Boulder – Another game, another field goal.
Another scoreless second half.
Another loss.
There are details, and then there are pieces. Colorado’s season, which has been said by players and coaches to be only a few details shy from being solid, is quickly falling to pieces.
Colorado dropped its third straight game Saturday 21-3 to No. 22 Arizona State before 47,723 at Folsom Field. It is the first time CU has lost three games to begin a season since going 0-4 to start the 2000 campaign.
The summary of problems hasn’t been different. The defense holds the opponent down for the most part, but there is little offense. In Bernard Jackson’s first game as the unquestioned starting quarterback, it was more of the same. Lots of drives. Few points.
CU has not scored more than 10 points in a game this season. It has not scored a point in the second half this season. Its 23 points for the year are the fewest through three games since 21 in 1964. If it’s this bad now, can it get worse?
Maybe.
No. 10 Georgia looms next – in Athens. And then a rejuvenated Missouri. Are those games winnable? Were they ever? What about Baylor after that? Right now, no game looks tantalizing anymore, and CU has to fight its emotions from letting the season spiral out of control.
“Doggone it, that was a game right there that you felt like if we get a couple of plays here or there, you got something going,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said. “We’re making strides, but those strides need to get bigger and faster and harder. We’re learning tough life lessons and tough football lessons.”
So much so that Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter had a quick postgame pep talk for the usually amped Hawkins.
“I just told him to hang in there,” Koetter said. “I’ve been where he’s at and I know what he’s going through. Dan Hawkins is a heck of a football coach. Colorado made a very wise choice when they hired him, and he’s just got to keep doing the things that he’s doing.”
The Buffs defense forced a fumble on Arizona State’s first series, giving the offense a short field. But despite the placement on the Arizona State 17, Colorado settled for a 29-yard field goal by Mason Crosby.
Then Arizona State went to work – enough to win, at least.
Using a surprisingly potent rushing attack that amassed 182 yards, the Sun Devils (3-0) controlled the ball and drove for two touchdowns, taking a 14-3 lead at halftime. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter wasn’t spectacular, but he was good enough to keep the Buffs defense from keying in on the run. He completed 21-of-37 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Meanwhile, Jackson continued his bumpy ride. He completed 8-of-18 passes for 86 yards, had one interception and was sacked five times.
“It’s just my first two starts at quarterback, and I have two losses,” Jackson said. “Obviously, I can get better. It took me four years to get here, and I’m getting better every week.”
A bright spot for the Buffs was running back Hugh Charles. The junior, who barely had been used in CU’s first three games, rushed for 109 yards on 20 carries.
“It’s obviously frustrating because you see improvements in all phases of the game,” said cornerback Terrence Wheatley, who had an interception. “A play here, a play there, you win the game. It’s like you see the prize, can actually touch the prize, but you can’t grab it. It’s frustrating.”
THE GRADES
Offense
D: Struggled at the start, but showed signs of life in the second quarter. Quarterback Bernard Jackson was good at times, but was inconsistent.
Defense
C: The front four, which had success against Colorado State, was pushed around most of the game by the Arizona State offensive line.
Special teams
D: The units were nondescript. Matthew DiLallo punted well, but the return coverage struggled. Mason Crosby made 1-of-2 field goals.
Overall
D: It was another tough contest for the Buffs, who seem to have perfected staying just close enough to hold interest, but never really being a threat to win the game.
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
