Buffs Vs. Ducks: Quick Facts & Figures

COLORADO BUFFALOES (1-7, 1-4 Pac-12)
vs. No. 8 OREGON DUCKS (7-1, 5-0 Pac-12)

BOULDER — It has been nearly four decades since the Colorado Buffaloes beat Oregon in Boulder.

The last time? Try 1985, when a sack by CU's Mickey Pruitt on an Oregon fourth-and-goal try in the game's final seconds clinched a 21-17 Buffs victory.

Since then the Buffs have gone 0-4 against the Ducks in games at Folsom Field, including an 0-3 stretch since CU joined the Pac-12 in 2011.

Saturday, the Buffs have a chance to end that skid — but it won't be easy. In the words of coach Mike Sanford, "It's obviously a big challenge for us."

Indeed. After being embarrassed by Georgia, 49-3, in their season opener, the Ducks have reeled off seven wins in a row — all in impressive fashion, scoring at least 41 points in every win. Quarterback Bo Nix has thrown 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions in that stretch, and the Ducks are ranked in the top 10 in the nation in at least seven major offensive categories.

The Buffs, meanwhile, are still looking for some defensive consistency. After a 20-13 overtime win against Cal in Sanford's debut as CU's interim boss, the Buffs have lost two in a row, allowing 42 points in each game in the process.

What you need to know:

KICKOFF: 1:35 p.m., Folsom Field (50,183)

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 11:30 p.m. with the pregame show. ESPN will carry the telecast with Mike Monaco and Rod Gilmore 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: Sanford, previously CU's offensive coordinator, is 1-2 at the Colorado helm.

Dan Lanning is in his first year as Oregon's head coach and has a 7-1 record.

THE SERIES: The Buffs trail in the all-time series, 14-9, including a 4-6 mark in Boulder. Oregon has won seven of eight games between the two teams since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011, including the last two, and has scored at least 38 points in every matchup in that stretch. Colorado's only victory in Pac-12 play was a 41-38 victory in Eugene in 2016.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Buffs are one of five Pac-12 teams with just one conference victory and could move up out of the conference basement with a win.

LAST OUTING: Colorado lost at home to Arizona State, 42-34. Oregon overcame an early 10-7 deficit to collect a 42-24 victory over Cal.

TEAM LEADERS: Colorado quarterback J.T. Shrout has thrown for 729 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. Running back Deion Smith has 354 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Jordyn Tyson leads CU in receiving yards with 333 on 17 catches, including three touchdowns. Tyson also has an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown. Daniel Arias has 19 catches for 309 yards and a score and Montana Lemonious-Craig has 17 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, safety Trevor Woods and LB Josh Chandler-Semedo each have 68 tackles, with Chandler-Semedo owning 12.5 tackles for loss, including two sacks. Cornerback Nikko Reed leads the team in pass breakups with five.

For Oregon, quarterback Nix has thrown for 2,221 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Nix also has 11 rushing touchdowns. Three different Ducks have at least 440 yards rushing, led by Bucky Irving, who has rushed for 568 yards while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

Troy Franklin leads a host of big-play receivers with 38 catches for 595 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensively, defensive back Bennett Williams has 38 tackles while linebacker Noah Sewell has 36. Edge rusher DJ Johnson has six quarterback sacks while cornerback Trikweze Bridges has three interceptions.

KEY MATCHUP: Colorado's defensive line vs. Nix. The Buffs have to get pressure on the Oregon quarterback and limit the plays he makes with his feet (he has 441 yards rushing). If the Buffs can disrupt Nix, he can be forced into interceptions — but since the season opener, he's been very good in that regard.

UP NEXT: The Buffs head to Los Angeles next Friday for a 7:30 p.m. game against No. 9 USC at the Coliseum (FS1).

Colorado University Athletics

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