shenault, Lavis 57 yd pass from Montez, Steven (Stefanou, James kick) 5 plays, 85 yards, TOP 2:20
UCLA 10, COLO 7
UCLA - Molson, Jj 21 yd field goal 11 plays, 71 yards, TOP 4:03
UCLA 10, COLO 14
COLO - Montez, Steven 10 yd run (Stefanou, James kick), 12 plays, 80 yards, TOP 5:51
UCLA 13, COLO 14
UCLA - Molson, Jj 50 yd field goal 11 plays, 42 yards, TOP 4:33
UCLA 16, COLO 14
UCLA - Molson, Jj 40 yd field goal 6 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:01
UCLA 16, COLO 21
COLO - Shenault, Lavis 1 yd run (Stefanou, James kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:51
UCLA 16, COLO 28
COLO - McMillian, Trav 6 yd run (Stefanou, James kick), 13 plays, 67 yards, TOP 5:45
UCLA 16, COLO 31
COLO - Stefanou, James 41 yd field goal 6 plays, 51 yards, TOP 2:59
UCLA 16, COLO 38
COLO - Montez, Steven 35 yd run (Stefanou, James kick), 5 plays, 63 yards, TOP 3:01
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
