Buffs At Oregon State: Facts & Figures

COLORADO BUFFALOES (1-5, 1-2 Pac-12)

at OREGON STATE BEAVERS (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12)

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Technically, Colorado last won a road game on Dec. 5, 2020, when the Buffaloes traveled to Arizona and took a 24-13 win in Tucson.

But that game was played in a virtually empty stadium due to Covid restrictions.

The last time Colorado won a road game in front of a hostile crowd came on Sept. 21, 2019, when CU took a 34-31 victory at Arizona State. Since then, the Buffs have dropped 11 in a row in true road environments (not counting the abbreviated 2020 Covid season).

Saturday, Colorado has a chance to halt the streak when CU travels to Oregon State for a 6 p.m. game at Reser Stadium. The Beavers' home field is currently undergoing a major renovation, with the capacity currently cut roughly in half to accommodate construction.

Still, OSU is 2-1 at home this year, with the only loss a narrow 17-14 decision to USC.

If history is any guide, Saturday's game will be a close one. The two teams have gone to overtime in their last two meetings, with Colorado taking a 37-34 victory in Boulder last year in two extra periods and the Beavers claiming a 41-34 victory in Boulder in 2018.

What you need to know:

KICKOFF: 6:10 p.m., Reser Stadium (26,561)

TV, RADIO: The radio broadcast will be carried by KOA (850 AM, 94.1 FM) with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth. KOA's coverage begins at 4 p.m. with the pregame show. The Pac-12 Network will carry the telecast with Roxy and Bernstein and Lincoln Kennedy on the call.

ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com, and www.850koa.com in the Denver-Boulder metro area. Live statistics will also be available at CUBuffs.com.

THE COACHES: Mike Sanford won his debut game last week as the Buffs' interim head coach, collecting a 20-13 overtime win against Cal.

Jonathan Smith is in his fifth year as OSU's head coach, where he has compiled a 21-30 record.

Sanford is 0-0 against Oregon State while Smith is 1-1 against the Buffs.

THE SERIES: Colorado is 6-6 against the Beavers, including last year's wild 37-34 win in Boulder in double overtime. The Buffs are 2-1 in Corvallis, collecting wins there in 2015 and 2017.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: Along with collecting a much-needed road win, the Buffs will also be looking to collect their first back-to-back wins since opening the 2020 season 4-0.

LAST OUTING: Colorado beat Cal last week, 20-13, at home in overtime. The Beavers ended an eight-game losing streak to Washington State with a 24-10 victory in Corvallis.

TEAM LEADERS: Freshman QB Owen McCown leads the Buffs in passing with 600 yards, but is still banged up after last week's game against Cal. Junior J.T. Shrout will get his third start of the season. Shrout is 30-for-67 for 301 yards, three touchdowns and one interception this season.

Daniel Arias leads CU in receiving with 18 catches for 295 yards and a score, but it was Montana Lemonious-Craig who dialed up career highs in last week's win against Cal. The sophomore had eight catches for 119 yards, including the game-winning 22-yard touchdown pass, and now has 13 catches for 168 yards this season.

Deion Smith leads CU in rushing with 243 yards on 46 attempts, but won't be available this weekend because of an injury. That will mean freshman Anthony Hankerson (35-140, 2 TDs) could be the feature back.

Defensively, the Buffs have been getting outstanding play from safety Trevor Woods, who has a team-leading 49 tackles and a critical pass breakup in the end zone last week against Cal. Linebacker Josh Chandler-Semedo has had 19 tackles in the last two games (44 for the season), including three tackles for loss against Cal.

The Beavers are expected to start Ben Gulbranson at quarterback. Gulbranson has led OSU to two straight wins, throwing for 391 yards and three touchdowns in the wins over Stanford and Washington State.

Freshman Damien Martinez has been the workhorse recently in the backfield. Martinez ran for 111 yards against WSU, giving him 339 for the season. In short-yardage situations, OSU turns to two-way standout Jack Colletto, who has six touchdowns this season on just 22 carries. Colletto has run for three touchdowns against CU.

Defensively, safety Kitan Oladapo leads what many consider to be one of the best secondaries in the Pac-12. Oladapo has a team-leading 44 tackles, including three for loss (2.5 sacks). Nickel Ryan Cooper has three interceptions and cornerback Rezjohn Wright and safety Jaydon Grant each have two interceptions.

KEY MATCHUP: Colorado's defensive line vs. OSU running backs. The Beavers are averaging 184 yards per game on the ground and love to eat up clock and set the tempo with their rushing attack. The Buffs have to contain OSU on first and second down and force the Beavers into third-and-long situations.

UP NEXT: Colorado returns home next Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. Homecoming matchup with Arizona State at Folsom Field (ESPNU).