Woelk: 10 Takeaways From Buffs' Win Over Cornhuskers

BOULDER — Just two games into his tenure in Boulder, Colorado coach Mel Tucker has already established a standard that won't be easy to surpass.

Saturday's thrilling 34-31 win over Nebraska will almost certainly go down as one of the more entertaining games in Folsom Field history. While it is always best to take a deep breath when attaching such status to any particular game — an editor once told me "CU history didn't begin when you decided to start paying attention" — it was no doubt a compelling afternoon under the Flatirons.

Not only did the Buffs overcome a 17-0 deficit, they did it against a long-time, nationally ranked rival in front of a sold-out crowd. They did it with big plays on both sides of the ball, they were the dominant team down the stretch, and there were no fluke moments involved. Colorado survived some NU haymakers, then simply body-punched the Huskers into submission. By the final whistle, CU had beaten or matched the Cornhuskers in just about every key statistical category (including the scoreboard), and the fact that the win came in overtime only added to the drama.

That's entertainment.

But by the time you read this, CU coaches and players will have turned their full attention to next Saturday's matchup with Air Force at Folsom Field (11 a.m., Pac-12 Network). If you want to know what kind of challenge the Falcons present, just look at Saturday's Army-Michigan game. The Wolverines were stretched to the limit by Army, needing two overtimes to finally squeak out a win on their home turf.

To put it in simple terms, games against service academies scare the dickens out of Power 5 schools.

But while CU staffers are already hip-deep in dissecting the Falcons and their option offense (AFA threw just one pass — ONE — in its opening win over Colgate), we have the luxury of one more look at the victory over Nebraska.

Our weekly list of takeaways:

1. Tucker's emphasis on conditioning and owning the fourth quarter has now paid off two weeks in a row. Want to know how important Colorado's offseason conditioning program is? Here's what wide receiver K.D. Nixon had to say after the game:

"I'm going to tell you the truth — we won back in summer workouts," Nixon said. "We had the hardest summer workouts I've had in my life. So credit to the strength staff, credit to coach Tucker for telling them do that … I don't think anybody outside this football team could play with the Colorado Buffaloes. I guarantee you anybody on another college football team would quit because it's just how hard it was, and we all stick together and that just showed in the fourth quarter. We didn't win today, we won back in summer workouts. Back when Coach Tucker came in December 5th."

That change of culture didn't happen overnight. It took strength and conditioning boss Drew Wilson to implement the change and continue to drive it home. It took the players to invest in the change and put in the time and effort.

Then, it took a belief from the players in the third and fourth quarter Saturday that they were the better conditioned team. That trust in their preparation and training gave them the confidence to keep hammering away at the Huskers — and in the end, it was Nebraska that wilted.

2. Along with the big stars, the supporting cast played a huge role for the Buffs. Every Buffs fan will remember Steven Montez's 375 yards and two touchdowns passing; Mustafa Johnson's three quarterback sacks; Nixon's 96-yard touchdown reception off a flea-flicker; Tony Brown's 26-yard TD catch; and James Stefanou's clutch field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime.

But there were plenty of other Buffs who contributed big plays in key moments:

Sophomore wide receiver Jaylon Jackson eclipsed his career receiving yards total on one play, a 57-yard reception from Steven Montez that set up CU's third touchdown of the day. Jackson also had a 14-yard run on a reverse to help put the Buffs in position for their first score of the game … Senior OLB Nu'umotu Falo had two big fumble recoveries … Senior OLB Alex Tchangam had two sacks (both on the same series) … OLB Davion Taylor had an outstanding day with eight tackles and two pass break-ups. Taylor is a terrific athlete who is just beginning to get fully comfortable in CU's new defensive scheme. As that comfort level grows, so will the number of plays he makes … DB Mekhi Blackmon had a huge sack and forced fumble … Alex Fontenot had 42 yards rushing and 20 yards receiving … Safety Mikial Onu continued to show a nose for the ball, adding a forced fumble Saturday to his two interceptions in the season opener … And, we can't forget inside linebacker Nate Landman, whose solid play we've come to expect. Landman was credited with 14 tackles Saturday, and was a force in CU's big third-quarter defensive turnaround.

No doubt, we didn't name everyone here. But the bottom line is CU has a nice complement of players who can make key contributions at critical moments.

3. Colorado's offensive line came up big in the second half. Buffs O-line coach Chris Kapilovic said it best after the game: "They grew up before our eyes. They trusted their training and technique and wore (the Huskers) down."

Indeed. After allowing three sacks in the first half — a half in which Colorado also finished with zero rushing yards — the Buffs' offensive line dug in and pounded Nebraska after halftime. It didn't happen right away, but the cumulative effect was an inexorable breaking down of NU's front seven. Colorado did not allow a quarterback sack in the second half and opened up holes in the line that allowed CU to establish a run game. If you are looking for a group that has made the biggest strides since last year, the O-line would be a great place to start.

4. Colorado's defensive line also continued to make strides. For the second week in a row, D-line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh's men in the trenches were the better bunch in the second half.

A week ago, they helped clinch the win over CSU with a dominant fourth-quarter effort that included two sacks. Saturday against the Huskers, it was six second-half sacks and an outstanding effort against the run.

CU's defense was particularly stout in the critical third quarter — one in which the Huskers could have put the game away by building on their 17-0 lead. Instead, the CU defense forced four consecutive NU punts while allowing just 40 yards total offense on those four possessions, a stretch that gave the Colorado offense time to finally find its legs.

A key up front continues to be depth. The Buffs are using a rotation of at least six D-linemen, which means the starters have relatively fresh legs in the fourth quarter. That increases the chances of those game-changing sacks and turnovers, which is exactly what happened against a worn-out NU offensive line in crunch time.

5. Takeaways and turnovers are critical. For the second week in a row, Colorado won the turnover margin battle, and once again, it had a critical effect on the outcome of the game.

Saturday, the Buffs came up with three turnovers — two fumble recoveries and an interception. The first recovery ended a Nebraska's drive in the first half; the second put Colorado in position for a game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter; and the interception ended a last-gasp attempt by the Huskers to get into position for a game-winning field goal in the final seconds of regulation.

Unlike the opener, the Buffs weren't perfect in the ball security department. Montez did have an interception in the first half and Laviska Shenault Jr. fumbled after a long kick return in the fourth quarter. But both of those turnovers combined to yield just three NU points.

6. Montez continues to bounce back just when the critics are hitting a crescendo. A week ago, the CU quarterback's first-half performance against CSU had the social media world grumbling. He silenced the gripes with a strong second half.

Saturday, that grumbling jumped up a few decibels after a tough first half for the CU offense, with more than a few folks — including some in the press box — suggesting that a QB change might be in order.

But by game's end, the critics were magically back on the Montez bandwagon. The CU senior finished with 375 yards and two touchdowns, including a masterful fourth quarter in which he dropped a perfect pass to Brown for the game-tying touchdown. It was a throw few quarterbacks can make and a catch few receivers can handle, but both Buffs made it look easy.

Truth is, CU's first-half troubles Saturday were by no means all Montez's doing — remember the three sacks and no run game — and for the most part, he made good choices (aside from the interception).

Then, when he had the opportunity, he made big plays. By just about any measure — turnovers, passing yards and scoreboard — he outplayed Nebraska's Adrian Martinez, a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate. As Tucker said, "You have to be able to make plays in critical situations and have a competitive greatness. Be at your best when your best is needed."

The bottom line is Montez is getting better. He is making better decisions, learning how to run a pro-style offense and becoming more of a pure quarterback. No doubt there will be mistakes ahead, but there will also be more eye-popping moments.

Montez will have the opportunity to be a next-level player. It will be fun to watch him develop as his final year with the Buffs progresses.

7. Tucker truly believes in Colorado. As CU's head coach continues the process of returning the Buffs to relevancy, it will become more and more important to remember that Tucker had other opportunities prior to taking the Colorado job.

But he waited for the right time and the right place. Saturday, he reiterated some of the reasons he waited.

"We have great pride here and great tradition," he said in his opening statement after the game. "We have great facilities. There is not a better place in America to be a head football coach, in my opinion. We had some big-time recruits here and they could really feel the passion in this place, in this community and on this campus. It was a great day for the Buffs. My hat goes off to our entire organization and our administration. It was a team effort by everyone involved."

8. In return, CU athletic director Rick George believes in his head coach. After the game, a Pac-12 commentator tweeted that Colorado's AD was "going full Ric Flair."

George was indeed excited and animated in the post-game tunnel and locker room, exclaiming time and again, "THAT'S how you play Colorado football! That's what Colorado football is all about!"

But George can't be blamed for his enthusiasm. Since he arrived, he has gone about the business of turning the CU Athletics ship in the right direction — and just like an ocean liner, it's not a navigational move that can be performed in a flash. It has taken time, effort and an unrelenting perseverance on his part. He has greatly improved facilities, academics fund-raising and student-athlete health and well-being; and he's made sure the Buffs have remained competitive in as many sports as possible.

But the hiring of his first football coach at CU was no doubt a critical crossroads — and even though it is obviously early, it looks as if George guided the Buffs down the right path. Tucker is a crucial piece in George's overall master plan, and the initial returns are certainly strong.

9. The Buffs can't survive slow starts forever. At some point in the next few games, one of two things is a likely occurrence: the Buffs will have another slow start and won't be able to overcome a deficit; or they will start fast and be in control from beginning to end.

No doubt we would like to see the latter. It is never a good idea to repeatedly tempt fate — and it would be nice to see Colorado put together a complete game. While the last two games have come against rivals, they have yet to come close to seeing the best teams on their schedule.

Which brings us to …

10. The fact the Buffs haven't had a beginning-to-end strong performance is intriguing. We have seen in stretches how good this team might be on both sides of the ball. They have been dominant at times — the defense in the third quarter Saturday, the offense in the fourth — but by no means have they put together a 60-minute consistent effort.

If and when that happens, it will be interesting to see how good this bunch might be.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu