Initial observations from the CU Buffs’ 26-19 loss to No. 16 Oregon State at Folsom Field on Saturday evening.
Oregon State emphasized on running the rock: The Beavers made it clear in the first quarter that they were going to take advantage of the Buffs’ defense with the ground game. During Oregon State’s nine-play, 71-yard scoring drive, the Beavers ran the ball eight times for 56 yards. Backup quarterback Aidan Chiles ended the drive with a 23-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-0 lead with under two minutes left in the quarter. The Beavers had 84 rushing yards on 13 attempts in the first quarter.
After the Buffs held Oregon State to six rushing yards in the second quarter, the Beavers regained momentum in the run game in the third. On the Beavers’ first drive, running back Damien Martinez had 12- and 11-yard gains. Running back Deshaun Fenwick rushed for 17 yards then quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei scrambled for 15 yards before he powered into the end zone for a 1-yard score.
Oregon finished the game with 195 rushing yards on 46 carries.
Missed opportunities: The evening was sprinkled with missed opportunities for the Buffs. In the first quarter, Colorado cornerback Omarion Cooper had Folsom Field fired up after forcing a fumble that was recovered by safety Trevor Woods at Oregon’s State 38-yard line. Unfortunately for the Buffs, quarterback Shedeur Sanders fumbled on a scramble not long after that and the Beavers recovered.
After Oregon State was called for defensive pass interference with 11:27 to go in the second, Sanders had two passes that amassed for minus-8 yards then threw an incomplete pass, and the Buffs were forced to punt. Later in the quarter, Colorado’s defense forced its second fumble. Despite the Buffs having the ball at Oregon State’s 19, they had to settle for a field goal after a three-and-out.
The Buffs offense was a complete mess in the first half: Deion Sanders’ decision to give Pat Shurmur offensive play-calling duties didn’t bode well on Saturday. Colorado looked like a hot mess in the first half, recording 52 total yards. At one point in the third quarter, Oregon State had a drive that gained more yards than the Buffs had all game.
The Buffs’ performance in the second quarter was cringe worthy. They were outgained 96-2 and had minus-8 passing yards with Shedeur Sanders under constant pressure. Colorado’s clock management in the final seconds of the first half was the icing on the cake. The Buffs’ were pinned at their 4-yard line with 49 seconds left when they threw back-to-back incompletions before running back Dylan Edwards was stopped for no gain. Oregon State got the ball back and scored on a Uiagalelei touchdown pass to take a 14-3 lead at the half.
The Buffs didn’t hit their stride until the fourth when Sanders threw two touchdown passes to make it a 7-point game with 1:42 left.
Impressive drive in fourth: Colorado faced a second-and-34 when Sanders found the magic touch. He connected with wide receiver Omarion Miller for a 23-yard reception before Weaver’s 12-yard catch gave the Buffs a first down.
Sanders and Weaver hooked up again for a 36-yard completion to the Beavers’ 15-yard line. Two plays later, Sanders found wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who ran across the middle for a 15-yard touchdown reception, cutting the deficit to 23-12 with 10:41 left in regulation.
Colorado was ugly on offense for a good chunk of the game. But there’s no denying that the 9-play, 75-yard scoring drive was special to watch. It just came way too late.
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