What You Need To Know: Buffaloes Vs. Gophers

COLORADO (1-1)
vs. MINNESOTA (1-1)

KICKOFF: 11:01 a.m, Folsom Field, (50,183)

TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Network with Roxy Bernstein (play-by-play) and Lincoln Kennedy (color commentary). KHOW (630 AM) will carry the broadcast with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson on play-by-play, Gary Barnett providing color commentary and Andy Lindahl from the sidelines.

ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com or via the KHOW (khow.iheart.com). Live statistics and a continuously updated in-game blog will also be available at CUBuffs.com.

THE COACHES: Colorado head coach Karl Dorrell is in his second year at the Buffs' helm. Last year's Pac-12 Coach of the Year, Dorrell is 5-3 at CU and 40-30 overall as a head coach. P.J. Fleck, in his fifth season at Minnesota, is 27-20 with the Gophers and 57-42 overall in nine seasons as a head coach.

THE SERIES: Colorado leads the all-time series 3-0. CU won the last encounter, 21-20, in 1992 in Minneapolis when freshman quarterback Koy Detmer came off the bench to help the Buffs overcome a 17-0 deficit.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Buffs have a chance to collect a win over a Big Ten team and a chance to head into Pac-12 play with some solid momentum.

LAST OUTING: The Buffs dropped a tough 10-7 loss to then-No. 5 Texas A&M last week. Minnesota beat Miami (Ohio) 31-26.

TEAM LEADERS: The Buffs are led offensively by reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year Jarek Broussard, who has rushed for 145 yards and two TDs on 27 carries. Freshman QB Brendon Lewis has thrown for 191 yards and a touchdown and has also rushed for 120 yards. Tight end Brady Russell and wide receiver Dimitri Stanley both have four receptions

Defensively, returning All-Pac-12 linebacker Nate Landman has 14 tackles (two for loss), with four third-down stops and three pass breakups. Defensive back Mekhi Blackmon has nine tackles and has produced two takeaways (interception and fumble recovery), safety Isaiah Lewis has 10 tackles and linebacker Guy Thomas has a pair of sacks.

For the Gophers, quarterback Tanner Morgan has thrown for 317 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. Running back has 224 yards and two touchdowns and WR Dylan Wright has eight catches for 130 yards and a pair of scores. Defensively, LB Mariano Sori-Marin has 16 tackles (1.5 for loss) and LB Jack Gibbens has 10 stops.

KEY MATCHUPS: Colorado's defensive line vs. Minnesota offensive line. The Gophers have a big, experienced and deep offensive line that sets the tempo for a punishing, time-consuming ground game. The Buffs must stop the run game early, force the Gophers to the air and collect some early three-and-outs.

UP NEXT: The Buffs open Pac-12 play next Saturday when they head to Tempe, Ariz., an 8:30 p.m. matchup with Arizona State (ESPN2/U).

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu