Buffs Notes: Shenault's Big Day Vs. Falcons

BOULDER — Colorado's Laviska Shenault Jr. put up his best numbers of the young season Saturday, finishing with 149 yards total offense and two touchdowns in Colorado's 30-23 overtime loss to Air Force.

Shenault had been limited to just eight catches for 79 yards and one score in CU's first two games. But he matched that number in one game Saturday, hauling in eight catches for 124 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown. Five of his catches came on successful third-down conversions.

Shenault also ran the ball three times, taking the direct snap to rush for 25 yards and a touchdown, and he also converted a fourth down rushing.

Still, CU's offense sputtered for much of the afternoon.

"When we were moving, we were moving," Shenault said. "We were unstoppable. But the little things messed us up, kind of slowed us down."

Shenault's touchdown catch came on the opening possession of the game. He took a pass from Steven Montez, then broke three tackles en route to the end zone. He also had a big third-down catch on CU's second touchdown drive of the day and ran for 19 yards on fourth-and-1 on the drive. On CU's final scoring drive of the day, he added another third-down catch for 17 yards.

It was the fourth tie in his career that he has scored a touchdown rushing and receiving and the sixth 100-yard receiving game of his career.

Now, Shenault said, the Buffs have to go back to work and prepare for next Saturday's Pac-12 opener at Arizona State (8 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).

"We just have to come back hard and ready to practice on Monday," he said.

24-HOUR RULE: A week ago, CU head coach Mel Tucker gave the Buffs 24 hours to celebrate their win over Nebraska, then get back to work.

The same rule is in effect for a loss.

"The 24-hour rule applies, win, lose or draw," said safety Mikial Onu. "We're going to have the same focus. We're going to come back (Sunday), we're going to watch film and we're going to get better. We'll see what we need to improve."

FATHER-SON SCORING: Dimitri Stanley's 13-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter made him part of the fourth father-son duo to score touchdowns in CU history.

Stanley's father, Walter Stanley, scored five TDs for the Buffs' in 1981. Other father-son duos to score for the Buffs include Larry Brunson and Matt Brunson; Marc Walters and Ryan Walters; and Dick Anderson and Blake Anderson.

AFA THROUGH THE AIR: The Falcons threw just 12 passes Saturday, but quarterback DJ Hammond completed seven for 155 yards and two touchdowns, one covering 32 yards and another covering 81.

"They've been running this offense for so many years that they've got it perfected," said CU linebacker Akil Jones. "Then they rely on us to make a mistake, and that's when big plays happen. They'll just run you to sleep and then they'll hit you with the pass."

BUFFS BITS: Inside linebacker Akil Jones got the most extensive playing time of his career, spelling starter Jonathan Van Diest for much of the game. Jones finished with five tackles … Mikial Onu led CU with 11 tackles and Nate Landman was credited with nine … The Buffs did not record a sack for the first time this year … CU has now recorded 10 defensive takeaways, just five away from last year's total of 15 … Saturday marked the first back-to-back overtime games for the Buffs in program history. It's also just the fourth time in history the Buffs have had two OT games in the same season. CU is 7-9 all-time in overtime games … CU is now 3-17 when wearing black helmets … CU's lead in the all-time series with Air Force was cut to 12-5. The two teams meet again in 2022 on the Falcons' home field … CU linebacker Nu'umotu Falo recovered his third fumble of the season … CU kicker James Stefanou saw his streak of successful PATs come to an end at 78 when AFA blocked an attempt in the fourth quarter. It also ended a streak of 107 consecutive successful attempts by the Buffs.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu