Colorado University Athletics
Takeaways From Buffs' Win Over Rival CSU
September 15, 2024 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes took care of business Saturday night in Fort Collins.
CU's defense was dominant, the offense consistent and in a game where mistakes figured to be a major factor, the Buffs limited theirs and forced CSU into a host of errors.
Clearly, Colorado took a nice step forward in just about every phase of the game in the 28-9 victory.
Now, the Buffs need to continue that trend of improvement as they head into their Big 12 opener, Saturday's 6 p.m. Homecoming matchup with Baylor at Folsom Field (Fox).
The Bears will present an interesting challenge. A team that went just 3-9 a year ago has jumped out to a 2-1 start that includes a 23-12 loss to Utah and a 31-3 demolishing of Air Force. BU has displayed a potent offense at times but one also plagued by turnovers (six already this season), and a defense that has been up and down as well.
But the key for the Buffs will be their ability to continue to improve. Maybe the most encouraging sign for Colorado from Saturday's game proved to be their willingness to address the issues that cost them a win at Nebraska the week prior, make changes and move forward.
Thus, stock in the Buffs is once again at a solid "buy."
Our weekly takeaways from the Rocky Mountain Showdown win:
1. Colorado's offensive line showed big improvement. The CU coaching staff certainly didn't stand pat after giving up six sacks the week prior. The Buffs gave Phillip Houston the start at right tackle and moved versatile Tyler Brown from tackle to guard.
The result was a much cleaner pocket for quarterback Shedeur Sanders as well as a much-improved run game. The Buffs gave up just one sack — a meaningless slide for a loss by Sanders in the fourth quarter when the game was already well in hand.
Meanwhile, the O-line created decent lanes for a run game that produced 109 yards, including a nine-carry, 65-yard effort from freshman RB Micah Welch.
Overall, it might have been the best effort by an O-line in the Coach Prime era. Granted, CSU's pass rush is by no means the best the Buffs will see the rest of the year, and the Rams' game plan practically begged the Buffs to run the ball.
Still, if the group can continue to make strides, it bodes well for the offense.
2. Shoutout to CU defensive coordinator Robert Livingston. For a coach who has never called a defensive game prior to this season, Livingston is showing a terrific knack for making adjustments and putting his best players in position to be difference-makers.
The Buffs were a step ahead of CSU's offense virtually all night. Rams QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was ineffective, the CSU run game was not a factor and the Buffs offered an answer for everything Colorado State tried to throw their way.
The Buffs have now given up just nine points in the last six quarters of play. They produced four second-half takeaways — including three in a row to start the second half — and they also put good pressure on the Rams' passing game all night, including two second-half sacks.
Again, the Buffs will see far more potent offenses in the future. But Livingston is proving he has quickly adjusted to the college game and he is using the available talent in the best possible manner.
3. Yes, Travis Hunter is a legit Heisman Trophy candidate. If the Heisman is actually supposed to go to "the most outstanding player in college football," Hunter clearly belongs in the mix.
This year, he's had three straight 100-yard receiving games with five touchdowns. Defensively, he has 11 tackles, an interception and 38-yard return, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
Most impressively, he has played 388 snaps in three games and has arguably been the best player on the field at both positions in every game he's played.
If Heisman voters don't believe those numbers are at least in the conversation of "the most outstanding player in college football,'' they need to have their credentials revoked.
4. Shedeur Sanders is a magician when given time. Colorado's quarterback continues to prove that he doesn't have to have a pristine pocket — just enough time for his receivers to get open. If he gets that opportunity, he makes throws other quarterbacks only dream of completing.
Sanders dropped a half-dozen throws in a bucket Saturday, including 21-yard TD pass to Hunter in the corner of the end zone for the Buffs' fourth score of the night. He completed passes in the face of pressure, bought time with scrambles outside the pocket, and did not throw an interception.
Sanders is now 85-for-121 this season (70.5 percent) for 999 yards and nine touchdowns. He is spreading the ball to everyone on the field — 10 Buffs had at least one catch Saturday — and four Buffs are now in double-digit receptions for the season.
There are a host of good quarterbacks in the nation, and Sanders is clearly among the elite.
5. But the Buffs' offense is more than just Sanders and Hunter. As we mentioned, 10 different Buffs had at least one reception Saturday, with all four of CU's starting receivers catching at least four.
LaJohntay Wester had his best game as a Buff with seven catches for 80 yards and two scores. Will Sheppard hauled in seven balls for 61 yards and Jimmy Horn Jr. corralled four catches for 22 yards.
Overall, CU might have one of the deepest receiving corps in the nation and a quarterback who isn't hesitant to get the ball to any one of them.
6. Running backs took a nice step in the right direction. Even without heralded transfer Dallan Hayden (injury), Colorado's run game showed some promise.
Welch picked up 25 yards on his first college carry and proved to be a tough guy to bring down all night. He also had a pair of receptions. Isaiah Augustave, meanwhile, did his part with six carries for 31 yards.
Both also did their parts in pass protection. When Hayden returns, the Buffs will have options in the run game and the potential to continue putting some decent numbers on the board.
7. Defensive standouts were plentiful. Linebacker LaVonta Bentley is proving to be a bona fide thumper in the run game. He recorded a 90.7 grade from Pro Football Focus — Colorado's highest grade for a defender this season — that included a 95.3 against the run. He also had a huge forced fumble and recovery in the second half when CU was backed up against its goal line.
Also grading out well in the PFF scorecard were edge rusher Samuel Okunlola (80.6), cornerback DJ McKinney (77.1), edge rusher BJ Green II and linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (both at 76.5) and Hunter (74.7).
They are a testament to Livingston's promise to put his best players in position to make plays. His defense isn't complicated and he is also making great use of rotations. At least nine players got snaps up front Saturday, giving CU fresh legs in the trenches on a steady basis.
(By the way, if you're wondering about PFF offensive grades, QB Sanders checked in the highest at 88.7 while Hunter came in at 74.6. And, a very promising sign was the work of tight end Sav'ell Smalls, who had one catch for 13 yards and had an excellent game in the run blocking department to earn a 73.6 grade.)
8. Still some mistakes to clean up. In a game littered with 22 flags, the Buffs had far too many — 12 penalties for 115 yards. They didn't prove to be too costly, but those mistakes are still the kinds of errors that can make a difference in a close game.
The Buffs also missed a field goal and CU is now just 2-for-5 on 3-point attempts this year. Again, the FG miss didn't cost the Buffs on Saturday, but they will no doubt need a clutch kick in a close game at some point.
9. Turnover/takeaway margin is big. Colorado forced four CSU turnovers Saturday and gave the ball away just once.
While there were plenty of factors that affected the outcome of the game, it's hard to overstate the importance of this one. CU stopped CSU's first three drives of the second half with takeaways, effectively eliminating any hope the Rams had of a comeback.
Those are the momentum-producing kind of moments that the Buffs will continue to need as the season progresses. The fact that four different players had a hand in those takeaways is impressive, and a sign that CU is developing a takeaway instinct that will serve the Buffs well.
10. Buffs blocked out the noise. After one loss, media around the nation were rushing to stick a fork in Colorado. But instead of dropping their heads, CU players and coaches went to work. They addressed the issues, focused on improvement — and then delivered in what could have been a very hostile atmosphere Saturday in Fort Collins.
That's the kind of mature response that will be critical. Colorado is sure to face more adversity as the Big 12 season unfolds. The Buffs' ability to deal with that adversity and continue to move forward will be a very valuable commodity.
