Takeaways From Buffs' Game At Nebraska
September 08, 2024 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — The good news for Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes?
They don't have time to wallow in the disappointment of Saturday's 28-10 loss at Nebraska. Instead, the Buffs must immediately direct their focus to the second leg of their road trip rivalry stretch, next Saturday's 5:30 p.m. game at Colorado State (CBS).
The contest in what is sure to be another extremely hostile atmosphere is rapidly turning into a "must win" situation for the Buffs. CU must find the bright spots from Saturday's game and build on those — and quickly address the issues that have become areas of concern.
There were some positive moments in Lincoln. While the Buffs fell behind early Saturday and never really threatened to make it a close game, they did put together a solid second half, the second week in a row they were better after halftime.
Now they have to put together a full 60-minute effort.
Our weekly takeaways:
1. Pass protection must improve. Yes, this is obvious to anyone who has watched Colorado, but that doesn't make the situation any less important.
The Buffs have to create a safer environment for quarterback Shedeur Sanders. CU gave up six sacks at Nebraska — five of them on Sanders — while also allowing another five hits on the quarterback.
The result was Sanders not even finishing the game. Instead, he headed to the locker room late in the fourth quarter to get checked out after taking a blow to the head.
That kind of situation isn't sustainable. Sanders couldn't finish last season after absorbing 52 sacks — and many more hits — and the Buffs can't allow history to repeat itself.
CU's chances of success are dependent upon Sanders staying healthy and having the opportunity to connect with his outstanding group of receivers. If he doesn't have that opportunity on a steady basis, CU's climb becomes a much, much steeper hill.
2. Buffs must find a running game. Again, the obvious, but again an area that has to be addressed.
Because sack yardage is attached to rushing totals in college, Colorado's run game statistics are slightly skewed. Still, the fact is CU has yet to present any kind of threat on the ground this year. The Buffs are averaging 37.5 yards per game and 1.7 yards per attempt.
That's not enough for anyone to respect. Instead, it opens the door for defenses to pin their ears back and expend all their energy putting pressure on Sanders and the passing game.
At the same time, Colorado has to improve in short-yardage situations. The Buffs were stuffed on two fourth-and-1 attempts Saturday, with both coming at critical junctures (they finally converted a fourth down late in the game).
The first fourth down miss proved to be a key turning point. After NU's opening touchdown, a big return by Jimmy Horn Jr. put the Buffs in great position. But instead of moving in for the tying score, the drive stalled when CU failed to convert a fourth-and-1. That set the stage for a Nebraska punt deep into CU territory, a pick six and 14-0 NU lead.
Understand, the Buffs don't have to become a run game powerhouse. Their bread and butter is the passing game, as it should be. But if CU can't present at least the threat of a rushing game, the passing game is in peril as well.
3. Second half defense was a big plus. After Nebraska's offense scored three first-half touchdowns, Colorado's defense blanked the Huskers in the second half. The Buffs stopped NU on six straight possessions and at least gave CU faithful a spark of hope that the offense could come back.
The Buffs played well in the second half despite missing some of their standouts. Safety Shilo Sanders left early with an injury, linebacker Trevor Woods was ejected in the second quarter for targeting and defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo suffered an injury in the second half.
Now the Buffs need to figure out how to put that kind of performance together for four quarters.
4. Unforced errors still a problem. While the Huskers actually finished with more penalties (12) than the Buffs (9), seven of Colorado's flags came in the first half.
Nebraska had five first downs thanks to penalties and the Huskers' final scoring drive — the nail in the coffin at the end of the first half — was aided by two CU 15-yard mistakes.
Colorado's margin for error isn't big enough to allow for those kinds of errors.
5. Defense needs to take the next step with some big plays. After the game, Buffs QB Sanders asked the media a simple question: "How many times did (Nebraska QB Dylan) Raiola get touched?"
Answer: The Buff did not record a QB sack and according to Pro Football Focus, they managed to hit the NU quarterback just four times.
The Buffs have to get more from their pass rush. They had two sacks in the opener but they have yet to deliver consistent pressure off the edge.
CU's defense also needs to get into the takeaway business. Colorado has yet to recover a fumble or record an interception this season while the offense has turned it over three times.
The Buffs need some of those momentum-shifting moments.
6. Fast starts needed. The Buffs have trailed at halftime in both of their games. They have had to play from behind — and while they managed to come back against NDSU, they couldn't overcome a four-touchdown deficit at Nebraska.
Colorado has to apply pressure on the opponent and play with the luxury of the lead.
7. Buffs won't quit. Give Colorado full credit for not folding up the tent after being down 28-0 at the half. The offense found a way to move the ball, the defense held NU in check after the break and the Buffs continued to play hard.
That's a good sign that will provide benefits as the season progresses.
8. Buffs learned how to handle hostile environment. It's unlikely that CU will see a more unfriendly crowd this year. While it appeared as if the crowd might have had an impact early, the Buffs adjusted.
They'll see another enemy crowd Saturday in Fort Collins. Granted, the gathering won't be nearly as big — less than half of what they saw in Lincoln — but the level of hostility will be every bit as prominent.
Colorado won't be phased by the environment.
9. Buffs fans should enjoy every opportunity they get to watch Travis Hunter. Colorado's two-way star put another ironman performance on the board, playing 62 snaps on offense and 66 on defense (128 total).
He finished as CU's leading receiver with 10 receptions for 110 yards on offense and was credited with three tackles — one for loss — and a pass breakup on defense. Pro Football Focus had him as Colorado's highest-graded player on both sides of the ball. He is a generational talent the likes of which we might not see again for a long, long time.
10. There's plenty of season left. We just checked to make sure — the sky isn't falling. The Buffs have 10 games remaining, including nine conference games. There is plenty of time to address the issues that have arisen and plenty of time to improve the areas in which they are playing well.
While next Saturday might carry "must win" designation, the game also presents a great opportunity for the Buffs. There's no reason to think they can't take advantage.
