Buffs Notes Vs. Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. — For the second week in a row, the Colorado Buffaloes found themselves struggling to find the end zone after getting to the red zone.

In last week's 35-30 loss to Arizona, the Buffs penetrated the 20-yard line four times, but tallied just two touchdowns and settled for two field goals in those trips.

But in Friday night's 45-3 loss to Oregon, the situation worsened. Colorado reached inside the 20-yard four times, but came away with just one field goal. CU's other three trips into the red zone ended on a turnover, downs and a missed field goal.

"Can't make mistakes," head coach Mel Tucker said. "Everything happens quicker in the red zone. You have to be very sharp. … Everyone's got to do their job on every play to have a successful play — and when that doesn't happen, you lose that play. At the level we're playing and the stakes we have, what we're going for — you make mistakes, you're going to pay for it."

Particularly painful for Colorado was a trip into Oregon territory late in the second half that saw CU with a second-and-goal from the 1-yard line. A penalty — one of 14 yellow flags against the Buffs — set CU back to the 6-yard line, but a pass put Colorado back on the 1-yard line on third down.

CU then ran what looked to be a run-pass option, with Steven Montez throwing incomplete, only to see another penalty called that Oregon accepted. On third down from the 11, Montez threw a pass that bounced off tight end Brady Russell's hands and was ultimately intercepted in the end zone.

Tucker said he wouldn't second-guess the play calling.

"I'm not in the second-guess business," he said. "I don't think that's a good business for me to be in as a coach. Looking at a game from a media standpoint or as a fan, when you don't have success, that's what's going to happen. But for me, I don't go down that road. I don't think it's productive."

STEFANOU TIES RECORD: Kicker James Stefanou tied the CU record, held by Mason Crosby, with his 10th consecutive successful field goal, a 27-yarder in the first quarter. But Stefanou missed a chance to break the record in the fourth quarter when his 33-yard attempt bounced off the right upright.

BUFFS BITS: Senior tight end Beau Bisharat and junior linebacker Akil Jones both had their first career starts. … Linebacker Marvin Ham II and offensive lineman Austin Johnson, both true freshmen, saw their first action as Buffs … Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. returned to action after missing last week's game with an injury, and finished with four catches for 70 yards. He also drew two pass interference penalties on Oregon defenders … Linebacker Nate Landman was credited with 14 tackles, including two for loss … It was the first time this year CU did not have a defensive takeaway, as the Buffs had at least one interception in each of the previous five games … It was the first time CU did not score a touchdown since a 28-0 loss at Washington State in 2017 … Freshman Mark Perry saw his most extensive time in the secondary and finished with three tackles.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu