Buffs Open November With Road Game Against Bruins

PASADENA, Calif. — Maybe a change in the calendar can change the fortunes of Mel Tucker's Colorado Buffaloes.

It certainly can't hurt.

After suffering four straight losses that left the Buffs winless in October, CU has a chance to flip the script Saturday and begin a November to remember with a 7 p.m. (MT) game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl (Pac-12 Network).

New month, new results?

That's the plan for the Buffs (3-5, 1-4), but UCLA (3-5, 3-2) has suddenly become a much more formidable foe than early season results suggested they might be. After losing their first three and five of their first six, the Bruins have won their last two and now have designs on a Pac-12 South title.

It means the Buffs will have to clean up the issues that have led to their recent skid and find a way to close out a win.

"It is a game of inches," Tucker said. "You can always point to, in any game, plays here and there that you think would have made a difference. How do you make those plays? How do you make one more play? It really goes back to the little things: the preparation, attention to detail, sense of urgency, how hard you play, and just the overall execution. The better the execution you get on a consistent basis the better the plays you are going to make. That is how you get those inches."

The Bruins have been good at gaining those inches. They are averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground over their last four games, and their defense has been solid, particularly in the last two games.

"They're really hanging their hat on being able to run the ball," Tucker said. "That opens up everything for them. They've done a good job. They're playing hard. They've got some guys that are getting better. They've got a young offensive line that's coming together and they know who they can count on, and they have a really good scheme packages. They're playing with confidence and they're playing hard."

Colorado's recent woes have included a long list of issues Tucker and his staff are eager to fix. Penalties, missed assignments and missed opportunities have all contributed.

In short, the Buffs must eliminate their self-inflicted wounds.

"We have to do 'simple' better," Tucker said.

After two games in which the Buffs finished with just 13 total points, CU's offense bounced back last week in a 35-31 loss to Southern California. But even then, they left some points on the field when penalties and other miscues ended some drives prematurely.

"When you do the simple things right, it helps everybody on the team," said quarterback Steven Montez. "It helps the offense, it helps the defense and it helps the special teams. But when you're stressing out and trying to do a little bit too much, like trying to make a big play or trying to be the hero, that's when you make mistakes and that's when you make mental errors."

While UCLA's defense has had some good performances in recent weeks — the Bruins held Stanford to just one offensive touchdown in a 34-16 win — they have also given up some big numbers in Pac-12 play. They allowed nine touchdown passes by Washington State — and still won, 67-63 — and also gave up five touchdown passes in a 48-31 loss to Oregon State.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: Colorado's front seven against UCLA's run game. If the Buffs can keep the Bruins' run game in check and force UCLA to the air, CU has a chance to force some turnovers. The Bruins have given the ball to the opponent 14 times this year, with seven interceptions and seven lost fumbles.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. The CU standout had season highs in catches (nine) and yards (171) last week against USC, including a season-best 71-yard touchdown reception. The Buffs need Shenault and Montez to connect again on a regular basis against UCLA's secondary.

THE SERIES: The Bruins lead the all-time series, 10-4, but Colorado won last year's matchup in Boulder, 38-16.

NUTS AND BOLTS:

Kickoff: 7:10 p.m. (MT), Rose Bowl (80,606)

Broadcast: Pac-12 Networks will carry the telecast with Ted Robinson on play-by-play, Yogi Roth on color commentary and Lewis Johnson on the sidelines. KOA 850 radio will carry the broadcast with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson, Gary Barnett and Andy Lindahl.

In-game live blog, stats: A live in-game blog as well as continually updated statistics will be available on www.CUBuffs.com

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu